I posted this last week looking for guidance while shopping my closet for my work holiday party. As happens, several wrenches were thrown into the plan to wear look #2, a velvet tank dress under the metallic sweater, with my black patent cage heels with a fun zipper accent. Turns out the dress doesn't actually zip all the way up anymore (I'm sure it shrunk!) and when I examined my heels, the stiching was coming out in the toe area, which meant that they would undoubtedly give way at the most inopportune moment...so back to the drawing board.  Since a number of folks thought what I was wearing WAS a pencil skirt, I pulled out one of my work appropriate black pencils with pockets and it was perfect, with no extra layers under the sweater!  For shoes, I tried on my black Okalas, but felt the funkiness and matching metallic of my gunmetal crinkle Rag and Bone Newburys took the outfit into more interesting territory. As finishing touches, I added a long, dark faux jeweled necklace, my BCBG silver geometric clutch and Max Mara man coat for warmth. I told DH that it was the most comfortable (and probably stylish) I've ever felt attending one of these events. I may never bare my shoulders/arms again for holiday season!  Thanks to my crack team of advisors for taking me to the next level AND with no additional shopping WOOHOO!