6 Cute Sweater Dresses

Whether for work or weekend, these easy knit styles give you a look that's current and put-together.

Eliza J Stripe sweater Dress
Not too blah and not too bright, these chic stripes combine the ideal mix of neutrals and bolds for the utmost wearability. For the weekend, simply add riding boots and chunky scarf.
Nordstrom, $59

The Limited Textured Sweater Dress
This ladylike acrylic-blend dress in eye-catching crimson will become your rushed-morning go-to, thanks to its wrinkle-resistant practicality.
The Limited, $90

Calvin Klein Sleeveless Striped Sweater Dress
Not only does this graphic black-and-white dress work in any season, but its radiating stripes and defined waistband also help create the appearance of an hourglass shape.
Calvin Klein, $134

Ann Taylor Metallic Flounce Sweater Dress
Get dressed up with minimal effort. The swingy, full skirt of this copper-flecked viscose blend beautifully camouflages lower-body problem spots.
Ann Taylor, $149

Muse Tweed Shift Dress
Duplicating the look of a tweed skirt-and-sweater, this "combo" dress takes the guesswork out of mixing and matching a cozy yet sophisticated cold-weather outfit.
Belk.com, $138

Zara Gold Brocade Sweater Dress
In a luxurious, brocade-printed viscose blend, this everyday shift is the perfect marriage of comfort and polish for the office. Just pair it with opaque tights and heels.
Zara, $100

 

 

 

 

I layered my sweater dress with a red sweater and added a printed scarf!

 

7 Holiday Party Picks

Stunning and stylish buys to invest in now and wear even well after the holidays.

LOFT SHORT CAST CRYSTAL NECKLACE: A brilliant gunmetal-toned statement necklace can add festive flavor to any look, from an LBD to a silky blouse.
To buy: $49.50, Loft

J.CREW JEWELED-STARBURST SWEATER: A low-maintenance solution: This bejeweled viscose-blend sweater comes with its very own necklace. Just add a flirty skirt, opaque black tights, and heels for a party-ready ensemble. Available in four colors!
To buy: $98, J.Crew

Favorite!!

ZARA MOTHER-OF-PEARL EVENING MINAUDIERE: The harmonious combination of glossy black and twinkling ivory imparts an elegance as classic as piano keys--a simple way to make a monochromatic outfit really sing.
To buy: $80, Zara

C.WONDER CHANDELIER EARRINGS: The black glass stones and a vintage-inspired design make for an unexpectedly fresh contrast against winter white or other pale shades.
To buy: $48, C.Wonder

REPORT SIGNATURE MURPHY GOLD SNAKESKIN CHUNKY HEELS: Thanks to the block heel and cushioned footbed, these embossed-leather heels in antique gold are comfortable for a night of dancing. And they can easily transition with office-appropriate skirts and trousers after New Year's.
To buy: $99, lulus.com

MADEWELL SHIRRED TOP IN SHIMMER DOT: Ideal for a relaxed house party, this loose polyester T-shirt adorned with shimmering polka dots offers laid-back sophistication with flats and skinny jeans.
To buy: $88, Madewell

THE LIMITED SEQUIN PENCIL SKIRT: To achieve evening sparkle, swap out your basic pencil skirt for this jazzed-up sequin option. Also available in gold!
To buy: $42, The Limited

DEAL!!!

Tuxedo Inspired Fashion Trends

Suit up for party season with these surprising riffs on the ultimate evening standard. 

Lauren Ralph Lauren Cotton Blouse

Macy's, $90

Marlene Dietrich would have worn this pleat-front shirt with a top hat and tails. The modern-day equivalent? Wide-leg trousers and pointy pumps.

The Limited Faux-Leather Belt

The Limited, $35

Look to this crystal-studded belt—a little bit ritzy, a little bit rock and roll—to impart black-tie panache to jeans.

 

 

Zara Viscose-Blend Blazer

Zara, $130

 

Talk about a smoking jacket. The geometric details and the fluted shape on this collarless number give it an avant-garde edge and the power to upgrade anything it touches.

Coach Suede Heels

Coach, $198

Well, hello, twinkle toes. Kitten heels adorned with metallic bows instantly sharpen a plain pencil skirt.

Banana Republic Clutch of Lucite and Polyester Satin

Banana Republic, $98

 

No need to read between the lines: Paired with a monochromatic outfit, this striped clutch makes an emphatic statement.

L.K. Bennett Wool-Blend Dress

L.K. Bennett, $825

 

Ivory satin lapels dramatize an otherwise demure black dress.

Festive Outfits for the Holiday Season

Does that invitation calling for “festive attire” have you puzzled? Any of these pieces will suit the bill for a variety of occasions during the holiday season.

The Colorful Dress

Want to bet against black for a change? The odds are in your favor when you choose a dress in a rich jewel tone—perfect for cocktails or any event billed as semiformal. If it’s particularly chilly outside, add a cropped velvet jacket or a cashmere wrap.

To buy: $79, piperlime.com 

A richly hued dress can be as easy to accessorize as one in a neutral tone and, best of all, is as unexpected (and welcome) as a flash of Technicolor in a black-and-white film.

To buy: $120, zappos.com

The Embellished Jacket

Until recently, jackets rarely made it past the coat check at parties. But thanks to feminine silhouettes and special touches like embroidery and beading, the latest styles can stay on all night.

To buy: $94, piperlime.com

For a particularly sleek holiday look, pair a velvet, patterned, or ornamented jacket with a satiny skirt or tailored tuxedo pants.

To buy: $50, hm.com

Dressy Pants

Who can even remember a time when pants weren’t an option for women? Thankfully, designers keep churning out a selection of swanky takes on this beloved basic, making it appropriate for even the dressiest occasions in fabrics like luxurious velvet or brocade.

To buy: $99, rachelroy.com

Try topping a pair of party-right trousers with a sequined tank or a trim angora sweater.

To buy: $69.50, loft.com

The Black Dress

Slimming, sophisticated, and even (in a sense) stainproof, the little black dress is the ultimate fallback when it comes to special occasions. This one is as simple as can be, but it makes a statement with its flared hemline.

To buy: $119, anntaylor.com

There are plenty of styles to suit your needs, whether you want something you can dress up (with heels and jewelry for a formal occasion) and down (with flats and a denim jacket for a holiday brunch)—or something that simply flatters your figure by playing up your waistline or shapely shoulders.

To buy: $60, zara.com

The Long Skirt

If your black-tie obligations come around only once in a blue moon, a floor-length skirt is a sensible alternative to a floor-length gown.

To buy: $149, piperlime.com

Unlike a gown, a long skirt can easily go from tailored and formal (and eminently suitable for any black-tie event) to loose and casual, when paired with a black tank top and ballet flats.

To buy: $61, asos.com

Trend Spot: Guide to Winter

The latest and greatest for the new season ahead...

(All of the clothing pictured is from Gap)


 






1. Moto
Mix tough chic pieces into your everyday wardrobe

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Winter Green

Color flash! Work a statement hue.

3. Sparkle + Shine
Think subtle glamour and laid-back luxe.

4. Sweatshirt Chic

Cozy pieces get cool-girl updates.

5. Mad for Plaid
Channel the 90s in perfect plaids.

 

 

 

6. Ombre

Fashion's coolest gradient makes a big impact.

How to wear Brocade Fabric

The centuries-old textile (it dates back to the Byzantine Empire!) is having a renaissance. Here, your most flattering ways to wear it.

If You’re Full Figured

Whatever your best feature, that’s where you should sport brocade. Shapely legs? Go for a skirt or tapered pants. A slender waist? Slip on a nipped-in jacket. One hint: A larger-scale pattern looks more slimming than a tiny one.

The Head-to-Toe Look

A nice surprise: These pants are made of a nonclingy, lightweight fabric and have a discreet elastic waist for a comfortable fit. Colorful trousers call for black everywhere else. Well, except for a touch of pretty sparkle at the neck.

Marina Rinaldi polyester-and-acetate pants, $420

If You Have Full Hips and Thighs

Look for styles that show off your waist to help balance your figure. Brocade tends to be a thick fabric, so bypass pants and narrow skirts, which add inches to the lower half. Darks are forgiving.

The Head-to-Toe Look

The fitted bodice of this dress plays up the torso, while the swishy skirt masks fuller thighs. Since the design is busy, stick to black (but not boring) accessories.

BB Dakota polyester-and-rayon dress, $110 

If You Have a Straight Figure

Fake curves with cuts that hug the body and use volume strategically (like the trumpet dress here). To avoid looking boyish, skip anything boxy.

The Head-to-Toe Look

With the help of princess seaming and darts, the fabric contours the body to create a flattering, feminine shape. Accents in silver and gunmetal tones add extra dimension to a black-and-navy dress.

DKNY wool-and-polyester dress, $445

If You Have a Tummy

Be careful about wearing shiny, attention-getting brocade around the stomach. The trick is to opt for silhouettes that are not too loose or too lean. Peplums, sheath dresses, and cropped jackets highlight the middle in a bad way.

The Head-to-Toe Look

The structured shape of this shift stands away from the body, skimming over the midsection. Metallic shoes and jewelry tie together the bold palette.

J.Crew Collection wool-blend dress, $298

If You Have a Large Bust

The safest bet? Wearing brocade below the waist. A definite no-no? Brocade collars or wide lapels, which exaggerate the chest.

The Head-to-Toe Look

Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterned accessories with brocade. Just stay in the same color family and vary the scale.

The Limited polyester-blend skirt, $70

Brocade Top for Full Hips and Thighs

Low-Key With Black JeansPaired with a dark bottom, a fancy tee lures eyes up top and away from problem areas.

Raoul acetate-blend top, $435

Brocade Skirt for Full Hips and Thighs

Top It Off With a Tucked-in BlouseThis matte black brocade boasts a pretty floral, minus any hip-magnifying sheen.

Karen Walker neoprene skirt, $318

Brocade Top for Straight Figures

Flirty With Cigarette PantsEmbrace the peplum to create the look of va-va-voom hips.

Yoana Baraschi ponte-and-brocade top, $264

Brocade Skirt for Straight Figures

Belt a Beaded Cardigan Over ItThe contrast of plush and shimmery textures makes this body-conscious gray skirt especially rich.

Ann Taylor rayon-blend skirt, $89

Brocade Top for a Tummy

Get Flowy With a Long, Full SkirtA barely there luster and stretchy fabric mean this shirt is extra forgiving.

Bailey 44 cotton-and-polyester top, $130

Brocade Skirt for a Tummy

Pair It With a Blouson Sweater
The damask design helps disguise bumps, especially when worn with a longer top. Goes up to a size 18.

Worthington cotton-and-polyester skirt, $34

Brocade Dress for a Large Bust

Sleek With Black Pumps and HoseA cool optical illusion: The black panels along the sides have a minimizing effect.

Darling polyester-blend dress, $105

Brocade Pants for a Large Bust

Team It With a Tuxedo JacketWith its chic, tapered cut, this golden paisley pick steals the focus from above.

Raoul silk-blend pants, $360