Planning Organizing and Being Stylish for the Holidays
By Maeve Doyle
Vancouver Stylist and Host of Urban Rush’s Style Guide
Today, as I rummaged through my wardrobe through numerous sweatshirts, jackets, tees and hats, I finally found my holiday dress – the black to the floor shoulder baring classic that I purchased ten years ago and surprise, it’s good for another season! Even though my closet is a little messy, it’s okay because I’m strict about my planned purchases – wherever they end up in my closet. The mad rush to find my dress followed an invitation from a fun but haughty art collector / real estate developer to a black tie event at his home and a need to RSVP today!
The reason I organize my wardrobe and plan ahead to be spontaneous and impulsive during the festive season. Below are a few tips to stay stylish in dress and manner over the holiday madness!
1. Know the terminology of attire “black tie”, “white tie”, “semi formal” and “business casual”, If it’s on the invite its required and an insult to the host if you don’t comply.
2. Buy a basic holiday dress and rewear it with different accessories to everything. Christmas fashion stays the same year after year and seldom works before late November or after January 1st.
3. Understand the importance of having perfect lingerie under a satiny, silk or backless holiday dress. Book an appointment, bring the dress and get a fitting.
4. Know your body and show off your best features, glamour is about sparkle, shine and skin. If you have great shoulders flaunt them. The same rule applies for a well toned back; a backless dress makes a memorable exit from any event.
5. Be vigilant about the upkeep of your hair and nails. Visible roots and ragged cuticles can ruin your presentation . Book appointments weeks in advance; the holiday’s are a busy time for hair and nails.
6. Set up a cab account with your regular company, plan to be safe and organize it in advance to be certain.
7. Have a supply of hostess gifts ready for last minute invitations. Wine, chocolates, marmalades or jams, scented candles
8. If you know who is attending the party make a point of finding out innocuous details about them and ask open ended questions. How do you like the new neighborhood you moved to? Did you read the new Margaret Atwood novel? The best talkers are the best listeners.
9. If your invited to stay with people over the holiday’s be a considerate guest by traveling light. Giving your hosts space during the holiday’s by planning outings independently, they will be glad of the break.
10. Have gifts for everyone’s children, keep $10 bills in your pocket and secretly hand it over tell them it’s a secret. It makes it exciting for them and honestly they will take a $5 without complaining if you are short of money.
What you say and do over the holiday will live on for a long time in the minds of others. Have a plan to make a good impression.
Now if only I could find the other patent pump….
