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.
Inspired by more than a century of Shiner brewing tradition, the collaboration celebrates Texas heritage with apparel designed for everything from brewery patios to dance halls.Photo courtesy of Texas Standard and Shiner