 December means parties. Invitations are rolling in for holiday events. The mere thought of having to get ‘dressed up’ often starts an unfortunate chain of events that goes something like this... Look in closet. Panic over not having anything to wear. Pop into a store with only 15 minutes and no plan. Buy a few pieces that might work. Back home, become overwhelmed with options or lack thereof. Party night... Change outfits at least ten times before leaving for the event wearing items you already owned before the panicked shopping trip. After... Annoying errands to return the impulse party outfit purchases. Exhausting! There is a better way.  Unless it's a super formal affair, you probably have a few appropriate, stylish holiday outfits hanging in your very own closet...right now. Let's find them. Five ways to make your jeans or black pants work for this year’s holiday parties. 1. The base. Pick your darkest, straightest/skinniest, best-fitting jeans. Or your most flattering black pants. These can be slim cigarette style, classic trouser shape or wide-leg, fluid pants. The idea is to use what you have. 2. The specifics. Consider the event. Is is inside? Outside? Are you usually warm or cold at winter parties. Will you be standing? Sitting for a long dinner? Comfort is key, start there. The better you feel, the better you'll look! 3. Select your favorite piece. Maybe it’s a luxurious cashmere sweater. Or a sparkly scarf that brings out your eyes. Or a killer pair of heels. Or a dynamite statement necklace. Use this piece to begin building an amazing holiday ensemble. 4. Consider your comfort zone...and then step outside. Now’s the time to mix it up. If you usually wear structured pieces, pull out that slinky blouse you never wear because it’s too sheer. If you’re in a turtleneck everyday, reach for that deep v-neck sweater in the back of your closet. 5. Play dress-up. Gather your options. Music, optional. Start trying things on. Make outfits and swap pieces until you smile big when you look in the mirror. You’ll know when you find the outfit. It should be a bit daring, but still feel like you...only gussied up in honor of the season!  Feeling stuck? Want some ideas?  Remember, it's all in the details. Dark skinny jeans with a pale cashmere sweater...that just might slip off your shoulder, sparkly earrings, a red lip and booties. Black trousers, silk or lace camisole, velvet or satin blazer and a simple shoe...heel or flat. Dark jeans, white blouse, sexy heels and a great necklace. Black pants, sleek fitting t-shirt or simple sweater and a fabulous, shimmery scarf.  A sliver of shoulder is sexy at any age.  Basic black with shiny red accents is always on trend.  A little sparkle can go a long way.  Use the WOW factor to your advantage.
In my experience, a woman almost always has something fantastic in her current wardrobe that she can wear to a holiday party. Racing out to buy something new often backfires because you don't have a real plan. You grab something that’s on sale but not amazing. You pick something elaborate that you’ll never wear again. Or you head home empty-handed having wasted precious time and energy. (You could have been taking a bubble bath or a nap:-) Keep this in mind... Simplicity is elegant. And real point of any soirée is to spend time with your friends and loved ones. This season, start with what you have. You just might surprise yourself. If you really, really can’t find anything in your closet to wear…sit tight. Next week, I’ll share what to buy when you have absolutely no other choice but to shop for a holiday outfit! Weekly updates...sign up here! Wishing you a slow and happy December. Spend time doing something you love...this crazy season is over in a blink. Don't miss it. Thank you for reading. Comments or questions? Yes, please! kristen@togetheract.com Have wonderful week. xo Kristen
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