Some Light Reading….and Thoughts on Holiday Parties
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Sorry it’s been oh-so-quiet on PB recently! The shortage of on-the-street posts has been a combo of me feeling slightly more hermit-esque in the winter months coupled with the fact that it’s really freaking cold out.
Perhaps now is a good time for a little light reading. Because if you’re at work today you’re not really doing anything now are you?! Catch up on some of the stuff I’ve done for Washingtonian here.
And check out a recent Politico article I was quoted in about dressing for the holidays. The audience was the Hill crowd, but a lot of the article’s advice applies to everyone attending a holiday function, work-related or not. There’s a lot of sparkle and satin in the stores and often it becomes to ubiquitous and cheesy-looking that it makes me want to scream. It’s smart to be choosy with that stuff.
That being said, not going overboard doesn’t mean you let your outfit go unfinished. This is probably the thing that irritates me the most. So many women think only about the dress that they forget or half-ass the other details, and this is what makes or breaks your look. Young women especially have this issue. They’ll wear a strapless dress with the same tiny earrings they wear to the office, and they grab their too-casual everyday canvas handbag as they dart out of the door. Buy a structured clutch ladies. You don’t have to spend a lot on them because they’re so classic that there are a ton of adorable (and well-made) ones around at thrift and vintage stores. I recently picked up a gold one for $10.
So, the dress. Women think, “oh, I can’t wear black because it’s boring.” Listen to me: It is NOT boring! It’s versatile and a fantastic canvas for a slew of holiday looks that you can change dramatically with accessories. If you spend the money to buy a “nonboring” dress, it’ll be so memorable that you probably won’t want to wear it to another party later in the week. And because you spent your budgeted amount on the dress, you half-ass the other details like shoes and earrings….bringing us around to the aforementioned issue.
While we’re on this subject, a laundry list of my thoughts for women:
Think about an incredible pair of shoes in jewel-toned satin. Don’t wear open-toed shoes with hosiery. And a big one: don’t wear a wrap. They look so OLD. This advice isn’t just for the young ladies – older ladies, don’t wear a wrap either, please. Everyone looks better in a dressy jacket or cropped coat instead (I was in Forever 21 the other day and they had a lot of surprisingly sophisticated and expensive-looking options). And for God’s sake girls, but on some lipstick!
And guys, I’m sorry, but those holiday themed ties and matchy cummerbund sets are awful. I don’t care if you do it every year or if it helps you strike up conversations. Just.do.not. It’s appropriate at the Santa Soiree and nowhere else. You are a professional man, and professional men earn points with classic, tailored style. I think guys (especially guys on the Hill) would be smart to just ramp up their normal look – a fitted suit goes a long way in my book.
Anyone have a tip on holiday party dressing or great outfit to share?
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I have no advice for holiday party wear. Last night I went straight from work to a party, and I dressed as normal for today’s office party.
But I did want to say that I like not only your blog, but your advocacy for diabetes research (the article in the Washingtonian). (I know it’s your job, but still.). I’ve lived with insulin-dependent diabetes for nearly 25 years and I’m going to barf the next time sold old fat person complains about their Type II diabetes and having to watch their diet and exercise. Some days I want to punch Tom Brokaw.
Happy Holidays!
-rdhd
Lipstick? Really? I didn’t think anyone under the age of 50 wore lipstick anymore. It ALWAYS looks tacky. If anything, I downplay my lips by smearing foundation over them. Then I can play up my eyes without looking like a drag queen.
Your other points I agree with, though. I think basic black with sparkly accessories is the way to go.
I don’t think I can get behind such a strict set of rules. If everyone wore black dresses, chandelier earrings (or whatever — this comes from a person who doesn’t wear earrings) and (gasp) lipstick, I would think I was at a funeral.
It’d be the same as advocating everyone wear blue or red or polka-dots, etc. I agree that black dresses are not boring, but everyone conforming to one aesthetic IS boring, and in this case depressing. This is why I have problems with DC fashion. There’s little variety (at least compared to other major cities).
And while I’m not advocating a cardigan with Christmas cat patches adorned to it (see today’s NYTimes), I do think print and color can go a long way for some people.
Also, I think opaque tights and open-toed shoes work well together if done consciously.
I never wear lipstick either, but I’ve read that it’s back in style. There was an article about this very issue in the Express yesterday.
Lipstick is a no-no? I never knew this. My wife wears lipstick and she looks great. I could be biased, though.
Maybe you aren’t choosing the right color.
-rdhd
rdhd -
You are spot-on about the color, which is why I find it quite painful to see women en masse leaning toward lipstick. If you don’t choose the right one, it’s bound to look a hot mess. And with probably 1,000 different shades of red to choose from, more people tend to go wrong then right. In my case, I’m just too lazy for all that work so I usually stick to nothing or clear gloss. But, in the case that someone finds one that looks good, then by all means, do work with it.
Amen on the holiday ties and matching cummerbund sets being a big no for men. Let me also add, men should not wear red vests with white shirts and black pants, because you will look like part of the catering staff.
I think people in general have problems with accessorizing. Whether it be wearing the same earring all the time or only having one handbag or wearing an awful tie (cartoons? lights? beer? ) Seriously, people, use some creativity. Go to Target, ect. And let’s burn all those ties with working Christmas lights on them. Those are just sad!
I have to disagree about the hosiery comment. I think that its totally fine if you are wearing something fun with tights. i do however agree that if you are wearing panty hose (god do people still wear “hose”? anymore) to please please please wear closed toe shoes. lipstick is back, good call on that one, it just takes a lot of patience to find one that doesn’t make you look like a 2 dollar trollop. i found my new fav, its NARS and its called roman holiday…
If I don’t wear lipstick my face looks washed out.
I’m not suggesting by any means that people ONLY wear black dresses, lipstick, earrings (chandelier can look a little 3 years ago if you ask me, but that’s another topic) etc all in the same outfit or exclusively. I’m just suggesting that women not discount the LBDs they surely have in their closets. I just find that many women are looking for what you might call wardrobe solutions – ways to maximize the things they already own or are considering buying.
I agree about the tights and open-toed shoes thing – I like the look a lot and have been doing it with a bronze pair in my closet (a note on wearability here: I find that this looks best when the shoe has a substantial heel). I just meant hose. You’d be surprised how many people actually do this. Yuck.
I love everyone’s comments about lipstick. I too have not touched the stuff for years, but recently I’ve been drawn to it. I’m not so sure that it’s gonna stick forever for me though – I have rather uhm, voluptuous lips so I worry that red lips can look a little Joker-esque when I smile. Maybe I should only wear it to events where I don’t have to talk. Hm. Anyway, the lipstick thing was a little out of context – I think women should wear lip color during the day in the wintertime. The light is different and tends to make everyone look gray. A little color goes a long way.
It seem to me that this return to lipstick is a reaction to the more sophisticated & womanly clothes we’re seeing on the runways.
…And well, it’s winter and lipstick always seems to come “back” in the colder months.
Older ladies MUST add a foundation garment to their list. Spanx are your friend!