My husband had his company holiday party aboard one of those Hornblower Yachts in San Francisco Bay last week. It was the most stormy night and wet, but I survived. I tell you I am not a fan of boats and especially in storms and at night, but I was a good wife, took the dramamine and bound myself with all sorts of compression bands and got through. I had one cocktail too.
My photo from the party of the Bay Bridge. Does this tell you anything about my state? Lol.
My 17 year old later told me I was texting him weird notes. Honestly, I don’t know what happened that night. Must have been the dramamine and the cocktail. People were great and I made it through with my new suede high heels with nary a wipeout with swaying planks and all. Can I just say how relieved I was to be back on dry land? The smartest girl at that party was the CEO’s wife who is the cutest gal ever and wore a long slinky sliver dress with short army green rubber boots hidden under her dress. Brilliant! I bet she was feeling comfy and steady all evening.
For this party, I really tried to shop for something that I would wear a long time instead of the usual flashy party dresses I often gravitate towards. When I got to the stores the dress areas seemed to be filled with all kinds of sleeveless looks and lots of sequins and brocade. They never look so great on me. I walked through the designer section at Nordstrom and quickly got helped by a young saleswoman who brought me things I didn’t even consider.
Once you get on some well made frocks of beautiful fabrics like silk, you’ll have a hard time looking a cheaper options. I did and then went back and bought two choices in the designer area. I tried some lovely things, even this Herve Leger bandage dress which actually looks a bit like a superhero outfit, but holds everything in perfectly.
Is this not gorgeous? Apparently they stretch as your body wears it up to 2 inches during a wearing. For the $1,400 price, they are considered an investment and they do make you look amazing. They have a hard time keeping them in stock. That said, I don’t think I have the lifestyle for this dress, but I did love another dress that I could see myself wearing a lot, especially with my more casual California life. Here’s what I wore. No this isn’t me sadly…
Okay it wasn’t this plunging…They unbuttoned the hidden clasp here. It’s also not as short in front and the back is not that much longer as it looks. This L’agency silk shirtdress really was very chic on. With the addition of suede burgundy sandals it felt like me, but festive. I can also wear this all year. The sleeves can be rolled back and I can add flat black sandals or slides and a jean jacket and I’m good for travel or spring and summer.
Dressing room pic. An XS on 5’4 me…
I paired it with a fluffy long sweater coat that gave it a little more festive feel and a pretty long necklace and gold cuff from J Crew and my mom’s diamond earrings. This box clutch (top photo) in black was a little item I grabbed when I was out the door and I love it’s modern look. I wish I took a photo at the party, but I think I was too spaced out on dramamine to think of it! 😀 I did have fun!
This is the heels that were surprisingly comfortable. Love them. Vince Camuto Court Sandals. I bought the berry color.
My dress traveled up to San Francisco in a garment bag without a wrinkle. I wore it the whole night and two nights later wore it to another party without having to touch it up or iron at all.
So while this was in the $400 range, I think it’s worth it for a beautifully constructed silk dress that I hopefully can wear for a long time.
I also considered this little number from Elizabeth and James. My husband, who loves brights, dug this so I still have it. I’m thinking about keeping it for a Hawaiian holiday that is coming. It also goes with the suede berry shoes and the clutch….Yet I can see it with my black leather flip flops from Tory Burch. I have had them for years and when in Hawaii those are my dress shoes. No one really wears heels in Hawaii. This dress is sheer with a black slip dress attached under it.
Me with my scarred up legs. Obviously not as short as shown. (The dress I mean!) I swear they have 6 foot models wearing size smalls.
This is the first time I really tried to shop for a holiday dress that I could use in my wardrobe instead of what feels festive. I think you can always make the a classic feel more festive with accessories. I already have a celery colored velvet shirt, a lace blouse, and black dressy jeans, a big furry black long cardigan, and black suede booties and flats that I mix up for more casual holiday gatherings already in the closet. I just add some flashy earrings or chunky bracelet from my grandma’s vintage collection and I’m good to go.
So what’s your holiday dressing strategy? Share what you do or add to make your look have a little bit of sparkle! I’d love to hear what you do or don’t in this crazy season! If you can add a photo that would be even better.
