What to wear for "Casual Cocktails!"
By Jessica KoslowThe holidays are officially behind us, but the winter party season is in full swing. And every winter, the question is "What to wear?" This is especially true when the invitation says, "Come for casual cocktails."
Whether you want to spend some dough on a new outfit or fall back on the classic pieces already in your closet, here are a handful of fashion-forward tips to guide your get-up.
Today's top party styles
"When the invitation says 'casual,' interpretations differ," says Leah Feldon, a Nashville and New York-based fashion expert (leahfeldon.com) and author of Does This Make Me Look Fat?
"Some people will always dress up, while others won't," she says. "Some will read 'casual' and others, 'cocktail.' If you do your basic black with fun accessories, you'll be exactly perfect, either way."
"The one thing you're always safe wearing is basic black. Then jazz it up with accessories. You just can't go wrong with that," she assures.
"Black is essential," agrees Jenny Le of Opening Ceremony, which has stores in New York and just recently Los Angeles (openingceremony.us).
Le recommends a few hot items to pick up this winter to turn heads anywhere you go.
"Velvet dresses, high waisted skirts, severe pencil skirts, cashmere cardigans, waistcoats, trenches and Victorian granny high heel boots," Le lists.
Another hot look, she says, is slim tuxedo pants and a chiffon bow blouse, or full trousers or high waisted pants."
Feldon also points to pants as a standout style. "Wear basic black pants and a red velvet jacket over a basic black top."
Suits in the spotlight
According to many retailers and manufacturers, suits are also showing up on the party scene more and more. One suit shop that can attest to this trend is Los Angeles' The Suit Closet (thesuitcloset.com). "Suiting for women is definitely going through a revolutionary movement," relays Vani Kumar, owner of The Suit Closet.
"A suit no longer has to be straight-laced," she notes. "The great thing about a suit is that it can be dressed up or down," she begins. "Either a skirt or pant suit is fine for a casual cocktail party," says Kumar, whose preference is for solid colors such as black or sexy red.
When it comes to designers, Feldon suggests that Eileen Fisher is good for creating wardrobe basics."Eileen Fisher usually comes up with very simple shapes that can be jazzed up and down," Feldon says. "She usually uses good fabrics and allows room for your own personality to enter. The garment doesn't rule, the person wearing it does.
"Another option is to have fun with different fabrics such as satins, silks or even cashmere wool," she says. What to avoid? "Pinstripes, which have "work" written all over them."
In terms of fabrics, a couple of go-to's are wool georgette and gabardine. Add a beautiful silk blouse of a soft color, such as an earth tone, or even a festive shell, she says, and you've got a great look without too much effort.
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