Holiday Party Style Tips

With holiday parties in full force and New Year’s Eve on the horizon, I thought it would be great to get some tips from an L.A. celeb stylist on how to look great at any holiday occasion. Stylist Aly Scott of www.StyleChicLA.com was happy to help us out with some savvy tips on holiday style.

Aly says now is the time to embrace fashion! Dress up and celebrate yourself and the holidays! It’s the best time of year to enjoy your closet, but a lot of people have holiday fashion questions. Thankfully, StyleChic gave us some must-have advice so all our savvy gals can go out and enjoy the season.

Holiday Don’ts: no sneakers, no jeans, and never go casual! Also, Aly says steer clear of black during the holiday season, as it’s your perfect chance to be festive and vibrant (and bright colors make everyone look younger). But make sure not to go overboard as well. “People like to feel celebratory for the holidays and dress with metallics and/or sequins. But if you are going to be flashy, stick to one trend only,” Aly said. “A great oversize clutch or chunky jewelry is the perfect way to accent this season’s hues and add color to any outfit.”

Holiday Do’s: Be festive, wear textures from feathers to paillettes, and mix it up with light fabrics such as tulle, chiffon and organza. Wear a dress. We have plenty of opportunities to wear jeans all year long — take advantage of the holidays by dressing flirty and feminine.

Each party you attend may call for a different style — below are some tips on what to wear to every type of function.

Cocktail Parties

For women, put on a scoop-neck designer sheath dress. Trade the button-up for a bright-colored chemise and put on a great pair of high heels. Or switch the pantsuit into this season’s wide-leg pants and a silk or a metallic-accented top. Dazzling with accessories is totally acceptable.

The Office Party

The key is to add a little bling, but not to overdo it. Employees should be well-dressed, and can definitely be chic — just don’t be overtly sexy or flashy. You want to be noticed for your great outfit, not for your plunging neckline.

Also, dressing inappropriately can change the playing field with colleagues of the opposite sex — especially if you’re a woman — or simply make you look like you have terrible taste. Stick to hemlines that hit at or just a couple of inches above the knee. Feel free to go sleeveless but keep the cleavage to yourself — that means for men, too.

The office holiday party is never the right place to take a fashion risk. Does this mean you have to wear red and green?

No — you don’t need to dress up like a holiday to be festive. You can be stylish by wearing metallics, which are hot right now, jewel tone dresses or by using great scarves to add color to any outfit.

Holiday outfits don’t have to be green or red, just more glitzy and glamorous! They can be shiny, velvety or beaded to make it more fun for the season. Or if you find a great skirt or dress that is holiday friendly, pair it with something less holiday-ish, like a classic cardigan or heels (or boots). Again, depending on the event.

What about gold and silver for New Year’s? It is totally fine to dress for the holiday and gold or silver is perfect. Pair with a deep red or royal blue to really accentuate the metallic. Shine and glitter is all in good fun for the holiday but remember the cardinal rule — one trend for the holiday and with everything else, stick to classic.

Want some help from a legit celebrity stylist? Visit Aly’s Web site, StyleChicLA.com. StyleChic is a high-profile styling service with experts available to personalize your shopping experience by introducing local and out-of-town clients to the exclusive fashion boutiques of Los Angeles. It is a stress-free, relaxed environment, offering various fashion services, including going through your closet, getting rid of all your stagnant clothes and taking you shopping with discounts and VIP privileges for the New Year. StyleChic was founded by Aly Scott who has more than 12 years of fashion industry experience, and has appeared as a style expert on “Access Hollywood,” “Extra,” and “E! Networks,” among other shows. Aly can create a style that is unique to you and perfect for your body type.

Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.