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Dazzle in Holiday Party Attire

'Tis the season to be social, and along with the appetizers, cocktails and small talk comes the excuse to dress in celebratory style. Get glamorous and glorious in sumptuous fabrics gleaming with enough sparkle and fire to warm any winter night. Check out the latest in festive finery, and let the parties begin! — Shannon McCarthy
Shopping

Dresses: Velvet

Velvet dress Next Slide

Bing Shopping: Velvet

Couture designers are in love with the regal fabric, and this means it’s been reinterpreted at more affordable price points for everyone’s party circuit. Trend-right touches include jewel tones (especially emerald), long-sleeve and long-draping gown shapes, and animal-print burnout patterns.

MSN Living
1 of 17 Photo: Neiman Marcus

Dresses: Sequins

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Bing Shopping: Sequins

All holiday fashion guides tout high-wattage shine, but this season is set to be the sparkliest on record. Sequins embellish everything from tiny cocktail frocks to frothy chiffon ball gowns. Mesh is a favorite (and very body-con) material for anchoring all that shimmer, and colored sequins are hipper than clear.

2 of 17 Photo: 6pm.com

Dresses: Lace

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Bing Shopping: Lace

It’s a timeless and traditional holiday party pick, but also super trend-right this year, so go ahead and indulge in the latest variations on this textural marvel – colored lace is breathtaking (reds, greens, blues), sequin dusting adds irresistible shine, and lace woven with metallic glams up the simplest silhouettes.

3 of 17 Photo: neimanmarcus.com

Dresses: The LBD

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Bing Shopping: The LBD

No fete fashion list would be complete without the all time classic party dress. It’s little and it’s black and beyond that, the choices are (almost) endless. Pleated chiffon gowns flirt, bandage-style dresses knock everyone out and simple (and all-evening comfy) shifts shine with beautiful beading.

4 of 17 Photo: neimanmarcus.com

Separates: Tuxedo jackets

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Bing Shopping: Tuxedo jackets

Seen on big city streets over skinny jeans or long skirts, these classy toppers are a trend-fave of the fashionista crowd, so they’re taking up more rack space in stores both high-end and mass merchant. Tuxedo jackets are also a no-brainer for pairing with silk pants or flowy chiffon skirts for the holidays.

5 of 17 Photo: Landsend.com

Separates: Statement pants

Previous Slide Coated skinny jeans Next Slide

Bing Shopping: Statement denim

Wanna get through the holiday party rounds wearing jeans? Impossible? Not with the latest crop of mega-dazzling denim. Sometimes deemed “trophy pants,” pairs printed, coated, foiled and waxed give off enough glam to get you into all but the swankiest affairs. Top these jean dreams with luxe knits or sparkle-heavy blouses.

6 of 17 Photo: Zappos.com

Separates: Fancy tops

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Bing Shopping: Fancy tops and embellished tunics

From the simplest embellished tanks to intricately embroidered dolman-sleeve chiffon blouses, you’ll top any best-dressed list in one of these spectacular shirts. And don’t forget the party power of a tunic – more material means more room for rich patterns, brilliant shine or breathtaking embroidery.

7 of 17 Photo: Lanebryant.com

Separates: Leather skirts

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Bing Shopping: Leather skirts

Use the excuse of all those holiday parties to purchase a sleek leather pencil skirt and you’ll be making a wise investment. You’ll wear this wardrobe workhorse in scads of situations – in the office, out to dinner and drinks; even dressed down with a cozy knit sweater and booties for weekend casual.

8 of 17 Photo: Neimanmarcus.com

Handbags & shoes: Opulent clutches

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Bing Shopping: Opulent clutches

Carry on, darling, and do it in savvy party style with a little, but luxe, clutch. Whether you choose a softly constructed version, a framed purse, a rectangle, square or even more fanciful shape, look for clutches encrusted with sequins, beading, glitter or boho-beautiful embroidery.

9 of 17 Photo: Shoebuy.com

Handbags & shoes: Mini shoulder bags

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Bing Shopping: Mini shoulder bags

Mini bags don’t skimp on the sizzle this season. Easy to carry via the slinky shoulder strap, these purses keep your hands free for more important party activities – cocktails and canapés, anyone? They also skew a little more casual than fancy clutches and match perfectly with short, saucy gowns.

10 of 17 Photo: Guess
Previous Slide
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