Looking forward to the near Holiday celebrations with friends, family, and business can be daunting for many women I speak to. With all the stress around all the Holiday deadlines, work, gifts, and entertaining, the last thing you need to worry about is how you dress up and show up. A little pre-planning is necessary.
Let me help you with some essential tips and advice.
Details of Silver, gold, pearls, and all the shiny details can up your style quota – just not too much of a good thing, or it could go cluttered or tacky.
Avoid over-accessorizing because we are not Iris Apfel, the one-hundred-and-two-year-old style icon. Iris believes “more is more, less is a bore,” but it is about how intentional Iris is about her accessories – usually, both arms are loaded with the same theme and color story of bracelets. The layering of necklaces is downright awe-inspiring. Most of us have to live in a different working environment – so keep that in mind.
For example, if you love a statement necklace, you might not want to layer on statement earrings, rings, and bracelets. Let one statement piece be the star of the show, and anything else becomes a supporting player and looks intentional. At least once a season, I layer on every pearl necklace I own in different lengths to make a statement with a solid garment choice. Last year, I wore the pearls with a cobalt blue velvet dress, added some sequins pointy-toe flats ( I gave up heels years ago), and felt dolled up – it was stunning and comfortable yet appropriate for the event.
Stick to the classics, and you won’t go wrong. Consider these if you are more of a trendsetter and want to add some new trends to your wardrobe: elevated luxe materials and embellishments such as bows and beads. If you prefer wearable romance, look for draped dresses, beaded bustier, and sheer blouses. If you like a bolder look, go for pops of color or mismatched prints—a few 2023 trends concern classic plaids, vests, pleather blazers, and pants. Whatever you choose, be sure it fits your body shape and coloring.
Fabrics speak volumes: Velvet, satin, brocade, suede, leather and lace. A little goes a long way to communicating the season and elegance.
Too often, women tell me that they ran out of time and spent all their energy and money on everyone else, falling short in how they felt and looked in all those Facebook and family photos that always have a habit of showing up for years to come.
Are you the one that ducks when you see someone pull out their camera? Do you ‘hide’ behind Auntie Ruth or grab the nearest baby or small child to block your body or partially cover your face?
Trust me, you are not fooling anyone. You are experiencing a lack of confidence & joy. The best quick cure I know is getting some personal style advice to dress confidently daily.
I don’t believe we must rush out and buy something new for the Holiday. The goal is to Glam things up and create a unique combination of what we already own. I have shopped in many closets and found great garment orphans needing styling with other unexpected items to create a new outfit. I suggest playing with your clothes to see what you can come up with.
Dump the all-black all-the-time default, brighten your skin, and blur the lines on your face by wearing your POWER COLORS for your skin tone – at least near your face.
Here are some powerful and flattering unexpected color combinations to wear:
Leopard & Kelly Green
Cobalt Blue & Orange
Chocolate & Red
Networking Holiday Events – Consider what you do for your business, get the right balance in your look but still be authentically you, and always consider the clientele you want to attract– Business expectations must be considered. Helping women figure this out in their wardrobe is my specialty. Creating a wardrobe that communicates your confidence is the key regardless of age, shape, or size.
What would your ideal client expect from different professions? What do you expect from the people you want to hire for the services you need?
CPA| financial Advisor| Banker: Detail-oriented, prepared, and relatable.
Graphic Artist | Designer | Creative: Edgy, out-of-the-box thinker.
Marketing: Communication, unique, playful and intentional
Sales | Realtor: Polished, put together, approachable, memorable
Are your clothing choices reflecting the expectations? Use prints, fabrics, textures, and colors to attract your desired business.
Quick change from workday to glam night out by planning with accessories. Wear dress slack and a cardigan with ankle boots to work; switch to a lux blazer, heels, and evening jewelry. Freshen your lipstick and add a penciled cat eye for more glam.
Dress authentically and be your fun, festive self; all good things will come your way.
Traci McBride is a Life Stylist and founder of TeeMcBee Consulting Ventures, LLC, focused on individual personal styling and wardrobe management since 2008. Traci worked with and has been certified by Style for Hire’s Stacy London a celebrity stylist.
Visit Traci at www.TeeMcBee.com or her home styling website, Zhooshing Spaces, offering services virtually & in-person, starting with a complimentary Chat with Tee. Schedule a 30-minute call by visiting one of our websites.
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