HO, HO, HOLIDAYS//

Well, it's the holiday season again and the crimes against fashion are rampant.  Every year, it shocks me; seeing people dressed like our friends above.  While it is hard to tell if these two lovebirds are being ironic or not, more often than not, the folks roaming around town dressed in their finest holiday sweaters and matching socks are just exploding with Christmas joy and the rest of us are left traumatized.  Dear clients and readers, please do not fall into this unforgivable trap this season.  Obviously, if you own any clothing Christmas themed that sparkles, burn it now.  Holiday fashion crimes reach beyond the dreaded sweater and sock set.  This time of year, there are a lot of parties and gatherings to attend and there are lots of ways to go wrong.  Wearing red to a holiday party is a little too obvious.  And trying to be shinier than the tree is a competition you will surely lose.  As a rule, mini length dresses that are too form fitting are what Hugh Hefner's bunnies wear at The Mansion, not what chic, sophisticated, modern women wear to celebrate with friends and family.  I think you get my point.
In general, there are two categories of holiday attire - the dress and the pants.  There are many ways to interpret these and some are more appropriate for holiday occasions than others.  I would dress myself and my clients in any of these looks - they are clean, chic, and fun without a hint of irony.  Happy party-going!

Antonio Berardi, Phillip Lim, Antonio Berardi

 The black dress always works.  Choices like this (velvet, lace, and small details) keep the black cocktail dress from being boring.  I love the Phillip Lim look with the white blazer and tan booties.  Mixing shapes and textures is always chic.

Jeremy Laing, Maria Cornejo, Dries Van Noten

 This is the kind of print you should go for as opposed to reindeer and Christmas trees! The colors here are vibrant but wearable.  These are three different looks but each one is chic and fun and perfect for a holiday party.  Because of the prints, these looks require little extra embellishment (have fun with the shoes instead).  I adore the maxi length - it adds a little edge and drama.

Prabal Gurung, Roland Mouret

A metallic cocktail dress is a great choice for many occasions, but for holiday it is especially appropriate.  The draping detail and colors here are gorgeous and chic.  Metallics can often look cheap - the colors must be muted and the material must be quality.  This Roland Mouret dress is perfection - the nude color leaves room for texture and other details the way most colors don't (except black).  Ah, the neckline and belt - greatness.  If you experiment with nudes, look for details like this.

Diane von Furstenburg, Isabel Marant

Depending on how you wear them, pants are always a modern and sophisticated alternative to a dress.  I personally prefer pants because they are more versatile and comfortable.  These looks achieve an effortless ease (note: I would remove the hat on the DVF look) but they are fun and party appropriate.  The embellishments here make the outfits - the jacket and the sequins give these looks life.  Don't knock sequins (especially pants!) until you try them - so hot!

Marc Jacobs, Dries Van Noten

Ok. These two looks make me drool. There is nothing chicer than the muted gray palette of Marc Jacobs with the loose trouser and the fur embellishment.  To pull off a muted palette like this, you must have a textured piece like the jacket and the silhouette of this pant works on everyone.  The way the Dries look mixes patterns is perfection - floral blazer with metallic detailed pant in a slouchy/narrow cut.  The print of the blazer give it femininity and the shine on the pants compliments that without competing.  This is menswear with a feminine edge and is perfect for parties.


photos from style.com