Holiday Dressing

What to wear to holiday party? Rich colors and glam looks provide alternative to Little Black Dress

We’re not knocking the Little Black Dress, but the holidays are the perfect time to give that safe little number the night off. Reach for rich colors, lush fabrics and embrace the fun of taking glamorous chances.

Not sure how to start wardrobe planning for holiday happy hours and other season fetes? The style-setting retailers at CultureMap’s Holiday Pop Up Shop have more than a few ideas for lighting up the season.

French Cuff owner Kairy-tate Barkley is falling for a mix of lace and velvet and a design detail not to be missed.

“We are loving the dressy yet feminine fabrications of red lace, gold metallic-shimmer organza and burgundy crushed velvet and we can’t resist sequined tops, scalloped hems and anything with a dramatic bow on it.”

WildBloom Boutique is also swooning over deep, darker hues.

“We are loving shades of green in olive and hunter as well as reds in marsala and burgundy are so fun to accessorize for the evening,” WildBloom manager Thuy Pham said.

If your personal style leans more boho than froufrou, Ashley Srouji of Souk Chic says to embrace it. She finds style inspiration from the past, blended with looks from the modern runway.

“I'd have to say my favorite trend is the bohemian style. I have an Instagram account where I post pics I find from the 1930s to runway pics from today that embody this well traveled look and lifestyle,” Srouji said. “This look is timeless and this is the Souk Chic look.”

Versatility is key to keeping the holidays merry and bright and Kailey Tissue McCollum of Kissue suggests a casual trench coat for multiple occasions.

"One of our favorite holiday style trends right now is layering, especially in Houston. One of our favorite pieces to layer with at the moment is a casual, loose fitting trench coat,” she said. Tissue McCollum likes to throw it on top of a pair of skinny jeans and a favorite top, or wear it with a party dress.

From a casual trench to a cape for all occasions, Harriet Alexander, designer of Vaha Capes, likes a particular combination.

“Perhaps our obvious holiday style trend would be capes and clutches,” Alexander said.”We love the way a clutch can make an outfit, and you can never have too many. And, capes never go out of style.”

And who doesn’t love timeless holiday style?

The CultureMap Holiday Pop-up Shop presented by Lexus is open December 13, 11 am-4 pm, at Silver Street Studios. Admission is complimentary, so reserve your tickets early. And shop 'til you drop for boho, froufrou, velvet and lace top holiday styles.

Boho Holiday anyone?

holidays

be well

3 hot wellness studios move swiftly into new Heights development

Courtesy of Radom Capital

The Swift BLDG is expected to open in late 2026.

A new mixed-use development in the Heights has announced its next round of tenants. Three wellness businesses are coming to The Swift BLDG, Houston developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners’ project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail.

They are:

SweatHouz, a contrast therapy studio
Strong Pilates Studio
The Skin Clinic, a Houston-based aesthetics and skincare destination

Scheduled to open in winter 2026, SweatHouz will offer infrared saunas, cold plunges, and other protocols to improve a person’s well-being. The protocols are focused on areas such as athletic recovery, reducing stress, improving circulation, mental health, and longevity. In addition, it will offer a beauty bar equipped with Dyson hot tolls and a beverage station stocked with different waters.

Building on the success of its Katy location that opened last year, Strong Pilates Studio will occupy 2,500 square feet in the Swift BLDG. Using Rowformer and Bikeformer machines, customers have the opportunity to take classes in Strong Body, Strong Loaded, and Strong Pilates-Only. It’s expected to open in the fall.

“Our method blends strength, cardio, and reformer-based training into one, delivering real results in just 45 minutes. This isn’t just Pilates — it’s a new standard for fitness in Houston. And a community that sweats together stays strong,” franchisee Mona Hussein-Zaki said in a statement.

Currently located in M-K-T, the Skin Clinic will more than double its footprint by relocated to the Swift BLDG. The clinic’s services focus on skin health and rejuvenation. It also expected to open in the fall.

“The response from this community has been incredible, and Swift gives us the room to grow into what our patients have been asking for: more space, more services, and the same patient-centered care that got us here." founder Kelli Nwuli said.

All three businesses join previously announced tenants such as Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, premium juice bar Leemoo, Merit Coffee, and Houston Tex-Mex staple Escalante’s.

On track to open to the public in fall 2026, The Swift BLDG will offer more than 30,000 square feet of office space along with 30,000 square feet of restaurant and retail tenants. The two companies previously partnered on M-K-T, the Heights mixed-use development that’s near the Swift project. Radom is known for a number of other Houston developments, including the Montrose Collective and the historic Tower Theater property and its adjacent buildings.

openings the-heights