The Proper Party Animal

It is the season. The season for evergreen trees and sparkling ornaments. The season for giving and getting. The season for lots and lots of chocolate. It is also the season for lots and lots of parties. Family parties, caroling parties, office parties and tree trimming parties. That's a lot of dresses! Here are some tips to look your holiday best no matter where you're going.

Office Space

For a work holiday party, err on the conservative side and stay away from anything that might be considered risque. I think we can all agree that flashing your boss is not the way to spread holiday cheer. Go for something simple but sophisticated, such as a slinky pencil skirt and a ruffled top, or a little black dress with tasteful embellishments. Also, don't be afraid to experiment with color and texture. Shoes and jewelry can add just the right amount of pop and uniqueness. If you are going with bold colors in your clothes, though, keep your jewelry in a supporting role rather than center stage. Finally, try not to confess your undying love for that co-worker you've been crushing on in front of everyone, and the evening should be a success!

In the neighborhood

For a neighborhood party with friends you have a lot more leeway with your wardrobe. Don't be afraid to mix unexpected items, such as a lace over-lay top with a bright skirt and a patterned clutch or shoes. If you opt for pants, they don't have to be boring or overly dressy. Pants in a fancier fabric, such as velvet or satin, are sleek and chic, and comfortable to boot.

Fancy Pants

If you are attending a party at a country club, or at the home of a client or business contact, easy elegance is the order of the day. Wearing a dress will help you feel more pulled together. Spice it up with a patent belt around the waist, or a shiny clutch. Fancy jewelry, such as a large statement necklace or a sparkling brooch will add the perfect polish, and keep all eyes on you for all the right reasons.

Forget The Faux Pas

It will be pretty hard to go wrong if you follow the tips we've already talked about but, just in case, here are some things to be sure to avoid, no matter what the occassion.

1. Wearing too much glitz. Beading and metallics are exactly what the season ordered, but use them sparingly and well. Too much shine can overwhelm anyone, especially if you put it in places you don't necessarily want to highlight. For example, our busty friends shouldn't wear a sweater with extensive embellishment in the chest area. Don't say I didn't warn you.

2. Showing too much skin. Thigh-high miniskirts and dresses cut down to the belly button look great on the runway, but are basically impossible to pull off in real life, so let's not even try, shall we? Not only is it possible to look sexy and still leave something to the imagination, you'll look your best when you do. The secret is to wear things that make a suggestion rather than an outright statement. A lace camisole hints at great cleavage (again with the bustiness), a simple slit in a skirt gives a glimpse of great gams, and a cap sleeved dress is the perfect way to show off toned arms.

3. Getting caught with nothing to wear. There is nothing worse than getting an invitation to the perfect holiday party and not having the perfect thing to wear. By keeping a few dressy basics in your closet, you'll be ready for even the most last-minute of invitations.

4. Making it too complicated. Even the most organized woman can get overwhelmed during the holiday season, coordinating travel, baking, parties and presents with the perfect holiday wardrobe on top. Instead of trying to match separates, go with a simple black dress this season, and change it up with different accessories and shoes. Throw on a luxurious wrap for a dressy party, or a pair of flats and a chunky beaded necklace for a more casual affair. You'll feel like you're wearing a different dress every time, and so will everyone else.

5. Being under or over dressed. There's nothing worse than showing up in jeans when everyone else is in velvet, or wearing a party dress when everyone else is in business clothes. And you're not alone if you can't decipher vague descriptions like "business casual" or "cocktail attire," so when in doubt call your host and ask what would be best.

Are you a party animal?

What ensemble puts the happy in your holidays?

Night to Day

One of my favorite things about the winter season is fancy, frilly party dresses. I love them. All that shiny satin, sparkling sequins and beads, ruffles and pleats and all around goodness. I can't get enough. But, I am always reluctant to spend a lot of money on a party dress because I wear it to a party and then what?

Well, I finally have the answer! Then I turn that party dress into an everyday dress, like this:

I think this outfit is brilliant. (Why didn't I think of it?) By pairing a fancier dress with colorful, casual shoes, and a quilted jacket that could be worn just as easily with jeans, our friend here turns the party into the everyday practical.

Some other ways to achieve the same result could include pairing colorful patterned tights and flat boots with a slinky satin dress, or throwing a cardigan and ballet flats on with a longer, slim and sweeping gown. Try leaving the front of a button-up dress open and wearing a collared shirt under it, or wearing a shorter, cocktail-style dress over pants or leggings. The options are endless! And you'll get more mileage out of your pretty party dresses than ever before.

For more style inspiration like this, check out The Sartorialist.

And tell us, how would you transform your favorite party dress into everyday wear?

Hostess with the Most-est

Even though there is no snow on the ground around here (and fingers crossed it stays that way), I think it is safe to say the holiday season is well underway. My Christmas tree is up. How about yours? (And does anyone have a spare Nativity scene? I need one. Call me!)

With the holiday season, of course, come holiday parties. Wasail, cookies and mistletoe aren't hard to pull together, but what to wear when you are the hostess? Here are a few ideas.

For an at-home celebration with family and close friends, such as Christmas dinner, focus on function over form.

Look for relaxed shapes in fabrics that celebrate the season, such as velour pants or cashmere tunics.

Don't dress up while you're cooking. (My mom was sure glad she followed this rule on Thanksgiving when she took the turkey out of the oven and the juice spilled everywhere. Literally. Beware. That could be you.) Instead, save time during your meal prep to change into your holiday outfit. Once you're changed, you should still wear an apron while you assemble and serve dinner to protect your holiday duds from spills.

Also avoid anything with droopy sleeves or long belt ties that might drop into serving bowls and plates. People would rather look at your clothes than eat them.

If you are hostessing a larger party with a dressier bent, such as a holiday cocktail party, keep in mind the rules we have already talked about, but go for a more formal ensemble.

Look, for example, for a dress that is elegant but not too bare. You want to look special but not let anyone get a look at anything special (if you see what I mean) when you bend over to serve an appetizer. Now, don't be afraid to show off your curves, but also be sure that whatever you wear leaves plenty of room to move. You'll be doing a lot of hugging ansd greeting, after all.

Also, choose a pair of shoes you can stand in comfortably for the entire party. Your guests can take a load off whenever they want, but you'll be milling around, hustling back and forth to the kitchen and maybe even outrunning overly-zealous guests who want to catch you under the mistletoe. If you don't want to be a cripple the next morning, comfy shoes are a must. If you'll be sitting down for most of the night, think about a pair of flirty feathery slippers instead of traditional shoes.

You can also opt for pants and a top instead of a dress. Tops and bottoms made from luxe fabrics such as velvet, satin or cashmere work especially well for semi-formal parties. If your party is casual, you can even mix jeans with a dressier blouse or sweater.

Also remember, as the hostess it's your job to let your guests, and your party shine. While as a guest you might want to spice things up with a unique piece of jewelry or a bold patterned shirt, less is more for the hostess with the most-est.

Are you a party animal?

Tell us about your favorite hostess ensemble.

Here comes the... Perfectly Dressed Wedding Guest!

I am going to make a little confession here and say that weddings are not my favorite thing. In fact, a few summer ago I took a little wedding hiatus. I mean, sure, I love to see my friends and family members happy and in love as much as the next person, but the whole business of wedding attendance can be completely exhausting. What to get for a gift? To take a date or no? And, of course, what in the world to wear?

Well, here at Shabby Apple we can't solve all your problems, but we can solve some. Because we can't stay on wedding hiatus forever, here are some helpful hints for looking good at any nuptial celebration, without upstaging the bride, of course. (Unless, of course, the bride happens to be marrying your ex-boyfriend or something, in which case I think a totally different set of rules apply.)

But, I digress.

Fall-ing In Love

For a fall wedding, brown, orange, cream and yellow accent items such as shoes, purses, scarves and jewelry, will help tie your ensemble together, and tie it to the season as well. What's that you say? You wish you had a killer pair of orange suede heels? We thought you might say that. Don't be afraid to choose a dress with a bold pattern, like autumnal plaid, or an eye-catching metallic dress that transitions perfectly from a quiet evening ceremony to the late-night wedding festivities. Also don't be afraid to use some layers. I don't care what your mom said at Prom. There is no need to freeze to look good!

Winter Wonderland

For a winter wedding, stick to dresses with a little more length, as well as dresses made from thicker material. Accents in red, black or plum are a good way to bring a little style to the long winter months. Just be sure that whatever you choose matches the tone and setting of the wedding. For more formal affairs, stick with elegant, knee-length dresses, such as the classy black lace Antiquated dress, and simple accessories in metallics or shiny stones. (Don't be afraid of cubic zirconia. We promise no one can tell the difference!) Strings of beads and tea-length dresses are a good option for more casual events.

Spring Bliss

It might seem far away, but Spring wedding invitations will be coming before you know it, so might as well start planning now. As always with Spring, pastel colors and floral prints on a light, airy fabric do best. Word to the wise (from more personal experience than I would care to admit): triple-check the transparency of your light, airy dress before you walk out the door and into the chapel of love. You upstaging the bride is bad enough. Your unmentionables on accidental display upstaging her is even worse.

Summer Lovin'

For summer weddings, forget about fancy accessories and go for bright, bold colors that speak for themselves. Knee-length dresses are best for summer, and if you have to spice them up, do it with a bold belt or brightly patterned shoes.

My final word of advice? Wear a dress with plenty of mobility for all-night dancing, and the brawl that will certainly follow the bouquet toss. You'll be worried about what people will wear to your wedding before you know it.

Are you an expert on dressing for someone else's wedded bliss?
Please, give us your best "perfectly dressed guest" tips!