Holiday dressing
One invitation says creative black tie. The other says holiday attire. It’s no wonder we show up for holiday parties with that familiar, gut-wrenching angst: Is this dress too short for black tie? Should I be wearing jeans to the bosses’ holiday party? Is this sequin top too much for the neighborhood block party?
We turned to rules experts, style makers and store owners for tips on making it through the holiday party season with hardly a fashion faux pas.
Even they admit there are many categories for attire: black tie, creative black tie, black-tie optional, holiday attire, business casual, informal, semiformal, cocktail.
It’s OK if you don’t know the real meaning behind “black-tie optional” or “holiday attire.” These days, you have permission to call the hostess for more information.
Don’t be shy to ask what she’s wearing to the event, either. If she’s wearing a short dress to her black-tie function, you might consider a short dress too.
The trick is to keep it simple. Buy the great-fitting black dress rather than the sparkly red one or the sexy green. Then dress it up or down depending on the event.
Here’s a cheat sheet on fashion strategies to get you through the holiday season.
BLACK TIE:
The safe bet: A floor-length gown — the classic, stress-free choice, especially if it’s black.
You may also get away with : A ball gown, dressy pants with a beaded top, a long skirt with a cashmere sweater or crisp, white button-down.
Risky: A tea-length gown, a short, sparkly cocktail dress.
Your guy: Beg, plead, bargain — anything you can to get him into that dusty old tux or to the tux shop. Black-tie means black-tie, says Bruce Liles, owner of Liles Clothing Studio. If the invite says “creative black tie” he has more leeway, perhaps by wearing a velvet jacket, or the “Texas tuxedo” look with a formal jacket, jeans and boots.
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL:
Safe bets: If your date is wearing a tux, you should wear a long gown. If your date is wearing a dark suit, you should wear a tea-length dress, knee-length cocktail dress or dressy pants and top.
Don’t try it: Glamming up your nice business suit or church dress, says Jennifer Huggard, owner of Tyler House.
Your guy: If he wears a suit, make sure it’s navy, gray or black. Pair it with a dressy white shirt, preferably one with French cuffs, and a muted tie, such as one in silver, Liles says.
COCKTAIL:
The safe bet: Your favorite little black dress with snazzy costume jewelry and some sexy, strappy sandals.
Other options: A sheath dress, a jersey dress in a solid (not print), great-fitting pants or skirt with a dressy sweater or camisole with a bolero or shawl.
Your guy: A jacket, nice slacks, tie optional. (If he’s rebelling about the jacket, bribe him with his cowboy boots.) He can also try a mock turtleneck with a jacket, or dressed-up jeans and a jacket. “Do something that you wouldn’t necessarily do for business,” Liles says.
OFFICE PARTY:
The safe bet: What you normally wear to work, but kicked up a notch, not too sexy or too dull. A winter white suit, instead of the gray one. Strappy, high-heeled sandals instead of flats. Charmeuse blouse instead of cotton. A velvet fitted blazer instead of the crepe wool. Spice it up more, if you dare, with a lace-detailed, velvet or embroidered camisole underneath a jacket to create a softer and more feminine look.
Your guy: Same rules. What works for daytime is likely best for night too.
CASUAL:
The safe bet: Finally, it’s OK to wear jeans to your run-of-the-mill holiday party. For a chic casual look, as dreamed up by Eliza Stoeker at Fleur, try: Skinny jeans, a colorful cashmere sweater, tall boots with your jeans tucked into them, a scarf and belt.
Old school rules: OK, OK. So maybe you’re not a jeans girl. Try a great-fitting pair of sporty black pants, a festive sweater and some updated flats or round-toe boots.
Your guy: A holiday sweater. A standard button-down. Best jeans or favorite khakis. But remember this from Liles: “Every man looks better in a jacket.” Even at the neighborhood block party.
