Kate M.W. ~ A basic black dress is always lauded as the classic necessity in a woman’s wardrobe. “It’s so versatile and you can dress it up with accessories!” If we’ve all heard this once, we’ve heard it a hundred times. So when I was considering how to put a bit of holiday party spirit into All in the Details, I must confess…this week started first by staring at a plain black shift dress. My favourite thing to pair with that is a sparkling statement necklace, and from there, the choice was easy. Subtle but packing a punch, metallic and glistening but not ostentatious. Statement necklace perfection.
Horizontal Braid Necklace, Bop Bijoux, $70
For foundations, I’m partial to a simple shift, taking cues from Holly Golightly with a pencil shaped skirt and a high simple neckline. Alternatively, a full skirt with a scoop or v-neck (that doesn’t compete with the necklace) could also pair well. The only other thing you’ll need for foundations is a pretty winter coat so that you look as lovely in transition between parties as you do while in attendance.
Wool Stretch Dress, Brooks Brothers, $198 / Clean Tailored Coat, Scotch & Soda, $169
Now let’s address the addition of additional sparkle…as clearly, it’s as much of a necessity as that basic black dress. Since the holidays are the season to splurge, I’ve given you options – splurge on the left, and (by relative comparison) a few fantastic steals on the right. For footwear, it’s all about metallic, sparkle, and sequins: muted gold tones inspired by the necklace. Earrings should be studs, but could either be of the basic variety or something a little more intricate. Since it’s holiday party season and you may often be caught with a drink in hand or accenting your riveting conversation with an abundance of hand gestures, something that soundlessly sparkles (skip the jangling arm party) comes courtesy of a cocktail ring. Use this as a way to inject a little accent colour and pick a pretty jewel tone.
Splurge: Sparkle Suede Square Frame Clutch, Tory Burch, $295 / Red Quartz Square Ring, Rachel Zoe, $165 / Herkimer Crystal Prong Studs, Jacquie Aiche, $165 / Lollipop Pump, Kate Spade, $328 / Finlay Flat, Jimmy Choo, $495
Steal: Giltwork Pin-Fringe Clutch, Anthropologie, $78 / Candy Stone Cocktail Ring, Banana Republic, $45 / ID Stud Earrings, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $41 / Kayden Pump, Ivanka Trump, $130 / Jeleena Flat, Nine West, $48
Soft gold is such an easy metallic to wear, and each of these pieces (though excellent in a single outfit) could easily become a great festive addition to an otherwise simple ensemble. So let these delightful details play double-duty – being both dressed-up with that black shift, and equally at home with a white button down and great jeans.
Happy holidays!
