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3 outfit ideas for valentines day

2/9/2015

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Valentine's Day is right around the corner! If you are brave enough to brave the crowds and the snow to go out and celebrate, you will need an outfit that is both stylish and warm. However, you don't need to buy a whole new look just for one dinner. The great thing about Valentine's Day is that is only a short time after the December holidays which means that your party wardrobe should be refreshed and ready to wear. (Check out this post for more details.) So take a trip to your closet and start creating your perfect outfit.

1. Choose the practical option for February: pants. Start with a well-fitting pair of ankle pants in a dressy fabric and pair with a lace or embellished top. Slip into your favorite heels and add a jacket. Add just a glint of sparkly jewelry and finish with a bold red lip.

2. If you are excited to have an opportunity to wear your favorite party dress, don't let the cold weather dampen your spirits. Find a pair of tights in a coordinating pattern or color so that your bare skin is not exposed to the elements. Embrace your glamorous side with statement jewelry. I suggest chandelier earrings and a bracelet so that there is nothing to interfere with the neckline of your dress.

3. Make your skirt the center of your outfit by pairing it with a black sweater and black tights. You can continue the neutral backdrop with black heels or add an extra pop of color on your feet. The skirt you choose should feature bright colors in a bold print so that it stands out against the black.

Are your Valentine's Day plans more on the casual side? Read more about my favorite weekend night out look here and here.
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holiday outfits that aren't glitzy or jewel-toned

11/7/2014

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One of my favorite things about blogging is getting comments and notes from my readers. I especially love when you all tell me what style issues you need addressed because it gives me an idea for a post that I know will be useful. Today I will be answering one of your questions about holiday outfits:
"Recently, I've concluded that jewel tones are Not Really For Me (I think they don't work well with my skin tone), and I'm trying to dress in more natural / earthy / autumnal tones. But when I look at ideas for holiday and party outfits, pretty much everything is jewel-toned and glitzy.

Do you have any advice/ideas on looking good for a holiday or party occasion, without wearing a ton of jewel tones or a bucket of sequins?"
Although I do tend to suggest glitzy pieces around the holidays, most of my holiday season is spent in more comfortable basics since the dress code at most of the events I attend is fairly casual. There is a joke in my house that your Thanksgiving outfit needs to include elastic waist pants so you can stuff yourself silly with mashed potatoes and pie. I do try to wear a ponte dress instead of yoga pants, but my look is far from being featured in a magazine spread.

Before I give specific suggestions about party pieces, I want to talk about shopping for pieces that aren't the most popular style for a season. Pretty much every store will start getting in a collection of glitzy dresses for the holiday so it can quickly feel like there are no other options. But if you approach your outfit search from the right angle, you will be able to find a great look without a lot of stress.

First, check out the sale section. All the fall pieces (with their lovely autumnal colors) are going to be marked down and put together in an overwhelmingly crowded section at the back of the store. It takes a little bit of patience, but there are often gems back there. When shopping the sale rack, be willing to try on multiple sizes. Sometimes pieces end up back there because their fit was slightly different than the brand's normal sizing and other people were unwilling to try a size up.

Second, shop at department stores. They have a much wider selection because they need to cater to a large audience (and also because their larger physical space means they have room to display more pieces). You can also try a store that focuses more on vintage-inspired or bohemian fashion, such as Anthropologie, because the color palettes there tend more towards the earth tones. 

Now onto answering the original question. My immediate thought when I read this question was that bronze would be the perfect party color. It is earthier and more subdued than gold or silver, but it is still in the metallic family so you have a bit of shine. Plus, the great thing is that bronze comes in many variations as some lean more towards rust red and others to chocolate brown. 

If bronze still feels too glitzy for your tastes, instead focus on the fabric. Taupe or olive green may not seem like party colors, but if your dress is made of flowing silk or delicate lace you will look appropriately dressed. For the holiday season I absolutely love jacquard and flocked fabrics because the texture adds visual interest and since they are thicker fabrics, they feel seasonal.
Also, don't forget about navy and black. While they are darker and harsher than most earth tones, they are great as a contrasting color in a pattern. For example, you will have many more options for party dresses off the rack that are a black and taupe pattern than for one that is only taupe. A pattern or print also is great when you want a piece that feels festive without layering on sparkle. For many of the less popular colors the only options you may be able to find are bridesmaid dresses, which I rarely recommend buying for anything except a stint as a bridesmaid. 

I have created a Pinterest board with party outfit inspiration that is completely free of sequins and that focuses mostly on neutrals and earth tones. A sample of the board is posted here, but be sure to click through to see all the options. (And I will be adding more pins as the holiday season gets underway, so check back to see what else I find.) Also, if anyone else has holiday outfit ideas that fit these requirements, please share them in the comments!
Follow Alice @ practically stylish's board sequin-free party outfits on Pinterest.
Do you have a question you would like me to answer? There are lots of ways to contact me and I'd love to hear from you! 
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evening wear separates for fall

10/14/2014

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Fall fashion is the time to embrace rich colors and luxurious textures. Although it may be tempting to wear only dark neutrals, especially in the evening, there are many stylish ways to make your look a little more interesting. This color palette of black, grey, silver, and deep red is sophisticated and the sequins on the sweater add a hint of fun.

A dress may seem like the obvious choice for an evening out, but I often prefer wearing a skirt. You can switch up the look by choosing tops in different colors. In this outfit I paired black with the floral skirt, but it would look equally great with silver, deep red, or blush pink.

During the summer I suggest wearing silk tops with skirts for evening, but in the cooler months a sweater is a great option both for its warmth and for the texture it adds to the ensemble. Even a skirt you buy for cooler weather may be able to transition to spring or early summer with the right accessories and a top in a seasonal fabric. Don't forget to add nail polish in a coordinating color!
floral & sequin evening wear

floral & sequin evening wear by practicallystylishblog featuring a heart pump
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wedding season: skip the dress and heels

8/15/2014

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When you get a wedding invitation in the mail, there are lots of things that need to be done: accommodations and travel arrangements, choosing the perfect gift, and of course, deciding what to wear. Since dress codes are more of a dress spectrum (and a vague one at that), it is tempting to just wear a variation of what everyone else will be wearing. A dress that hits just above the knee, usually in a solid color or a subdued pattern, heels that are much too high to dance in for hours, and a pashmina to keep the evening breeze at bay. While I love all of those pieces, I don't love wearing the same formulaic outfit over and over. Fashion should be fun and when you have an occasion to dress up you should not be limited! Wedding season is winding down with the summer, but you may still have a few left to attend. And depending on how packed your social calendar is, you may be running out of solid colored, knee-length dresses to wear. 
But, if you skip the dress and heels, the options open up. Plus, you don't have to worry about showing up wearing the same dress as someone else. The one downside to a dress is that it is very obvious when someone is wearing the same one as you. Skirts are great because even if someone else shows up wearing the same one, it is unlikely that they will have paired the same top with it. (Unless you both bought the outfit off a mannequin at the same store.) Your unique styling will keep you looking fresh. 

For the top, choose a fabric with some sheen to make it feel formal enough for evening. I am partial to a silk cowl neck shell in a neutral color that you will be able to pair with a variety of bottoms. For the skirt, texture is key to making it feel dressy. Lace and jacquard are both great options that won't make you look like you ran to the ceremony straight from work. I love the cheerfulness of the orange and pink dot jacquard skirt from Boden, but for those less adventurous with color, there are some lovely black lace options from Ann Taylor and J. Crew. 
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Bella Vita Taliah Flat in Champagne $62.99
You can also leave your heels at home in the closet without feeling guilty. While I love a gorgeous pair of heels that are not practical to walk long distances in, they are not the best footwear option for an event where you want to be socializing and dancing. It's common enough that women kick off their heels to dance barefoot that some couples now make flip flop baskets available at the reception to keep people on the dance floor.
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Boden Spot Jacquard Skirt $108 (also available in navy and teal)
I am not by any means suggesting that your footwear does not matter, but rather that because it is part of your outfit you should choose shoes that you can last all night in. Metallic flats have an extra bit of pizzazz just based on their color, but there are plenty of other ways to make a statement, such as perforation (such as the pair pictured above), contrast coloring, shape. Look for a style with clean lines and stay away from loafers (which look business-y) and thick rubber soles (which look casual). Peep-toe flats are also a fun option because then you can choose a matching or contrasting nail polish color for your toes! You'll get to dance all night and not suffer from sore feet the next morning which is the perfect stylish success.
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J. Crew Metallic Jacquard Cigarette Pant $198
My last suggestion for an unconventional wedding outfit is probably going to be the one that gets the most push-back because it goes furthest away from the wedding formula we are used to. Instead of a dress or a skirt, wear a pair of fancy pants. A straight-leg, ankle-length pant in a jacquard is a great option and can be found in the fancy pants section of a department store. Banana Republic and J. Crew also often carry jacquard ankle pants. Metallic accents, even if it is just metallic threads sewn into the pattern, and rich jewel tones elevate the pants to evening. Pair with a silk cowl neck top, a dark jacket, and heels. (I know I just tried to convince you to wear flats in the last couple paragraphs, but for a dressier event, an ankle pant should be paired with a heel.) A quick note on the jacket--get a jacket or blazer specifically designed for evening. The jacket from your business suit will have the wrong proportions and detailing for the formality of a social evening event. A crepe blend is usually a good bet and details such as gathering around the waist, a grosgrain ribbon tie, or a scalloped collar can make a black blazer the most wonderful piece in your wardrobe. 

For more wedding related fashion thoughts, check out the wedding season tag and be sure to leave your questions and opinions in the comments! Cheers to many happy and stylish weddings ahead!
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wedding season: dresses for bridal showers & rehearsal dinners

7/5/2014

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I love shopping for new dresses, but during wedding season it can be a little overwhelming. Imagine you are invited to three weddings this summer, as well as the accompanying bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. You now have a total of nine events that require you to dress up (in varying degrees). Wouldn't it be nice if you could wear the same dress to several different events?
You may be wondering why I have combined a post about dresses for both bridal showers and for rehearsal dinners because at first glance the two occasions seem to be quite different. Bridal showers are often mid-day affairs and rehearsal dinners are at night. But chances are you don't want to buy nine new dresses and you also want to avoid wearing the same dress to all three showers and another dress to all three dinners. These dresses can be accessorized to work for both occasions (and possibly even for the actual wedding as well) so that wedding season can be a little bit nicer on both your wallet and your sanity.
When looking for a versatile dress, it can be easy to settle on a boring option that you don't love. We think our great dresses are too distinctive so we are wary about wearing them very often. This dress from J. Crew does a great job of mixing a simple shape in a solid color with a detail like the scallop neckline that makes it feel a little more special. 

Since summer is the season of bright colors, a Little Black Dress can look out of place, but darker shade of blue or purple will be a go-to piece all year round. Choose a color that works equally well with both black and metallic shoes and you'll have the perfect dress for all your last minute party invites.
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J. Crew Scallop Crepe Dress $168
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Boden Selina Dress $218
For summertime events, a floral dress is also a great option because it feels festive in a seasonally appropriate way. The key to making the dress work for both day and evening is to choose your fabric wisely. A crisp cotton dress will usually look like casual sundress no matter how much jewelry you wear or how high your heels are. But if you choose a fabric with a little sheen or a soft drape, then it will be easier to accessorize. 

For an afternoon bridal shower, add a cropped cardigan in a bright color that coordinates with your patterned dress and wear simple (but still brightly colored) ballet flats. No jewelry is required so wear only what you would on a daily basis, such as a pair of stud earrings.

To make this dress look fabulous in the evening for a rehearsal dinner, slip into a pair of metallic heels, pull your hair back to display chandelier earrings, and add a delicate bracelet with a touch of sparkle. Grab your metallic clutch and you are ready for a summer evening of fun!
Looking for a few more options? Here are some other dresses I love that will be a hit at parties that you are invited to:
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Kate Spade Saturday V-Neck Shift Dress $160
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Banana Republic Colorblock Ponte Sheath $120
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Anthropologie Gallery Row Dress $188
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