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