Dressing for a holiday party can be tricky. Here in Wyoming, we have to contend with our sporty, outdoorsy style, the winter weather and wind, and the struggle with not wanting to buy something we won’t be able to wear very often. I’ve addressed these issues with my top five Christmas Party Essentials in this blog post.

1. Choose A Solid, Holiday Color Instead Of Sparkle: It is up for debate, but I have always argued that you do not have to wear sparkle and shine to have a holiday worthy outfit. Let’s face it, not everyone is a sparkle girl, and even if you are all in for shiny, these styles limit themselves to a Christmas or New Year’s Eve look. Unless you are going clubbing in Vegas, most of us don’t have much opportunity to wear sparkle in our every day lives. The problem with so many traditional Christmas looks that have a holiday flair is that they limit themselves from being able to be worn again for other holidays and special events. That’s why I like to advocate choosing a solid holiday color over sparkle. The color red, as an example, works not only for Christmas and New Year’s Eve but also for Valentine’s Day and the 4th of July. Whether you are attending a more formal event and needing a dress or a more casual event where a red blouse will do the trick, I like this color for its versatility.
2. Choose A Color That Flatters Your Skin: I’m also a fan of expanding the typical Christmas party color palate beyond red and green. First of all, those colors are not good on every skin type, and no matter how beautiful your outfit is, if the color is not flattering for you, the look will not work well. If you are warmed toned, for example, you have to choose a warm red, something that can be tricky to find this time of year, as most Christmas reds have a blue undertone. Similarly, warm toned people might have to get into the olive greens to find something flattering, and that doesn’t work very well as a holiday color. Personally, I love burgundy, rust, and pink for the holidays as an alternative to red. I also love black, white and grey, as these classic neutrals are ALWAYS classy. Additionally, I think winter white, cream and champagne are great options.
3. Don’t Freeze To Death: The trouble with Christmas party attire is it is often thin and slinky. Here in Wyoming in December, light weight fabrics are chilly. But, you can’t just solve this problem with any coat; you have to consider your outerwear when you are creating a party look. You wouldn’t want to put a down puffy coat over a dressy outfit. One option that works well is the vegan leather or real leather jacket. This can be layered over most dresses and looks amazing while still being a functional option for staying warm. Tights are another great suggestion for staying warm. They are much warmer than bare legs…brrrr… or nylons, which might as well be bare legs. A black tight can be paired with most dresses and will look amazing. I also love pairing leggings under trapeze dresses for a winter dress look that is practical.
4. Choose The Right Handbag: Party planners love standing tables or just having everyone stand and mingle. The problem with this, of course, is that you have to somehow manage your plate of food, your drink and your handbag. If you have a handheld clutch, you are in trouble. Make sure you have a crossbody handbag, a belt bag, or a clutch that can hang over your wrist. This will allow you to keep your hands free so you can actually be able to eat and drink.
5. Dress Up Your Look With Jewelry: You can make a basic outfit holiday party worthy with some dressy jewelry. This is the perfect place to go for sparkle. A lovely crystal pendant and bright silver chain with some crystal earrings will take an everyday outfit and make it party worthy. This is a lovely way to stay practical too. Instead of investing in a clothing item that can only be worn once a year, a clear crystal necklace and earring set can be worn for any dressy occasion. Adding some dressy heels or shoes is another simple way to elevate your look.

I have created a collection called Kyleen’s Picks that gathers together my favorite items in both dressy and casual looks that are in a variety of colors. I have also added my favorite jackets, handbags and jewelry. You can see that collection here: https://fashioncrossroadsinc.com/collections/kyleens-picks-for-the-week. If you want more information on this topic, watch my Wednesday Wardrobing Live Video tonight at 6 p.m. MST. You can watch that here: https://www.facebook.com/events/697964628974888/697964642308220