How to Dress for a Holiday Party Based A Whim

Getting dressed for holiday parties is fun. It has also been my most challenging annual sartorial journey. Because what I want to wear fluctuates wildly depending on what kind of persona I want to adopt on the evening in question. It also depends on the feeling I want to evoke. And the character I want to adopt. Do I want to be my slinkiest self, the kind of guest who sips bourbon cocktails in a corner while whispering sweet somethings into the ears of a few good friends and doesn’t feel the need to look at her phone once? Do I want to be a walking conversation starter by virtue of my outfit? How about a wildcard in the crowd, who only sings songs into her phone? Home, cuddled by the fire, in pajamas, even though I’m at a party instead? Sounds about right. First of all, don’t get me wrong, I love going out and mingling with people. But after time, my feet hurt in those crystal-ebellished heels,and nothing sounds better than reading a great book.

How to Dress for a Holiday Party Based Upon Your Mood

When I survey my closet at the beginning of the night, I choose a color, a texture, or a mood, and just go with it. Last week, I pulled a muscle in my lower back, and I just couldn’t get myself to put on a dress, hosiery, and heels. So, I opted instead to go with the feeling of dressing like an eskimo. I put on my favorite teddy coat, and went with the camel theme.

Over time, I’ve noticed  my stylistic tendencies when its holiday time. The holiday party personas I gravitate towards, align with particular colors and textures, and this season it was all about camel. Last season, it was a velvet party. Once that revelation clicked inside my brain, getting dressed became a lot easier. It means I could match my mood based upon a whim, and the clothes and accessories that enhance it.

And there you have it, the faux fur, the metallic shimmer skirt, and the shearling-lined sneakers.