Dressing for the December party season… or not
This time of the year most magazines and personal style blogs are full of ideas on how to dress for the inevitable holiday parties. So, I’m going to let you down big time now and say that I hardly ever attend any parties, let alone dress in festive outfits. Of course, there are lunches / dinners with friends, but these tend to be rather casual affairs, and everybody dresses for comfort more than for anything else. Therefore, I don’t own a single piece that I would characterise as ‘festive’ or ‘evening wear’…
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| Dress: Baukjen (old, similar), necklace: Hirst Antiques |
On the other hand, I like to make a bit more effort on an ordinary day: add a bit of sparkle, a nice bag, a scarf… which is also perfect for a semi-casual dinner after work or at the weekend.
Take this outfit, for example: I wore this to an Independence Day (6 December) lunch at a restaurant. Independence Day is sort of a big deal in Finland, and people often invite friends and family over or book a table in a fancy restaurant. And this is one of the few occasions when most men still wear a suit. And women… black dresses / trouser suits are always the most popular option. But, as I find black both boring and unflattering for my own colouring, I decided to go with colour instead.
I have a bad habit of buying some of my favourite items in several colours: I showed you this dress a few weeks ago, in fuchsia (and the bag has made an appearance here before, too…). Maybe I’m a lazy dresser, but I think that if something looks good that’s good enough a reason to get multiples. It also saves time on those early mornings when you have to get dressed in a hurry and you have no time to wait for your poor night owl brain to wake up and get creative…
Do you prefer from-desk-to-dinner looks or special occasion dresses?
Tiina
PS: Dilettante Artist has her own blog now, The Dilettante Artist’s Gallery, where I will be posting (very infrequently) random pictures: illustration, photomanipulation, that sort of thing. And there is a pretty, new widget on the sidebar to take you there…
Linking up with Visible Monday
You look lovely in this wrap dress. One of my favorite types of dresses, indeed. The clutch is fun, and I bet, quite the conversation piece.I enjoy dressing to the nines, but I also enjoy wearing every day dresses. It just depends on what mood I'm in. But since I don't get all dolled up frequently, when the occasion arises…I take it!
Thanks Glenda. Wrap dresses are so easy: no ironing, travel well…
Beautiful clash of colors! This type of dress really suits you, Tiina. I totally understand the temptation to buy a piece you like in a few colors. I did buy V-neck sweaters in 4 different colors on sale last year simply because they all were great bright colors. I loved them and wore them a lot last year. And still plan to wear them again soon. It was probably the only one occasion for me so far, but I feel the temptation from time to time! 🙂 And I do love to dress up, but not for parties (I am not a big fan either). I dress up when I go to see a play or concert, or a romantic dinner with my husband. It's fun! Happy holidays!
Buying several colours is fine, practical even. But I have to admit I sometimes buy the exact same piece of clothing in multiples… I justify it by thinking that then I have one in each of my homes, no need to carry it around. You can guess how well this works out…
You rock wrap dresses, you could be DVF muse!! That purse is super cute! Happy Sunday dear!Baci,Coco et La vie en rose – Valeria Arizzi
Oh, a DVF wrap is on my wish list… maybe one day. The purse is also super light and travels well (and for me that is the most important attribute clothes / accessories can have).
Tiina, you know what you like and what suits you, nothing boring about that and this dress proves it, a great colour and fit for you. I do not have the over the top Christmas dress up life either, our social life is a fairly simple one, family, friends, etc. Enjoy your week.
I consider this colour a neutral, for me, that is: it always looks good and goes with anything I have. A safe bet, in other words.
Great dress …so flattering and colorful!
Thanks, Pam.
Wonderful wrap dress, Tiina, in a gorgeous color for you. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday! xo
Thanks, Patti. Blue is such a kind colour to pale girls…
Elegance Revisited. Your blog is so aptly named. Those dresses in our closet that we love so much are meant to be worn again and again and again. You can make the most casual dress extremely elegant! And different accessories will always make them feel new.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
lOVE YOUR wrap dress, beautiful color on you and so flattering. Very neat clutch, and a great color combo!from the link upplease stop by, jess xxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/
Thank you, Jessica. I guess I'm a bit partial to blue, there seems to be quite a lot of it in my wardrobe.
Amid all the black, you must stand out like a beautiful tropical bird! Lovely choices … adorable bag, especially. Here, our Independence Day is in July, and it's all picnics and barbecues, shorts, sandals and skimpy tops! I'd rather dress up and go out to dinner with your crowd!
I always prefer colour, black is really not very flattering on me (and it makes me look a bit tired and worn out, too). Yes, Independence Day is in early winter: snow or rain or both, cold anyway…
Love your wrap dress, such a beautiful colour 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog..New bloglovin follower …