Blogger Whitney Cosgrave shares what to wear to your holiday parties this season
Joie Ailey Leather Jacket, Talula Storrow Dress from Aritzia, Schutz Sid Webbed Booties from Shopbop, Brookstone Champagne Flute. PHOTO: Catherine Abalos.
Mailboxes (er, inboxes) are filled with invites to holiday parties, soirées and events galore. But after the initial excitement of a packed party schedule sets in, we’re left with one question: what to wear? That’s where we step in.
Though the leather jacket has long been a wardrobe staple, we’d argue that 2013 has been the definitive “year of the leather jacket.” They are everywhere, and chicer and easier to wear than ever before. We love the idea of embracing the trend and throwing on your bomber over your favorite dress to breathe new life into the look, or to toughen up even the girliest of dresses… not to say that one must wear a dress in order to be sufficiently “dressed up.”
Well-tailored pants in a fun color or pattern are equally as festive, as is a sparkly skirt. But why not kick it up a notch and wear a fun jumpsuit? Not only are these incredibly comfortable (win), they look super chic (win) and require minimal sartorial thought (win!). A line of jumpsuits that has caught our eye is Ripley Rader, an L.A.-based fashion designer whose line consists solely of well-cut and super flattering jumpsuits.
DVF Zarita Scoopneck Lace Dress, $365, Saks Fifth Ave.; Mark & James Mini Sequin Pixie Dress by Badgley Mishka, $75 rental at Rent the Runway.
If a onesie is just not your thing (we get it), let’s circle back to dresses. The party dress has come a long way and no longer requires sequins; our favorite frock is DVF’s lacy Zarita dress which won’t make you resemble a Christmas tree yet definitely screams “party.” The best part about it is that the dress works for a variety of seasons and events—a major bonus. If it is glitz and glam that you’re interested in, we think this sequined Badgley Mishka number from Rent The Runway is the ideal New Year’s Eve dress.
PHOTOS: Ciate; Radar to the Scene.
Now that you have your outfit sorted out, let’s discuss how to finish your look. One of the biggest beauty trends this year has been elaborately finished nails. What better time to try out this look than on the holiday party circuit? Ciate’s Caviar Nails gives you a pretty, texturized finish that looks a lot more time consuming than it actually is.
Another big craze in the beauty world is the braid. It has come a long way from the simple one you sported in grade school. We love the look of a messy fishtail braid, a la Blake Lively, worn with a fussier outfit to help bring the look back down to earth.
Whatever you decide to wear this season, we wish you a safe, happy, and stylish holiday season!
Originally from Kelowna, Canada, Whitney Cosgrave resides in Los Angeles and is the lady behind See Shop Eat Do.
