It’s finally December and with that comes flurries of snow, full parking lots, twinkling lights – and of course – holiday parties.
December is a festive month, and what’s a more festive color around the holidays than red? Red is a great color choice because it’s naughty and nice – red is fun, playful, and can also be very warm. Bright red is youthful and sexy, while deeper shades of red are a bit more sophisticated. Red draws attention, so wear it with confidence.
Be careful not to over do the red – if you’re rocking a red dress, wear slightly modest jewelry – maybe a small diamond piece or two, nothing too overwhelming. Also, be aware of your shoe choice, as some reds are better paired with black or, perhaps, a print. Try your entire ensemble on and ask yourself if you think you look trashy or classy – if something doesn’t look right to you, it definitely doesn’t look right to everyone else.
Of course there is always old faithful, the always in style little black dress. Everyone has their own little black dress – there isn’t just one model. Black is wonderful for several reasons. First, it’s revealing – black allows for a little bit of mystery, so if all the holiday appetizers and cocktails haven’t allowed for your best figure, you’re okay. Secondly, black leaves room for interpretation. You can add color with shoes or a purse, and sparkle with jewelry. Black also had a tendency to look good on everyone – all hair colors and skin tones pair well with black.
When it comes to styles and cuts for the black dress, the choices are endless and there’s something for everyone. For the little vixen in you, choose something fitted in a smooth fabric, like satin, with small straps or no straps at all.
For those of us who are a bit more modest, go with a long sleeve, deep V, simple cotton blend. Long sleeves can sound a little boring, but the V-neck will show off the collarbones and neck – nothing sexier than that. And, of course, if you’re very short or very tall, pay close attention to the length of your dress – you don’t want to look frumpy or trashy.
Lastly, and this is very important, don’t ruin your gorgeous dresses and skirts with your winter wear. In other words, don’t bomb your outfit with a bomber jacket. Your satin and diamonds will be massacred by your big, poofy, red ski jacket. Wear a longer length coat – even if it isn’t that warm. You’ll survive the chill for a couple of minutes and everyone else will appreciate the gesture.
There’s party-wear out there for everyone – the holiday season is in full force and every designer and department store knows you have parties to attend. Be beautiful and classy, and remember, it is the most wonderful time of the year, but remember to be safe. Happy Holidays, Stony Brook!
