I’ve been doing holiday party shopping with clients recently, across a range of price points and dress codes, and here are some of the winners. Some casual, some formal, and lots in between. I’m enjoying the less severe and more playful approach to holiday dressing these days. There is a lot more emphasis on comfort and warmth, instead of the plethora of skimpy sleeveless dresses we’re used to seeing at this time of year. Do festive YOUR way. Some items come in petite and plus, and often there’s more than one colourway. Let the festivities begin.
- Calvin Klein Burnout Surplice A-Line Dress: If you like boho dresses and V-necks, try this frock and especially if you're tall. The fabric is lovely and the drape even better. Elegant and comfy, and works on a range of body types.
- Calvin Klein Plus Size Floral-Print Velvet Dress: A pretty and warm festive dress that has worked on a range of body types if you don't mind the high neckline. Better on a regular and smaller bust. Comes in regular and petites.
- Taylor Dresses Pleated Double Tiered Dress: VERY fun dress that looks better in person. It's flattering, and has worked well on most. It's SUPER cute layered with the gold metallic blazer from INC below. Size down.
- Alfani Shimmer Eyelash Pencil Skirt, Created For Macy's: A texture-rich eyelash skirt is fun to wear with an untucked welted sweater. It's soft, stretchy and comfy. Size down.
- DKNY Metallic Ruffle-Sleeve Sweater: This sweater looks better in person, and is best in the dark colours. Dramatic, dressy, yet warm and cosy. Fab over a skirt because of the structured welt. Size down.
- DKNY Flocked-Mesh Midi Skirt: A tulle skirt that lies quite flat against the body and is not overwhelming. Great length, very comfy, and looks fab with a short welted sweater. Size down.
- Anne Klein Anne KleinFabulist: Moderately comfortable if you can manage the heel height. The leather and metallic are softer than the satin versions. Not good on high volume feet. DAZZLING on the feet in the silver. Many colours.
- Whistles Carlotta Big Cat Print Long Sleeve Blouson Dress: GORGEOUS dress that works well on a smaller frame because the fit is on the narrow side. Beautifully made and fab in motion.
- INC International Concepts INC Metallic Blazer, Created For Macy's: Best metallic blazer of the year for the price. Works well on a broad shoulder line and a larger or smaller bust. Runs a size big.
- Lauren Ralph Lauren Print Georgette Dress: A chic and understated dress that has worked well on a broader shoulder and larger bust with a defined waist.
- L.K.Bennett Vera Navy Bow Neck Sparkle Jersey Top: If you like comfort and bow blouses - try this. It's soft because it's jersey knit, but looks as crisp as a woven. Best tucked or semi-tucked.
- L.K.Bennett Ruby Red Faux Fur Short Coat: Impeccable quality and an extra rich shade of red. Beautifully luxe, and stunning with dresses and skirts. Might run a size big.
- Drama Fringe Pant: I haven't seen these pants in person yet, but will somebody please buy them and rock them! The most fun fringe pants of the year.
- Reiss Keira Teal Silk Blend Top – REISS: A great dressy top for broad shoulders and looks as good untucked. Comes in caramel.
- Reiss Steph Dark Green Metallic Twist Front Jumper – REISS: A handy dressy pullover to wear over a skirt or high rise pants/jeans. Crisp, luxe and dainty. Fluid, yet structured. It poufs a bit from the side view, but not overly so.
- Reiss Harper Grey Cashmere Blend Drape Shoulder Top – REISS: Alluring Cashmere Sweater Fabness. It's long so click through the link to see the length and toffee colourway. Luxe, different, and would be mine if I didn't run so cold.
- Tory Burch Velvet Devore Dot Embroidered Top: An extremely pretty top that looks best tucked or semi-tucked and on a longer neck. Gorgeous quality. It would be mine if it was navy.
- J.Crew Slim stretch perfect shirt in Black Watch tartan: A repeat top pick that deserves another mention. I have a similar one from years ago, and it's great if you enjoy wearing button-down shirts. Classic, clean and versatile. I wear mine with white jeans.
- Talbots Velveteen Straight Leg Pants - Gingham: Velvet Gingham Fabness. They come in petite, regular and plus across straight and curvy fits. Full length on most. Lovely fabric.
- Calvin Klein Burnout Velvet Animal-Print Wrap Dress: Every client who has tried on this dress so far has loved it WHEN they like to wear a V-neck. From sizes 0P to 12, and many sizes in between. They all flirted around in the dressing room marveling at how flattering the dress is. It's magically structured, yet forgiving due to a great fit and luxe fabric. Great length, no need for shapewear, super duper drape. and very comfy. Covered yet alluring. Comes in petite and plus. Do not underestimate the power of a no-nonsense modern classic!
- INC International Concepts INC Beline Bow Sneakers, Created for Macy's: Mega Sneaker Bling Fabness. I smiled and smiled when I saw these. STINKING cute and comfy. Fun black graphic stripe at the back. Works on lower and higher volume feet. They are mine, but I had to insert lots of insoles and heel grips to make them fit my low volume feet.
- Ash ASHVirgin: Wearing metallic sneakers counts as festive! These work on lower and higher volume feet. Lower volume can add a cushioning insole. YES, they have zippers.
- Eileen Fisher Asymmetrical Hem Velvet Long Sleeve T-Shirt Dress: An architectural dress with lots of drape. It's beyond body type, and can work on most. Might run a size big and comes in three colours. Fun over skinny jeans or cigarette pants too. Or throw in some festive hosiery.
- COURT & ROWE Sequin Cheers Sweater: A cute way to say "bottoms up" from afar, and spread good cheer. Worked as well untucked over bottoms.
- Loulou Ear Crawlers: Glitzy and hard-edged crawler fabness. Comes in three metals.
- Jeffrey Campbell Luci Embellished Bow Bootie: These are a repeat top pick that are VERY fun on the foot if your feet aren't too fussy. They come in loafer form too. It's one way to add bling to an all black outfit. Not good on high volume feet.
- BaubleBar 'Kew' Crystal Collar Necklace: Fun Bauble Fabness to pile onto anything from a tee and pullover, to a dress, or the inside of an open neckline.
- ETTIKA Set of 3 Crystal Hair Clips: These look gorgeous in thick hair because they are quite bulky. Wear them instead of statement earrings.
- Vince Camuto Faux Wrap Sparkle Jersey Top: A comfy, versatile and festive top that has modern classic appeal. The gathering on the shoulder seams gives the front a nice bit of visual appeal. Works on an assortment of body types.
- Halogen Velvet Faux Wrap Dress: A classic that does not require shapewear because it's forgiving yet structured. Excellent on a curvy figure and bless the length. Dressy yet easy and comfy.
- ETTIKA 2-Pack Crystal Hair Clips: These look festive in all sorts of hair colour and are well made. If you wear your hair in a ponytail - add these to the mix on one side. They work well on fine hair, and aren't too bulky.
- Topshop Bonded Velvet Jacket: A GORGEOUS colour in crushed velvet, and very unique. Super cute worn buttoned and unbuttoned. Fun over a dress too. Does not run small. Rave reviews for good reason.
- Eliza J Faux Fur Crop Jacket: Fab bolero style jacket to top a sleeveless dress that you can keep on as part of the look. Gorgeous shade of blue.
- Boden Sackville West Floral Velvet Blazer: An impeccable patterned velvet blazer with a nod to Spring. Not good on a broad shoulder line because of the lack of stretch, but great on most. Unique and playful.
- L'AGENCE Velvet Blazer: A trendy classic forest green velvet blazer is a rare find. The cut is classic but the longer length is on trend. Luxe and beautiful. Dress it up or down. Read the rave reviews.
- Boden Adelaide Jewelled Flats: Extremely pretty on the foot if you can wear pointy-toe flats. Crisp and polished, but not that soft. Do not try these if you need cushioning shoes. Moderately comfortable.
- Boden Mabel Sweater: GORGEOUS metallic bronze sweater, which is unique. Dainty, refined, and will keep you warm on a dressier occasion. Very fluid fit. Fab for the holidays - but by all means wear it casually too. Works as well on broad shoulders as it does on narrower shoulders. Comes in three solids and a stripe.
- Boden Ellie Velvet Wrap Top: Super cute dressy yet very cosy velvet wrap top with a subtle puffy sleeve. Beautifully tailored, and quite forgiving on the midsection. Excellent on those who wear V-necks well.
- Boden Festive Fair Isle Sweater: If you're into very casual and cosy holiday knitwear, this one is super cute in both colours. Might run a size big.
- Banana Republic Modern Sloan Skinny-Fit Velvet Pant: If you like to wear sleek velvet pants with stretch and have a straighter bottom half - try these. I prefer the roomier fit of Boden's velvet pants for my own style, but several clients liked the Sloans, which also come in longs for tall gals.
- DKNY Pleated Velvet Pull-On Skirt: Gorgeous teal pleated VELVET skirt that is soft, twirly, and flattering because the pleats lie quite flat against the body. Comes in silver and might run a little big.
- Charter Club Dog-Print Crewneck Sweater, Created For Macy's: For Team Scottie Dog, and comes in grey with pink accents too. Might run a little small.
- INC International Concepts INC Women's Gannie Mules, Created for Macy's: Super cute on the foot when you don't have fussy feet because they are NOT soft and cushioning. They are nicely made and a steal at the price.
- INC International Concepts INC Embellished-Stripe Skinny Jeans, Created for Macy's: If you like casual skinnies and glam shine - try these. They work well on a curvier and straighter body type because they mould to the body.
Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.
