FT - knowing Smittie for longer than you have, I am confident in suggesting you have misunderstood her remarks. She of anyone would not comment like that .

I agree with lisa p.
Smittie, your outfit already looks fabulous, don’t forget to post a WIW, and enjoy the party.

Oh, Smittie--I agree! "Festivity"is a communal effort And on that note...I'm on my way out to find something a little more fun for a casual Christmas sing at a neighbor's house tonight.

Also, please do post a WIW!

Smittie, your outfit looks great. Enjoy the party! Idk if you like to dance, what you like to eat, how much you drink, whether you love Christmas songs or hate them, but I hope you can enjoy celebrating with everyone, even those whose preferences differ from your own.

I don't see anywhere in the OP that suggests that she won't enjoy celebrating with everyone. She just meant that she will not conform to the environmental norm. Angie often talks about this as well.

Happy Holidays everyone!

What a lovely dress, Smittie, and the shoes are very pretty!
How about red lipstick, if you like that kind of colour? That is an accessory too, as well as nails I think.
I look so much forward to seeing the final look!
Enjoy your party!

I think that Smittie was kidding around in her opening remarks about resisting the general trend towards casualisation in the workplace and elsewhere, which has often been discussed here. I appreciate it when people inject a little humour into their posts and I don’t think that Smittie’s remark was (or was intended to be) at anyone’s expense.
Smittie, you will look fab. I like the idea of big earrings and a blingy bag that breaks up the black.

I love the idea of red lipstick and nails (someone said that, right? - on my phone!) You’ll look lovely in your sparkles.

Geez, you're miles ahead of me sparkle-wise. Even if you don't change a thing, you'll feel fab and festive. But yes, I like the idea of adding in a pop of colour somewhere, either through make-up or an accessory. A coloured sash like JAileen suggests would be so fun.

I like to sigh about casualization too, even though I'm out almost every single day in jeans and a puffer. I could care less, really, what other people wear, but it is worrisome that events seem to feel less and less special. I think it's important to designate breaks from the quotidian and say, "No working, this is play." To me, that's the point of a dressing up for a party, especially an office party. Otherwise, it ends up feeling like you're still on the clock.

La Ped, I agree with you about breaking out of the everyday. Some people like to do that by dressing up; others like to do it by taking the pressure off, relaxing, and dressing down. Why should one look down their nose at the other? Sam in sweater and jeans just makes your sparkles shine more.

Oh please stop.

Love the black and sparkles. I'm big on color and pattern, but I also love the black on black textural monochromatic look. Enjoy the party Smittie!

Love the outfit! I like others' suggestions about a clutch in a different color (or a metallic, unless that clashes with the bangles) and some obvious earrings.

I have coloring like yours, and another option I sometimes take advantage of is colorful makeup. I think someone mentioned a red lip above...if you have a colorful lip (purple, even?), that will really stand out against the black.

I know what you mean about too-casual dressing at parties taking away some of the fun. I feel like it's important to have opportunities to get really dressed up. I have attended parties in the past where people were encouraged to dress in costume, and I noticed how happy people were if I had a really great costume. It really adds to the fun of the event. And we have so few opportunities in our casual culture to dress to the nines, so we need to take them when they come!

Gigi, exactly! Agreeing 100% with your last paragraph. Everything has become so much more casual, it's nice to have an excuse to dress up a little bit!

I agree dressing up for a party makes it seem more special. Love your outfit and I think the sparkles almost make it seem like a print, not plain black. I could definitely see it with dangly earrings or a colored clutch. What about a gold clutch and earrings?

There is a tendency to wear more casual clothing to holiday parties these days - it’s become the environmental norm. I’ve seen this happen to clients as I’ve helped them prep over the years. That said, you should not feel that you have to succumb to or defy the norm. If you want to dress up - dress up. If you don’t - create a relaxed look. This is 2017, and there should be no judgement EITHER way.

Smittie wants to dress up and defy the norm at her setting. Good for her. It will make her experience a nicer one - as it would mine. It makes the event more special somehow. She did not imply that others would be dressed badly because they will look more casual. That’s where things were misconstrued. I’m sure that Smittie has ample empathy for those who wish to dress less formally that her.

Hope you have a great time at the party.

You will look gorgeous in that outfit Smittie! I love the all-black look. There are lots of textures that make the look interesting. I would keep the black theme and paint my nails `Lincoln Park after Dark` by OPI which is a Purple/Black colour. Very rich and beautiful for a special occasion.

Whatever you decide to do have a great time at the party!

I suggest glittery earrings--and a shawl/wrap in offwhite, red, wine, cobalt blue or purple.

Hello!
I have been crazy-busy with shopping, Christmas and kid stuff. I was running around all day and then stayed up till 3am after the party.

About 5 guys from the Dallas office showed up in stetsons, jeans, cowboy boots, and belts with big buckles. It was fun to see real-life, non-ironic, cowboys up north! I must admit that in this case, having a relaxed dress code added to the party experience.

Attached you’ll see that I bought a silver clutch, CZ earrings, and purple sparkle nail polish. The clutch is a good thing to have in my dressy capsule.

Fab! And I bet it was fun to see real life cowboys!

Very nice, love all the sparkle!

Love the nails

Cowboys from Dallas? Aw, I got my boots right next door, in Fort Worth! But I almost never wore them in the panhandle, where there are many ranches, because I’d clearly have been playing dress-up. Sure had a lot of students wear them in my classes though.

Love all the sparkle, Smitty! Will we get to see if your full outfit?

Angie, thanks for backing me up about not looking down our noses at each other.

Brooklyn and Smitty, I’ve heard people tell others they should dress up many times, can’t recall anyone telling someone else not to, except defensively in response to pressure “I’m putting out effort, so you should too” “If it’s that much effort, don’t do it”. If the comments about it in the original post were intended as humor, I guess I’ve been sensitized by that.

LOVE the clutch and nails! It sounds like a fun party and I know you looked beautiful and festive.

Love the clutch. It’s chevron! And the nail polish. Glad you had fun and I bet you looked fantastic. Rock on!

Two thumbs up from me all around!

The nail polish and clutch are awesome! Sometimes it's those little details that can really elevate an outfit.

Love the clutch and the purple nails! Very fab! Sounds like a fun party.

NICE.