The New Way Of Holiday Dressing

By Suzanne Ellis

It's inexpensive, it's effortless, and best of all, you're still going to look fabulous.

Stylist Lynn Spence says the new way of holiday dressing is all about adding a bit of sparkle to what you already have -- whether it's a sequinned cardigan (as in above photo) with your best jeans, or a sexy top under your go-to black suit.

“I think the new attitude is to look at things you’ve got in your wardrobe and add some bling to it,” Spence tells CityLine.ca. “That bling still exists, so you’re looking at lots and lots of crystals, you’re looking at black jet, you’re looking at loads of pearls. So if you’ve got a white shirt, a pair of black pants, just the way I’m dressed now, you can definitely get away with this because it’s very acceptable now.”

A cocktail dress is going to set you back a few hundred dollars – for significantly less, a sparkly top over a white shirt is a great way to bump up your look for the holidays. A black suit also looks elegant when paired with a sexy top underneath.

And don’t go with one necklace or string of pearls, go with several.

“It’s multiples that make a great big difference,” Spence says.

The best part of this kind of dressing is, you’re using and adding to your existing wardrobe, which means you’re not spending a fortune on an item you’ll wear once.

“The whole idea is to take your pencil skirt that you’ve got, and a black turtleneck, and then add a great cardigan that’s got some sequin detailing on it. I think that New Year’s is going to become a little bit more relaxed this year,” Spence says. “Yes, we’re still going to see gowns and we’re still going to see cocktail wear, but I think a lot of people now in this economic time are going to say, ‘What have I got, and what can I add to it to make it look great for the holiday season, in particular New Year’s Eve?’”

Heading straight from work to a holiday party presents another challenge. Spence says a few easy switches are all you need to go from office appropriate to after hours.

“If you’re wearing a pair of jeans, you’ll have to think, ‘Well if I’m wearing my jeans that night, I’m going to change my shoe to a sequinned flat ballet or a sequinned pump, I’m going to add to my white shirt a great little sequinned vest, jacket or top, or I’m going to simply remove the shirt that I’ve got and wear something a little bit sexier,’” she notes.

“But cardigans embellished with sequins are a great addition. A black suit, again, the shirt can be removed and something sexy put underneath it. A lot of people will definitely do that and they’ll look great for the season. But they’ll feel comfortable, and they’ll feel themselves.”

First published on Cityline.ca