Major holiday fashion mistakes
If you’ve ever dressed up shinier than a Christmas tree or turned
down last-minute party invitations because you had nothing to wear,
you’ll know that the holiday season is loaded with chances for fashion
disasters. With a little help and preparation, you can learn to avoid
common holiday fashion mistakes and look your prettiest.
 Wearing too much glitz
Beading, metallic and shimmer are all fine for the holidays. In fact,
most women wait until a good party to break out all of the glitzy
finery. But too much shine can overwhelm anyone, especially if you wear
it in areas that you don’t necessarily want to highlight (like a beaded
chest sweater for a busty gal).
Showing too much skin
Thigh-high miniskirts and cut-to-the-navel dresses may look great on
the runway, but in reality they are almost impossible to carry off. Not
only is it possible to dress sexy while leaving lots to the imagination,
it’s also the best way to look your prettiest for the holidays. The
secret here is to accentuate your best features with a suggestion: a
lace trimmed camisole under a blazer hints at great cleavage, a small
slit on a skirt gives a glimpse at gorgeous legs, a halter dress shows
off toned arms.
Making it too complicated
No wonder women approach the holidays with dread: trying to
coordinate outfits, gifts, travel and parties can overload even the most
organized woman.
Instead of trying to match up dressy separates, try a little black
dress this season. Not only is it universally flattering, it will take
you to almost any event in style. Just add accessories and you’re ready
to party.
Being under or over dressed
You show up in jeans, everyone else wears velvet; you wear a long
dress and others wear business clothes. You’re not alone if you have
trouble deciphering dress codes on a party invitation: most people get
confused by designations as ambiguous as ‘Dressy Casual’ or ‘Cocktail
Attire.’ A few dressy items span several categories – such as the little
black dress for her or dark suit for him – both of which can attend
everything from semi-formal to cocktail parties.
 Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it
suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses
(nothing too slinky or sexy).
Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits
for him.
Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually
calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal – dark suits for him, short
dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special
event.
Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of
the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose
looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday bent (i.e. a beaded sweater with
black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).
Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him,
it could be trousers and a sportcoat, for her a dressy pants look.
Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for
Dressy Casual.
Casual generally means anything goes. |
