No More Boring Holiday Parties: 20 Ways to Chic Up Your Party Looks This Season
We’re about to be deep in holiday party season, a time we love because the dress codes are loaded with opportunities for free alcohol to dress swanky and chic. But the trick is to find options that still look elegant after two glasses of Champagne. Don’t always want to wear a little black dress? Going from work to a party with your significant other’s co-workers? Sequins too much for you? We get it.
We’ve rounded up twenty elegant, foolproof party items, such as Peridot London’s tuxedo dress or H&M’s dramatic bias-cut chiffon gown, to wear under the mistletoe. Try pairing any number of the glittering drop and chandelier earrings, like the unusual arrowhead diamanté earrings, with your basic black T-shirt. And use the cute cat clutch long into 2014, when you just need that perfect little moment of levity. Click through our slideshow for all that and more.
Everybody else will be wearing short and sparkly, so instead opt for long. Plus, the bias-cut drape of this dress makes for a memorable entrance.
Ph...
Everybody else will be wearing short and sparkly, so instead opt for long. Plus, the bias-cut drape of this dress makes for a memorable entrance.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Avoid clashing your ears with your eyeshadow: These dangly sparklers will match almost anything.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
When you're too drunk to make conversation, just say meow.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
We can't think of a better dress to slink into a room in, all LA Confidential like.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Pick party shoes that you can wear well into 2014, like these strappy silver knockouts.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
No one will be able to keep their eyes off your ears with these glam cocktail earrings.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Don't like girly? Go for a tuxedo look that's just as sexy.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Carved arrowheads give just the right amount of edge to otherwise elegant, dangly earrings.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Because the likelihood of people actually seeing your shoes at a good party is slim, wear demi-heels. Your future self and her feet are already thanki...
Because the likelihood of people actually seeing your shoes at a good party is slim, wear demi-heels. Your future self and her feet are already thanking you.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
If you plan to crash a Gatsby party between now and 2014, try this drop-waisted ASOS number. Daisy never looked this good.
Photo: Copyright (c...
If you plan to crash a Gatsby party between now and 2014, try this drop-waisted ASOS number. Daisy never looked this good.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Surrealism will always be in fashion, so opt for this clutch with cheeky, trompe-l'oeil eyes.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Compan...
Surrealism will always be in fashion, so opt for this clutch with cheeky, trompe-l'oeil eyes.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
If you are Edie Sedgwick incarnate (or have legs as long as Lexington Avenue), feel free to go for a mod tee dress as short as this one. But it comes ...
If you are Edie Sedgwick incarnate (or have legs as long as Lexington Avenue), feel free to go for a mod tee dress as short as this one. But it comes with one caveat: Wear it with something more original than strappy heels.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Because heels are definitely not mandatory at holiday parties, especially with shorter hemlines (see last slide), slip on a pair of sparkly flats and ...
Because heels are definitely not mandatory at holiday parties, especially with shorter hemlines (see last slide), slip on a pair of sparkly flats and call it a year.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Can't resist a classic silhouette? Then wear this dress. Its hint of tinsel is the stuff of ball-drop magic.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett...
Can't resist a classic silhouette? Then wear this dress. Its hint of tinsel is the stuff of ball-drop magic.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
We are very picky when it comes to platform shoes. (See: How to Find the Perfect Platform.) With that said, these are pretty perfect, especially with ...
We are very picky when it comes to platform shoes. (See: How to Find the Perfect Platform.) With that said, these are pretty perfect, especially with a midi-length dress, skirt, or a tailored pant.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
We like this vertical satin bow, especially when it's peeking out from under baggy boyfriend denim.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Compan...
We like this vertical satin bow, especially when it's peeking out from under baggy boyfriend denim.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Modest sequins are a nice alternative to Vegas-y sparkles. Opt for these, which are opaque and matte.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Who can say no to the comfort and stability of a stacked heel? Especially after a glass (or three) of Champagne.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hew...
Who can say no to the comfort and stability of a stacked heel? Especially after a glass (or three) of Champagne.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
Don't want to spring for a new dress? Go for a white clutch to offset your go-to LBD. Done.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
If you want to feel like you'd be able to swing and serve at a tennis match, try this dress. But really: We dare you to start a ping-pong tournement i...
If you want to feel like you'd be able to swing and serve at a tennis match, try this dress. But really: We dare you to start a ping-pong tournement in the middle of your next holiday party.
Photo: Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company
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