Dallas County Living Well Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 25

Haute for the Holidays

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By Nina Malkin

ith all the hustle-bustle of the season, who
wouldn’t want to throw on a Santa sweater or
some reindeer earrings and call it done? But
special occasion dressing needn’t be stressful. These expert tips will get you stylish, comfortable, and very much in the spirit.
Wardrobe wipeout: As a general rule, personal style
mentor Alexandra Greenawalt (www.alexandrastylist.com)
suggests tossing festive attire that’s more than seven years
old. “As we age we tend to forget
how dated our clothes are,” she
says. “It’s especially important to
keep fresh and current at the holidays, since you’re in the spotlight.”
What’s more, passé party clothes
that suited your shape back then
may not be as flattering now.
Festive fabrics: The better you
feel, the better you’ll look—that’s
why jersey and ponté knit are
top picks for personal brand expert Nicole Longstreath (check out
her Holiday Style Guide at www.
thewardrobecode.com). “Both are
very comfortable and forgiving,
body conscious without calling attention to bulges,” she says. If you
need to go a bit more gala, velvet
is a luxurious choice.

Subtle sparkle: This is a time for
shine, but dressing like a Christmas tree is kid stuff. “Don’t let glitz overpower elegance,”
counsels Greenawalt, whose new book, Vetted by a Stylist,
bows this December.