What to Wear to Your Next Casual Holiday Party

I have a confession to make (JoJami here…)

I was TOTALLY STUMPED this weekend… I had a daytime, holiday party to go to and boy, did I have to work hard to find just the right thing to wear…

It seems that every time the weather changes or I have an event to go to are the times that I struggle with what to wear.
This party I was invited to  was a  cookie exchange party with a twist. You had to bring your cookie dough and bake cookies at the party, while enjoying martinis! Fun concept, but hard to imagine what to wear…. It seemed on the one hand, I should dress casual for the cooking part, while drinking cocktails with the girls, I wanted to look chic, but not too dressy.

But wait, there was one more caveat… My girlfriend that was also going to the party, called me a few days before, to ask me what I was going wear and I told her DEFINITELY NOT JEANS, but probably a skirt of some kind.

Well, one of my rules to myself is, when I tell someone what I’m wearing, I better wear it!!!  So of course it was a 1/2 hour before the party, I was in the closet and the clothes were flying all over the place, and all the skirts just seemed too dressy, it was a really cold day and I wanted to be comfortable! OH, how I wished I could wear my jeans, but my friend was probably already on her way, and I could  call her to tell her that I had changed my mind. (Ends up that NO ONE wore jeans, so it was a good thing I didn’t!)

Anyway…. I floundered along and did find a casual dress to wear and I felt comfortable and that I dressed perfectly appropriate for the party!

So here is a Glam Plan on how to look comfortable but chic for an afternoon holiday party!

1. Plan ahead! Don’t just pick out what you want to wear, try it on and make sure it looks good and you have all the accessories you need.
2. Start your outfit with what  shoes you want to wear. If you know your going to be doing alot of standing at the party, think twice about those killer heels. Boots are great for this time of year, low or high, you can still pair them with a skirt, pants or leggings
3.  Fabrics should be cozy and comfortable (colorful cashmere comes to mind!)
4.  Invest in a beautiful top or jacket. If you’re out shopping for an outfit, so as not to go into overload, start with one piece that stands out to you. It could be a pretty jacket, sweater or again, you can start in the shoe department.
5. Beware of going for the same look you always wear. Search catalogs and magazines first, to get a fresh idea of how to pair 2 pretty colors or a  new type of look.  (Did any of you happen to see Nicole Kidman on Oprah the other day…. we LOVED her outfit!) Her purple suede jacket with a tank top the exact color as her hair, pencil jeans and matching heels!! Perfection and not too hard to duplicate!)

Here is my outfit, that I was so comfortable in. I admit, grey is not my best color, but I tried to liven it up with the scarf, and overall, I think it was a good casual look for this type of party. (In case you are wondering…yes, that is a paper plate I am “modeling”) Also, I have a new hair do AGAIN!!!

The 4 C’s of Dressing

How do you look fashionable when you’ve got a mature body and the styles out there are targeted to svelte young twenty-somethings?

Image Consultant Diana Pemberton Sikes sums it up nicely with advice to remember the three C’s when you dress: Clean , Classic and Coverage.

But there’s one more C we think needs to be added to that “how to dress” list, and that is Comfortably! It’s especially true when it come to shoes.

Now, don’t for a minute think that just because we know that your baby boomer tootsies are starting to swell and ache, that we’re trying to get you in to granny orthopedics.

We love a sexy shoe and a gorgeous heel and never want to give them up. That’s why we’re thrilled with a few designers who realized the shoe worshiper’s need for a combo of comfort and style.

High end comfort brands from Thierry Rabotin, Anyi Lui, Jeanne Jarvaise and Tayrn Rose (a former orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer) are selling like hotcakes. What shoe crazed women wouldn’t love this black and white patent leather pump by Tayrn Rose?

Then there’s Cole Hahn who’ve had a lot of press about The Dress Air Line that incorporate Nike air technology in chic shoes with 3 3/4 inch heels. The line has been so successful that it’s expanding to 14 designs this spring and summer.

So put your best foot forward and check out these shoes. As designer Tayrn Rose says,  “Just because you love fashion, doesn’t mean you always want to be the victim.”