Skip to content

WEST COAST STYLE - Shine on in glam holiday style

For a night out at the Nutcracker ballet, we’re finding inspiration from the toy soldiers, rather than the sugar plum fairies.
19549mondaymagAttitudebySears-90
Attitude by Sears, $90

Gone are the days when party dressing meant only party dresses. Now, there’s a whole rack of radical (and rather flattering) semi-formal and formal fashion options for us ladies who like to sparkle and shine at seasonal celebrations but don’t necessarily want to wrestle with another pair of pantyhose.

For a night out at the Nutcracker ballet (Dec. 6 to 8, Royal Theatre), we’re finding inspiration from the toy soldiers, rather than the sugar plum fairies. That’s right, we’re taking one from the boys and putting together a holiday party outfit that reflects one of the key trends from the past year: menswear-inspired womenswear.

Starting with a wardrobe staple, a pair of sleek black trousers, this holiday party look is anything but basic. It should be noted that not all black pants are created equal. Loft ($TK) has constructed a fitting system with the goal of finding pants that flatter your figure. Match your preferred style – ankle, skinny, straight, boot or trouser – with their three different body fits and voila! Pant perfection and an instant slim silhouette.

To create the illusion of even more elongated legs, this party outfit needs a pair of pumps. Choosing a shoe that matches the colour of your pants may at first seem a little ho-hum humbug, but this black heel (Nine West Hero Heart Suede Heel, $130) is full of style surprises. First, it’s made with super-soft brushed suede, so the texture makes it stand out. Second, its robust angle-cut heel is a huge shoe trend that we’re seeing on the runways across the globe (and soon at the Alix Goolden Hall for Bach’s Leipzig on Dec. 14).

The pièce de résistance, though – the item that will get you the most compliments as you spoon out another mug of spiked apple cider for your guests – is this bronze rayon-blend blazer by Attitude for Sears ($90). It takes a page from men’s tailoring with its tuxedo lapels and longer body and the cinched waist and high-shine material is all there to flatter the feminine form.

 

This holiday outfit might pull inspiration from the men’s rack, but it is 100 per cent from the women’s section. All that’s left is to add a little sprinkle of holiday spirit … and that’s something we can’t buy.

Tweet me:

@EmmaJMYardley

Pin with me:

@EmmaJMYardley

Instagram it:

@EmmaJMYardley

Do you have a

styling conundrum?

Send your questions to

editor@mondaymag.com