Go Sparkly or Go Home

I feel like every year, holiday dressing gets more and more sparkly. Five years ago, I wore some glittery chandelier earrings with my black New Year's Eve dress; five years from now, I'll be wearing a long-sleeve hooded full bodysuit made up entirely of Swarovski crystals. This is a trend I heartily approve of! Nothing in the world can be that bad when, at least one month a year, it is socially acceptable to dress like a disco ball.

Case in point:

Eliza J Sequin Drape Neck Dress, $79 at Nordstrom. Please, please, someone invite me to a NYE rager (a classy rager, if possible) so I can wear this.

Alice + Olivia + Foley + Corrina

I very rarely browse ShopBop, because everything is out of my price range and it's a bit depressing. But I got an email from them this morning advertising a Friends and Family discount code (use INTHEFAMILY15 to get 15% off), so I thought I might torture myself by looking at Alice + Olivia dresses.

The Lexis Strapless Ballerina Dress, $495, is so Charlotte York, am I right? At least in the earlier seasons of Sex and the City--it's a pretty youthful dress, so I doubt we'll be seeing it in the sequel. And yes, I will be seeing the movie opening weekend just to find out how Charlotte's perfect family is, and what adorable outfits she's wearing in Dubai, and also because Aiden looks better every time they bring him back, I mean seriously, goddamn. Anyway, the dress: the colors remind me of ice cream or cotton candy--it's like what the world's loveliest candy shop clerk would wear. I'd like to see it with a belt in a more contrasting color, like a deeper shade of purple or navy blue. A skinny black studded belt might even work, for a badass ballerina (like Zoe Saldana's character in Center Stage) look.

The Clara '20s Bugle Beaded Dress, $440, could so easily veer into costume territory, as it has a very distinct flapper vibe. But instead, the simple shape and art deco beading keep it from going over-the-top, and it looks like the model just threw it on, walked out the door, and was effortlessly stunning. No jewelry, just a little makeup, simple shoes; let the dress take the spotlight.

Foley + Corrina is another label that I like to browse on ShopBop--there must be something about that plus sign that draws me in.
The Origami Dress, $460, is in the same vein as a lot of gowns we saw at this past season's awards shows (someone with a better memory then me could supply some names--I'm thinking Anne Hathaway but could be wrong). But in many red carpet cases, I found those dresses to be so architectural/sculptural that they looked wrong on a human body. But this dress manages to put that very structured design on a dress that's flattering and looks fun to wear. The ruffle up the skirt is flirty and a bit bohemian, while the gathering on the bodice looks more deliberately shaped (it reminds me a bit of the tissue paper roses you made in kindergarten, but done in a high-fashion way)--no matter where you wear this, no girl in the room will be able to compare. I also adore the rose pink silk peeking out from the nude fabric, which prevents the dreaded washed effect that often happens with neutral colors.

Betsey Johnson and My Dream Dress

I'm always impressed by how accurate the ads on Facebook are. It's always Modcloth ad, book ad, dating ad. Congratulations, Facebook, you've got me completely figured out. Anyway, this dress was in the most recent Modcloth ad, and I thought, "How adorable! And since it's Mod, it will probably be affordable!"


Alas! This dress is by Betsey Johnson, and the Iona Dress costs a cool $485. But oh, it is so fun! Betsey Johnson is not known for her restraint, which I identify with--when I was a kid, my mom felt compelled to make an extra large donation to the class arts and crafts supplies, because she knew I would cover any project with glitter, glue, markers, stickers, and dried macaroni. This dress is the equivalent of my early artwork, with the embroidery, lace, tulle, and big old sash with a bow in the back. It's totally over-the-top, but sometimes a girl needs a dress like that. Just ask Miley!

Alex and I went to see The Last Song... for the lulz, I swear! We spent the whole movie making snarky comments about Miley's "acting" and Nicholas Sparks's "writing," but we both agreed that this dress was a winner. It's a tea length, around the shins, and it looks so fresh and young that I can't help but be jealous of Miley for getting to wear it (and also for getting to hang out in Tybee Island, Georgia, which looks absolutely gorgeous). It reminds me of that giant poofy dress (Oscar de la Renta?) that Carrie wore when she went to Paris with Aleksandr. And so, while I will not be buying the Betsey Johnson dress, I will continue to dream of the frilly confection of a dress of my dreams.

Sparkly and Lovely, Courtesy of J.Crew

Now that it's December, and all I want to do is get all tinseled up like a human Christmas tree. J.Crew is here to help me out with everything I might need for holiday parties, New Year's Eve, Secret Santa, or just trips to Starbucks for peppermint mochas:

Crystal Supernova Necklace, $128, is appropriately described as "an explosion of sparkle." It's the type of jewelry that will elevate whatever you're wearing and take it to the next level--I'd be a bit tempted to wear it with my most casual, worn-in dress just to see if it could rejuvenate it.


J.Crew is all about putting sequins on cardigans this summer, and those are two of my favorite things! This sequin scarf cardigan, $110.40, might, I admit, be a little bit too much of a good thing--you probably couldn't wear it during the day. But at night, when it's a little chilly but you aren't willing to bundle up in plain black wool, this is a showstopping sweater.


So the bowtie skirt, $350, is something that, if I were to find in a thrift shop for $20, would grab and make fun of to my friend, and then I'd say, "Hey, I might as well try it on," and in the dressing room I'd spent about 20 minutes staring in the mirror, trying to decide if it's whimsically cute or way too weird. I mean, it's a bunch of gold bowties sewed to a skirt. And eventually I'd decide to buy it, even though I wouldn't be sure if I'd ever wear it. So obviously I'm not planning on buying this $350 version, or suggesting that you buy it. I'm just saying, I think I've come down on the side of "whimsically cute."

Life is a Cabaret

Is it me or are these Prima Donna High Heels, $149.99 at Modcloth, the most fabulous shoes in the world? The combination of black sequins, red suede, and gold leather could be horribly tacky, but instead they're glamorous in an "I am big, it's the pictures that got small!" sort of way. I want to wear them with Modcloth's Lovely Liza dress, $79.99 and then perform some sort of one-woman show that ends with the audience showering me with roses. Is that too much to ask?

How to Rival the Times Square Ball

There is a time for subtle, demure, tasteful clothes. New Year's Eve is not it. Bring on the sequins, sparkles, and metallics!

From Heavenly Hostess, this is not a skirt-- it's an apron. It's the shiniest, hottest, most glamorous apron you will ever see. This is not the sort of apron you wear while making spaghetti for your family of 8-- it's dry clean only, so, impractical. No, you should wear the Sparkle Cocktail Apron, $120, over a LBD that used to be your go-to dress for cocktail hour but has gotten a bit stale recently, and could use some sprucing up. The sort of sprucing up that starbursts of gold and green sequins and a bit satin bow can accomplish!


If you'd rather wear a real skirt, J.Crew has the perfect option with their Liquid-Gold Sequin Skirt, $199. I love the understated ribbon waistband and the fun, swingy movement created by the pleats.

Also from J.Crew, the Bottle Sequin Jacket, $499, is in the most unique shade of olive. The cropped sleeves and hem make it perfect for throwing on over a simpler dress.

Vera Wang can be counted on to do a metallics without going over the top. From her Lavender Label, the Strapless Bustier Dress, $247.50, features a lightly shimmery silver lame fabric and an impeccably ruched bodice. Perfect if your New Year's Resolution is to spend more time in the spotlight.


I adore Herve Leger's bandage dresses-- they make every single figure look slamming. This Sequin Bandage dress, $2,800, is especially fierce. The ombre stripes give admirers the excuse to look you up and down.


This Old Navy Patent Clutch, $9.99, adds a touch of class and glamour to every outfit. The distressed faux-leather gives it a vintage, lived-in vibe, and the simple inside pocket forces you to prioritize your belongings. It also comes in a flashy bronze color, but I'm a fan of the dark teal.

I love these Mossimo Iyanna Sequin Trim Shoes, $19.99 (see what I was saying about my love of cheap shoes?). The ankle strap and low heel makes these practical for a more active New Year's Eve: bar-hopping, perhaps, or an outdoor block party. I like how the sequins are almost tiny mirrors-- it's very disco.

Everyone have a happy, safe and fabulous New Year's!