By now everything at work is probably peaking in terms of get this shit done so we can get out of here! I’m guessing your stressed! Over it! Ready for an adult beverage (be that ABV, THC, CBD, or just a seltzer with bitters), and ready to put on that stupid thing you bought and go party. SAME. I remember when I was in magazines, this was one of the most insane periods - trying to finish up the March issue before everyone peacing out.
So, if you need, like, 10 minutes of mental escape to a sparklier space, I’m here for you. If you bought something statementy and still aren’t sure how to wear it, I’m here for me (drop me a line in the comments and we’ll tackle those next week). But for now, let’s fantasize about what we’ll wear, via some outside inspiration.
MARTHA STEWART
First up, we have….Martha Stewart. In a homemade ice-blue taffeta dress with pink net overlay and pink tulle gloves! It isn’t the most current martha of martha looks (I think of Martha Stewart’s Topless Christmas when I think about her and Christmas), but it is an inarguably good look and would be nice as a jumping off point for someone with very girly style today.
Getting dressed for a holiday party, especially New Year’s Eve, is not dissimilar from your wedding - you’re excused for wearing something insane, impractical, and inappropriate for the weather. You put on something amazing, and dream of a bright tomorrow (BOTH IN WEDDINGS AND ON NYE!). You get a pass to act and dress like an idiot. Heaven! And if you err towards the ultra-feminine, this is your category.
1. A very pretty, very spangly, very feminine dress. A girly dream. Self Portrait, $670 (UK Sizes 4-16)
2. Also very pretty, but slightly less…I don’t know…sexy? A confection from Cecilie Bahnsen. And on sale! Cecilie Bahnsen, $960 (was $1,600) (US sizes 6-12)
3. A total fantasy dress, insanely expensive, but man. Wow. Woweeeee wow. Erdem, $4,695 (UK sizes 6-18)
4. A bit more mod, but no less cute! This one with the gloves! Self Portrait, $555 (Sizes UK 4-14)
5. What a perfect little clutch! Extremely silly, extremely girly and impractical - it ticks all the boxes. Olympia Le-Tan, $1,470
6. And a perfect pearl necklace! This with the Cecilie dress would be heaven. Completed Works, $415
7. Man these actually do make me want to get married again. They’re sheer, opera-length gloves fully covered in transparent sequins. So beautiful. Safiyaa, $910
8. Some very novel, very sweet blue pumps. I love these and would wear them a ton. Manolo Blahnik, $925
9. I love these pink satin ballet flats - mega, extreme girly, but also so pretty and wearable. Amina Muaddi, $1,100
10. If you prefer something a bit more grounding (great with the Erdem & the silver Self Portrait) I love these classic black Mary Janes. Aeyde, $295
11. And finally, a Simone Rocha accent is really the correct choice with a look like this. I love this faux pearl finish little egg bag so SO much. Simone Rocha, $690
RALPH LAUREN
Oh boy, I know this look of his wasn’t from a holiday party, but what a great holiday look it is! Simple, clean, classic, familiar, it’s a perfect look. Pair it with this great men’s button down, unbuttoned until your bra shows, and obviously a black lace bra and a red lip.
1. A very gorgeous oversized option. If you’re kind of lanky, this is a great option and will look so fucking cool. Raey, $870 (Sizes UK 4-14)
2. Here’s a very very clean option if you’re keen on a white tux look. Very crisp, very elegant! Mango, $500 (Sizes US XS-XL)
3. If you have a bigger bust, or like to show off your shape a bit more, this is a very good blazer. It also comes in Petite as well as Plus sizes. Lafayette 148, $839 (Sizes US Petite 0 - Plus 24)
4. And finally, one by Dries van Noten, similarly cool to the Raey one only even more oversized. Dries van Noten, $965 (Sizes XS-L)
5. My favorite jeans! And very much like what Ralph might wear did he not have his own empire. Very classic, very Americana, very precise. Wrangler, $55 (Sizes US 0-15)
6. Here’s a slightly wider pair, with a hint of stretch. These will be gorgeous if you have hips & a butt. AYR, $245 (Sizes US 24-34)
7. A vintage Hermes clutch - the BEST MOST GORGEOUS, this one is nicely worn in. Hermés, $1,050
8. A similar concept by Sézane - very sleek and beautiful. Sézane, $175
9. The most classic, traditional, true to source boot - black shiny Lucchese’s. Real deal cowboy boots - these are gorgeous. Lucchese, $595
10. But for something bitchier? Khaite! I’ve wanted these forever, but I also love the tall version. Khaite, $1,200
11. You’ve gotta have just the faintest hint of black eyeliner with this look - super super subtle and SHARP! This is, allegedly, the best black liquid eyeliner out there. KVD Beauty, $25
12. And finally, because a bow tie would be too literal and would stop your cleavage from showing, wear the black bow in your hair! Jennifer Behr, $160
DIANA ROSS
And oh boy, we can’t talk about festive dressing without Diana Ross! This photo is weirdly low-res, and I can’t find a higher one - it’s from the cover of her holiday album, A Very Special Season. I love how obviously holiday it is, with the gold and the red. For a NY party too, the disco vibe of this is spot on. There’s no way you’re not having a good night in this.
1. Ok, I have this dress in hot pink and it is hot sex. It’s so slinky, has a low back, shows your boobies, and feels like basically nothing. A perfect dress for dancing. Indress, $703 (Sizes 0-4)
2. This mesh crystal dress reminds me of that Rihanna crystal dress (one of my favorite looks of all time). It is so silly, so sparkly, so fabulous! Mango, $270 (Sizes US 2-6)
3. And now very of the era, this Halson sequin dress! It’s mostly sold out, but you can find an 8 and a 14 here, and then another size 14 here. $380 - $285
4. I love these red droplet earrings - like blood drops for your hottest bitch self, idk something about the blood of men? They’re chic! 8 Other Reasons, $33
5. What an excellent little sequin pouch. Truly screaming HOLIDAY! H&M, $30
6. Also screaming holiday, this dual-toned pouchette. It’s very, very special, and unbelievably beautiful. Bottega Veneta, $3,100
7. I love the mix of red and gold in the original image, and how great is this feather trimmed little cardigan? Perfect for a little cover up - bonus points if you wear it over your shoulders just buttoned on the top button. Sleeper, $203 (Sizes XS-XXL)
8. A very sweet shoe, very festive, but not too high. I personally love Doen’s shoes - they are always gorgeous. Doen, $348
9. A mega sexy fire engine red bra! Imagine how great with that Indress dress? Victoria’s Secret, $45
10. And finally, the silliest shoe of all time. So beautiful, so fun, so ready to whisk you away from your desk and into someplace sweater and sexier. Brother Vellies, $735
AND THERE WE ARE! Man, I hope you do something fun this weekend. I hope you wear something fun!
And again, don’t forget to leave a comment if you have something tricky and festive you love but don’t know how to wear. I’ll see if I can help.
x
Laurel