| Dressing for Your Holiday Office Party: What | | | | 4. Bracelets can also add instant glamour but |
| To Wear!by: Victoria Winston | | | | this year the look is to wear them in |
| | | | multiples in different textures and colors. |
| How to go from 9-to-5 to After-5 in A Flash! | | | | If you start with a few crystal beaded |
| | | | designs, you can then add a metal bangle or a |
| It's 5 o'clock - but it's not quitting time. | | | | dress watch into the mix for a look that is |
| Instead, it's the holiday office party . | | | | eclectic and casual, yet festive. Push up |
| And if you're like most women it's an event | | | | the sleeves on your jacket or sweater, to |
| that can leave you shrugging your shoulders | | | | give bracelets maximum exposure. |
| and wondering what in the world to wear. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Another great "glam" look this year is |
| Complicating matters further: When you don't | | | | matching cuff bracelets, one for each hand. |
| have time to stop home and change - and must | | | | To create the look for less, skip the |
| go right from a day behind a computer to a | | | | expensive precious metal and gemstones and |
| night of champagne cocktails. | | | | opt for costume cuffs set with faux stones. |
| | | | |
| But before try to spend the day doing spread | | | | 6. Remember those plain black pumps that |
| sheets in a sequined tank top and | | | | carried you up the train steps and down the |
| glittery tulle skirt listen up: With just a | | | | hall all day long? Glam them up as well with |
| little clever accessorizing you can turn any | | | | this year's hottest new style accessory - |
| typical work outfit into a classy party | | | | shoe clips! From floppy chiffon bows, to |
| look. | | | | glistening crystal flowers, to tailored, gold |
| | | | or silver insignias, you can quickly turn a |
| Where do you begin? By starting your day | | | | plain pump into a designer shoe - and take |
| with the most basic wardrobe essentials - a | | | | your entire outfit to a whole new level in |
| black or other solid color suit or dress. Or, | | | | the process. |
| if you wear slacks to work, choose a pair of | | | | |
| solid trousers and matching color sweater. | | | | 7. Finish off your look with one, fabulously |
| | | | large cocktail ring - a great fake won on any |
| Now if you're thinking that so far, this | | | | finger. Indeed, the look this year is |
| doesn't sound very festive, hold on - | | | | "You've got it, so flaunt it" style - using |
| because the magic is about to begin. Waving | | | | large center stones to create a big presence |
| the wand is the power of accessories - the | | | | on even the tiniest of hands. But remember, |
| best way to go from daytime to nighttime in a | | | | just one is all you need! |
| flash! | | | | |
| | | | 8. Nothing screams "day at the office" more |
| To help you get started: Here are 10 super | | | | than a clunky, large tote bag -and it can |
| CountryDutchess tips that can turn any basic | | | | ruin an otherwise perfect evening look. To |
| work attire into a glamorous night time look | | | | keep that from happening, pare down the |
| .The best part: You can carry the entire | | | | essentials you normally carry and take only |
| transformation in a plastic baggy stashed in | | | | the things you really need - like a driver's |
| your purse! | | | | license, credit card, cash and keys. Then |
| | | | tuck in a small evening bag. When party time |
| 1. Never overlook the glam power of a great | | | | arrives, transfer the essentials to the |
| pair of earrings. And, the more dramatic the | | | | smaller bag and tuck the tote in a desk |
| better. If you always wear nothing but small | | | | drawer or locker and retrieve it the next |
| studs or tiny hoops, here's a chance to wow | | | | day. |
| colleagues with your style by choosing a | | | | |
| dramatic pair of Boho chandeliers or a dressy | | | | 9. When it comes to glammjng up your makeup, |
| crystal drop earring. It's instant glamour | | | | don't try to redo your entire face. Instead |
| for even the simplest dress. | | | | use only a few products to add accents of |
| | | | glamour - like a frosted lipstick, an extra |
| 2. Fill in your neckline with color and | | | | coat of mascara, and just a hint of frosted |
| light, adding either a sparkly lame scarf, | | | | powder or blush (not both) on the very tops |
| or better still, a crystal necklace in a | | | | of your cheekbones and around the perimeter |
| shimmering gold, silver or bright color. | | | | of your hairline. Remember, you don't want |
| This will bring both light and color to your | | | | to look like Tinkerbell - so use a light |
| face and dramatically change your overall | | | | hand. |
| look. | | | | |
| | | | 10. For instant party hair, pick up one of |
| 3. If you're not the necklace type jazz up | | | | those fabulous new clip-on chignons - faux |
| your look with several brightly colored | | | | hair that attaches to your own hair with a |
| crystal pins. But skip the Christmas trees, | | | | secure butterfly clip. If you have long |
| wreaths that light up when you pull the | | | | hair, pull it back in a bun or pony tail and |
| string and Santa Claus faces. Instead chose | | | | clip on the piece. If your hair is short, |
| one, large glistening crystal pin | | | | tuck in the ends with bobby pins and clip the |
| reminiscent of a snow flake and surround it | | | | chignon at the base of your neck , Add those |
| with several smaller styles in colors that | | | | glamorous earrings and you'll have instant |
| match either your earrings . . .or your | | | | ballerina glamour - chic, sophisticated and |
| eyes! | | | | stylish! |
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