Holiday Party Looks

The holidays are upon us and with them come the myriad of parties and social events we have all come to love and hate. I don't know about you but I get tired of eggnog after awhile and nothing is more daunting than dressing for the holidays. Clothes for this time of year can often be equal part hideous and atrocious spanning the range from those god-awful Christmas theme sweaters to all manner of candy cane inspired accessories. Unless you're a member of The White Stripes pepperminty clothes just aren't a good look this time of year. So how does one manage to look festive without resembling an ornament? What do you wear to the holiday party or just to sip cocoa with friends? Here are two looks and a some tips to get you through this season of parties and presents.

Look 1: Sooo Luxurious!


Left to right: Maggie London Silk Dress, Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch, Jimmy Choo sandals, Chanel Rouge Allure, Natasha Collins Garnet Earrings, Jil Sander stole, Dior Joaillerie ring


If there ever was a time to go all out glam this would be it. Weather be damned! Take out those strappy sandals, grab your evening bag and blind them with bling because its your time to shine. This outfit is all about glamour, its perfect to wear to that chic cocktail party or formal holiday gathering. Take one classic red cocktail dress, a really timeless piece guaranteed to have every eye on you, Bottega Veneta's (how much to I love Bottega right now) knot clutch, an astonishing piece of woven handiwork and golden sandals and you have an outfit fit for the red carpet. Add in the ruby earrings, the ulimate Dior diamond ring and a fuzzy stole and you're all set for classic glamour. And what better time to look and feel like a star than Christmas.



Look 2: Sweater Dressing


Caslon Cardigan, Tory Burch Reva Flats, Bobbi Brown Lipgloss, Frank Gehry for Tiffany Bracelet, Goldhawk camisole, Marc Jacobs Stam Bag, Giles & Brother Coin Necklace

Not every occasion calls for little red dresses and diamonds, sometimes all you need is a cozy sweater and some jeans. There is the temptation to slink around in tracksuits and trainers during our off days but cozy doesn't have to look frumpy. A knit sweater, like this one from Carlson, paired with jeans and a flirty camisole looks cool and chic without being overdone. Add a chunky golden necklace, a unique bracelet and metallic flats (I love the Tory Burch Reva's as they are quite comfortable) for that extra holiday sparkle.

Holiday Keys

- Don't Overdose On Tinsel: Metallics are best left to accessories and of course on the tree.

- Step away from the Christmas themed stuff: No one on earth looks good in a sweater emblazoned with a giant snowman on it. No one.

- Wear Color and Loads of It: Give all black a rest, now is the perfect time to wear those amazing reds, rich greens and winter whites. Make sure to pair them with warm nuetrals like chocolate brown and gold for contrast.

- Treat Yourself: Nothing looks or feels better than a cashmere sweater, a golden necklace or a diamond ring and if there ever was a time to indulge... Wear your very best and if you want something extravagant put it on your wishlist. You never know who wants to splurge on you.

- Have Fun: When you feel good you look good. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

What goodies are on everyone's holiday wishlist? I know I want that Dior ring. Though I'll probably end up with a lump of coal :D

Woman In Full: Keely Shaye Smith

Every so often were going to focus in on beautiful woman in the public eye who isn't the cookie cutter Hollywood size 0 but is gorgeous, intelligent and doing her thing. Today were going to look at Keely Shaye Smith, the beautiful wife of actor Pierce Brosnan. Keely was featured this year as part of Vogue's "Shape Issue." In spite of the fact that Vogue is the worlds premiere fashion magazine its "Shape Issue" is usually a complete waste of paper. It should, in honesty be called "Issues with Shape."

That said, every once and awhile Vogue showcases an individual who is stylish, unique and outside the realm of their usual comfort zone. This year that person was Keely.



What I like about Keely's style is that its very classic. She has a look and she sticks to it, there's something very regal about the clothes she picks. There is a clear old-Hollywood influence. She reminds me of the golden age pinups like Rita Hayworth and Jane Russell. She is always dressed to the nines and favors classic labels like Valentino and De La Renta who focus on cut and shape as opposed to the latest trends. Add to this the fact that she knows how to accentuate the positive and isn't afraid of a daring neckline either.

Keely's Tips:

• "I never hide in baggy clothing."
• Sometimes it seems like bras are made to thrust your breasts outward. Its too much in your face, and a camisole helps tone it down a bit."
• "Fit is key, and oftentimes all it takes is a simple remedy to get it right. For example, if a jacket is pulling in the bust, I might just move the button an inch."
• "You don't have to look a mess just because you're at the beach. A pair of Jackie O. sunglasses and a ponytail will always look beautiful."
• "You can't have too many strands of pearls."
• "I probably have more handbags than I can admit."

A Few of Keely's Favorite Things



Full Vogue Feature

Even Kaiser himself has nothing but love for Keely and he hates everyone.



Can we please talk about the look on Karl's face in that picture.

Apropos of nothing while typing up this post I couldn't help but think of how cool it would be for James Bond to have a love interest with some curvature. Eva Green is pretty but she's quite the waif. Then again I don't know if Daniel Craig could handle it :)

Fashion vs. Society

Very interesting OP-ED piece by India Knight on the never-ending model debate in the Times this morning. Knight takes the stance that people need to stop blaming fashion and start looking at themselves and society with regards to the continuing cycle of eating disorders and body hatred. Its a well written piece with alot to say.

"Why has this happened? The reason that’s churned out most often concerns the fashion industry and the alleged conspiracy between gay men and loony stylists to impose their distorted, misogynistic view of female beauty on the rest of us. Ergo, fashion people make you anorexic; ergo, Vogue makes you ill. That’s an incredibly simplistic take. But if fashion isn’t to blame, who is?

Well we are. The fashion industry hasn’t changed; we have. It is a fact of life that models have always been a) thin and b) young. The difference is that, until recently, people understood that models were working women doing a job, that they made sacrifices, most obviously when it came to not eating very much, and were richly rewarded for it. Nobody in their right mind wanted to be these women: they admired them in the pages of a glossy magazine and admired the clothes they wore, and then forgot about them and got on with their lives. Models occupied the same rarefied stratosphere as movie stars. Women used to be able to separate real life from airbrushed fantasy. We can’t any more".

I think this is is a unique perspective on a controversial subject. Fashion has always celebrated thinness and youth but only in the past decade has there been a societal uproar over it. While I do feel the aesthetic has gotten leaner over the years I think that some of the focus has to be put on society as a whole. I know that I've been guilty of ignoring reality when I look at the lean shape of a Gemma Ward or Lily Donaldson. It is easy to forget that their bodies are genetic anomalies and that 6ft tall, 100lbs is not an attainable look for most.

"Blaming the fashion industry for what is a societal problem is demonstrably not working. We need to look a little more closely at ourselves and ask how we’ve become so insecure as to believe in starvation as an indicator of beauty, and how we seem to have entirely lost touch with the idea that people’s interiors are more important than what’s on the outside."

I'm intrigued to know how others feel on this debate, does fashion just reflect societies wants? Or is there something deeper there within the industry.

Full London Times Article

And apologies for my extended hiatus. TFFF will now be updated bi-weekly with new content, new contributors and new editorials!