Just as Halloween has a way of sneaking up on us, so too does the Holiday season. Fall means catching up on work after summer vacations or perhaps finding yourself back at school, and the freedom to shop in leisurely fashion becomes elusive.
With the arrival of the Holidays is the inevitable deluge of events and cocktail party invites.
There’s the company party, your partner’s company party, a trip to see the Nutcracker, your annual family cocktail party and of course, the much anticipated (or dreaded..) New Year’s Eve. As invites pile up, so does your anxiety over what to wear. You want to express yourself, and fashion is, after all, a form of art. One of those holiday parties happens to have a guest list of folks at that company you’d like to work for. You consider repurposing an old favorite: a dress you wore to college formals and spilled prosecco on a few times, but still looks somewhat cute, right? You realize your sense of style has evolved considerably and that dress doesn’t make you feel like the grown-ass goddess you are. Besides, the holiday season calls for glitz, and you can save throwing a pair of tights under your standard LBD for the frozen depths of February. Don’t hate yourself for wanting to twirl and mingle in new (potentially sparkly) digs!
Instead of overspending on a dress that winds up shelved for the rest of the year, fulfill your desire for something new by renting with Style Lend. Your budget will be as low, but the potential to turn heads remains quite high.
Read on below for our guide to holiday dressing… beyond the little black dress.
Jumpsuits
Eschew dresses entirely with jumpsuits! You’ll feel diva-ish channeling the 70s, and never underestimate the freeing effects of jumpsuits on the dancefloor.
The Stone Cold Fox Jumpsuit is a classy, simple no brainer.
A Free People Sapphire Sequin Jumpsuit is ideal for those looking to indulge in holiday sparkle.
Dessy Collection’s Convertible Wide Leg Jersey can be styled several ways, which brilliantly allows it to be repurposed for different events. Wider leg openings give this a swingy effect, making it ideal for dressier occasions.
Velvet!
What better time to wear the sumptuous fabric that is velvet than the holidays? We love how regal it makes us feel.
This Intermix Blue Velvet gown is a minimal, trendy stunner. Night blue complements all skin tones, and the strappy simplicity of it lets the velvet do that talking.
Cushnie Et Ochs Black Velvet is truly a stunner. This dress features a crushed velvet design, structured bodice, and a super sexy slit.
The Line Lace Mini by Self Portrait is another excellent option for someone wanting to try velvet without looking Marie Antoinette-opulent.
Blue is the new black
For those looking for a classic mini dress that transitions seamlessly between cocktails and the afterparty, these are for you. Opt for blue instead of black, but stay minimal with sleek designs.
Milly’s Cady Selena Dress is feminine, yet fashion forward.For those who didn’t get enough of last year’s off-the-shoulder trend… and why would you, it’s super flattering… this dress is a perfect go to.
The Torn by Ronny Kobo Angelica dress is a perfect balance of classy and sexy. A criss-cross v-neck makes way for juuuuust the right amount of midriff. The bold blue hue will make this one stand out in a sea of New Yorkers clad in black.
Get festive in RED!
If you tend to opt for more conservative looks or can’t quite let go of the comfort of your LBD, holidays are the perfect time to bust out something bold. People tend to go over the top this time of year with sequins, so you won’t feel out of place donning a fiery red number. Besides, is there a more on-season color?
The Self-Portrait Short-Sleeve Guipure-Lace Midi Dress is the definition of a stunner. Its deep red color is ideal for those put off by more orange-based hues, and the lace detail is a work of art. If it’s good enough for Holland Roden to wear on the red carpet, we guarantee it’ll pass for any genre of holiday party on your calendar.
Giorgio Armani Tiered Ruffled dress is simple, classy and oh so versatile. You can make her jazzy with sparkly tights and heels or keep the look classic with sleek black pumps. The back cut out provides an unexpected sexy flair.
The Robert Rodriguez One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress is the perfect way to play up any motifs of being wrapped up like a present. An artful cut keeps the ruffles from coming off as too girlish, so you can pull this one off for a swanky cocktail affair.
Bare some midriff with a two piece
Remember last year when Taylor Swift made the two piece (something we’ve donned for awhile, by the way…) a wardrobe staple?
Heading to a formal gala? Look no further than this Dress the Population :Sequin Two-Piece Gown. What could be basic is suddenly super mod thanks to the crop top, which bares a sexy slither of tummy.
We love the playfulness of this Sequin Embellished Two-Piece Dress by Ali & Jay. The high waisted midi skirt is super on trend and balances out the sequined top.
Accessorize to revive
Reformation opera bolero. Gorgeous velvet number, easy way to jazz up something you already have, or take your daytime look up a notch for a more casual event.
The StyleLend Insider 