NYE signifies the wrap-up of the holiday high, so go out with a bang, splurge a little, and look like a knockout this year with the perfect NYE dress.

SOMETHING BLACK; the little black dress, dressed up for NYE…

SOMETHING BACKLESS; conservative front, party in the back…

SOMETHING SPARKLY; glitter may be just the thing to catch your NYE kiss’s eye…

SOMETHING METALLIC; glisten, rather than glitter, in the limelight…

SOMETHING BRIGHT; pick a playful, unexpected color…

SOMETHING WINTRY-WHITE; stand out like snow amidst the typical black attire…

SOMETHING FUNKY; throw a pattern or ruffles into the mix…

In the weeks leading to NYE, don’t worry about what your plans are, focus on the dress.
Use these style categories to find your most fashionable outfit yet, this holiday season. 

All dresses can be found at Banana Republic or Shopbop.

For those of you that must meet and greet with family and friends of your loved one, never fear. Take these few simple tips, and when it’s all said and done, you will be stress free and Botox will no longer be necessary before the big day.

Whether the occasion is Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, or Christmas, a first impression is important, and what you wear is the first thing seen. You must dress according to the setting, and always remember to be the two C’s: Conservative and Classy.

      1. Relaxed Relatives

The lowest of the formal totem pole, is the laid back family, where anything goes. However, just because jeans are standard among the crowd, doesn’t permit you to be extremely casual.

      Pair your jeans with…

-       A comfortable blouse, cashmere vest, and necklace close to the collar.

-       Layered tee’s, with a heavier cardigan, and a longer, sparkly necklace. 

-       A silky top that comes close to the neck, and doesn’t reveal too much.

Any of these would be appropriate for a daytime function, as well as lounging into the evening.

         2. Festive Family

Middle ground of formality, a family that mixes it up with an array of jeans and holiday tops, or sparkly skirts and t-shirts.

-       Get your pair of darkest skinny jeans, or cute black pants, and pair them with a silky top and fun necklace. (Great for an evening look.)

-       Go for the in-between of jeans and skirts, a pair of corduroys. An untraditional color of pant, with a silky top and cardigan belted at the waist, is perfect for wintry warmth and tastefulness.

-       Take a metallic skirt and dress it down with a simple and neutral tee. Add a waist belt and necklace, for accessories.

These options are best fit for attending a service and family function to follow later in the day or night.

            3. Private Party

This includes the fabulous families that attend services, and dine upscale for the holidays. For this occasion, you want to be dressed to the t (and I don’t mean t-shirt).

-       Nothing screams the holidays like a bright, candy-colored dress, especially in red or green. Add accessories that complement the dress, a necklace close to the neck would be most suitable, as well as a close-toed, medium high heel.

-       For those that are slightly scared of immense color, pick a patterned dress instead. Pair this pattern with a waist belt that mimics one of the colors shown in the dress.

-       Another option, metallic. A shiny, metallic dress is very appropriate for the holidays, especially for an upscale experience. Pick a dress with an interesting neckline, or detailed bust, for something a little extra. Accessories and their hardware should go with the tone of metallic.

 For this family experience, a dress would be the most appropriate, with or without tights, for formal attire. Remember: if the dress is strapless, and you feel too revealing, always wear or bring a sweater.

After coming to the conclusion of which category you fall under, the rest is simple. Pick any of these holiday combinations and you are left without the anxiety of wondering what you should wear. Instead, the focus is now on what to say…

All images are courtesy of, and can be found at, JCrew.

(Also, check out my previous post for a holiday gift to bring when meeting the family and friends!)

The number one cardinal rule of holiday gift giving is: give something from the heart. Time and time again, people break this rule, and resort to giving gift cards. There is nothing more impersonal than a little piece of plastic that took two seconds to go pick up, from somewhere as equally as uncongenial, such as Starbucks or a department store. So, do something heartfelt this year, give an actual gift.

MOM;

-       La Mer: the miracle moisturizing cream (1 oz $130, 2 oz $230)

-       Longchamp “Le Pliage Large” Large Tote Bag  ($145)

-       Michael Kors Ladies’ Chronograph Resin Band Watch ($225)

DAD;

-       UGG® Australia ‘Ascot’ Slipper ($99.95)

-       Burberry Billfold with ID Window ($250)

-       UGG® Australia Toiletry Case ($148)

BROTHER;

-       Burberry Exploded Check Cuff Links ($175)

-       Polo Ralph Lauren Velour Robe ($110)

-       Jack Spade ‘Warren Street’ Duffel Bag ($225)

SISTER;

-       Tory Burch Semi Glazed Continental Wallet ($195)

-       Chloé Holiday Gift Set ($135)

-       Michael Kors ‘Gold Catwalk’ Chronograph Watch ($250)

GIRLFRIENDs;

-       MARC BY MARC JACOBS Printed Nylon Pouch ($58)

-       Essie Winter Mini 4-Pack ($17)

-       Philosophy ‘holiday spice & everything nice’ duo ($20)

PETs;

-       Juicy Couture Velour Dog Dress ($55)

-       Nordstrom Pet Bed ($65-$75)

-       Nordstrom Double Strand Crystal Dog Collar ($55-$75)

IN-LAWs / FAMILY FRIENDs;

-       Jo Malone Candle Collection ($85)

-       Pandigital Digital 8″ Picture Frame ($139)

-      Barefoot Dreams® Cozy Chic Twin Blanket ($175)

There is officially no excuse to supply family and friends with a gift card this season. Opt for something stylish off this list of ideas, and relish in delight of gift giving.

And, for those of us that fear the mall this time of year, online shopping is key.
All of these items are courtesy of Nordstrom.

Take a look at these fashionable finds from J.Crew, for the cold weather coming our way…

MITTENS;

Save:
The traditional, wintry-white, mitten. Perfect for cozying up in a carriage ride or holding hands with a loved one. These are a wintertime classic, and are at an affordable cost of $35.

GLITTENS; a cross between a glove and a mitten, brought to you by J.Crew

Save:
These are the perfect solution to cold hands that still need to function, i.e. hold a cup of cocoa at a sporting event or text on your iPhone’s heat activated screen. Offered in an array of colors, and is very reasonably priced: just $24.50

GLOVES;
 
Save:
The softest and warmest of the bunch, cashmere gloves. 
Whether you choose the customary black or ivory, or add some color to your ensemble with fresh pear, bright flamingo, or dark poppy, these gloves are perfect for any outfit. They can be worn with cropped sleeves, due to the longer length, or bunched at the wrist for a long sleeved jacket. J.Crew has outdone themselves again, with a very reasonable price of $45.  

Slight splurge:
Priced at $88, for cashmere-lined leather gloves, these may come off as a bit pricey. However, when taking into consideration the durability and long-lasting qualities of cashmere and leather, these don’t seem unreasonably priced. Choose from ripe avocado, deep violet, glazed hazelnut, yam, or warm burgundy, these gloves just scream holiday festivities.

Splurge:
Priced at $118, and imported from New Zealand, these shearling gloves are perfect for keeping you warm. The price is worth the warmth, and the durability, you may be looking for this winter season. Get them while their hot, in cognac, graphite, or deep aubergine.
 

SPLURGE:
Don’t let the $188 price tag draw you away from these luxuriously warm gloves. With extra-soft, extra-warm Spanish lambswool, if you are looking to spend a little this wintertime season, these are the gloves. Perfect to be worn with jeans, or dressed up with a Christmas Eve dress, this year’s splurge can be worn for the years to come.

Say goodbye to the cold, and hello to a fashionable solution; mittens, glittens, and gloves. Whether you break the bank or stick to saving, choose from any of these six, fashionable finds and you’re hands will be thanking you by the end of winter.

One in particular, is Professor Maura Lyons, the Associate Professor of Art and Design at Drake University.

HauteLuxeFashion: Do you enjoy fashion?
Maura Lyons: I do. The one tv show I try to watch every week, when it’s in season is Project Runway. 

HLF: Why do you like Project Runway?
ML: I like the idea that unlike most reality shows, the people involved actually have to do something creative. I’m facinated by the process of making and displaying clothes… picking out fabrics, fittings, stylings. My favorite challenges are when they are forced to use unconventional materials and make something wearable from it.

HLF: Aside from TV, do you have a favorite fashion magainze?
ML: I’d say the fashion magazine supplements that come in the New York Times. I like Cathy Horyn, who writes for the Times, because she seems to have a clear idea about what is important, and not about fashion… I like her online commentaries with slideshows from the fashion shows too.

HLF: Do you have a favorite fashion designer?
ML: I’ve always liked Narciso Rodriguez.

HLF: What draws you to Narciso Rodriguez?
ML: I like the way that he makes form fitting designs seem very classic. In the 90′s I liked the way he would wrap fabric to accentuate different parts of his dress designs. 

HLF: Would you consider yourself fashionable?
ML: No, I wouldn’t. I’m pretty practical when it comes to clothes. I like to see and read about fashion trends, but when it comes to buying clothes, I tend to pick things that I can see myself wearing often and that won’t seem out of style quickly.

Knowledgeable, yet humble on her own fashion choices, Lyon’s exemplifies a fashionable professor. You can find her sporting knee high boots with conservative skirts, fresh silky tops with trousers, and always a piece from her eclectic collection of jewelry.

Check out Lyon’s style and what she has to say about art by taking one of her classes at Drake University, or pick up the book she has written, William Dunlap and the Construction
of an American Art History.

With the new campaign by Dov Charney’s American Apparel, it is apparent that skin and body was the focus with this new and improved one-piece.  Stretch Velvet Tank Thong, Polyester Spandex Tank Bodysuit, Nylon Spandex Mico-Mesh Bra Bodysuit, The Shiny Malibu One-Piece, Nylon Spandex Stretch Lace Diamond Grid Bodysuit; just to name a few.

Other designers following the one-piece trend, in a less revealing way, include Alexander Wang, Francesco Scognamiglio, Hussein Chalayan, and Stella McCartney. The one-piece can be done fashionably and in the right way, when you choose the right designer.

Gidget and Sandy wore their close-fitting pieces and it was fashionable for their eras, as for 2009, wear the one-piece solo (like American Apparel suggests from their ad campaigns), or layer it with jeans and a blazer for fall, or a pretty skirt for the springtime. The one-piece is a great invention and provides sleek lines for the body, so wear it right, and take advantage of this new and improved trend.

Shop these trends at AmericanApparel

BEFORE YOU LEAVE; decide if your clothes fit well, try on and piece together outfits, and bring items that are interchangeable. 

ON BOARD; for your bag on board, essentials include: an oversized bag, a digital camera, moisturizer, mints/gum, magazines/a book, perfume, hand sanitizer, a small bag of cosmetics to touch up, and an eye mask. And always bring your jewelry on board.

HOW TO PACK; the order of packing makes all the difference. Start with shoes on the bottom, then layer your jeans folded in half on top. Next, layer heavier items such as sweaters and dresses, and then add fragile tops, inside out, on top. 

Remember… try not to over pack, it will crush your clothes and create more creases than necessary. Also, always try and unpack your bag as soon as you reach your destination. Not only will this prevent wrinkling as well, but also it will give you a chance to see everything you have packed.

Pack wisely and dress impeccably for whatever occasion awaits you this weekend.

“I like women to dress for an occasion, she could be completely dressed like a boy during the day and at night she could become a fashion bitch. I like juxtaposition. The most stylish woman for me dresses for an occasion rather than looking lady-like all the time.” 

                  Hussein Chalayan

As for the current wardrobe of fall transition pieces, now would be a good time to pull out a more wintry selection. The weather is merciless; it’s always better to look fashionably dressed for the upcoming climate, than silly and rebellious by wearing the clothes you insist upon.

I applaud those who are smart enough to attend school or reside in the southern region, but as for us in the north and in between, it’s time we get ready for this winter weather blast – in the most fashionable way possible.

Things to wear, that you may not have been ready for just yet…

WOOLS AND CASHMERE. Lightweight or not, these fabrics will provide more warmth than your every day cottons.

BOOTS. Leather footwear may be huge this fall, but now is the time to give your other boots attention; the ones that offer more warmth and are more suitable for rough weather.

SUEDE. A great alternative to leather, especially in footwear, and will be even more warm.

COATS. Bye-bye blazers, and say hello to winter jackets with substance to them.

OUTERWEAR ACCESSORIES. Whether it’s scarves, gloves, or trendy hats, these accessories keep the cold air out, and add a little extra flair to outfits, so take advantage of it!

Winter has sneaked upon us, and now is the time to prepare in your best, fashionable wear. 

The color jade has become present in all aspects of fashion; on the runway, in the stores, even on model’s nails. You’re not the only

 one to notice, it’s absolutely everywhere.

Of the most popular this season is Chanel’s Jade nail polish, 407 Jade Nail Colour. From the stylish Rachel Bilson, to funky Drew Barrymore, and it-girl Alexa Chung, everyone is wearing it. This look is only available online and in boutiques, so get it while you can girls.

However, nail polish is not all Chanel has to offer this fall. The fashion powerhouse has also incorporated jade into shoe accessories, deco-inspired jewelry, and bag clasps.

Chanel or not, this trend is sure to rub off on other designers, so don’t be the last to get it. Jade green is this falls most enviable shades and stones.

This season, go green the fashionable way, jade green.

Animal print has weaved its way through fashion for many seasons now, but this fall it’s all about the large wild cat with the spotted coat, the leopard.

Leopard can only be taken seriously, and fashionably, if worn as a single item. Don’t go crazy and pair your leopard pumps with a leopard sweater, the goal here is to not embody the actual cat, but represent style. Treat this trend as a statement piece, don’t exaggerate the look.

Worried about splurging too much on just a trend? Seeing as animal prints have been popular over the years, it’s safe to say your investment this fall will be worth the value next season also. Give in to your gut, and put down the extra cash.

Never fear PETA practitioners, these leopard prints are fabric or patterns, no animals are being harmed in the production of style. 

“I like glamourous things, and I hate Aran sweaters and corduroy trousers. Anything dowdy, I loathe. I like diamonds, fur, color, and glamour.” 

                                   - Julien MacDonald