December 2006

The night looks perfect- you have your date, dinner and a cab all lined up. And you love your new dress. Except, you’re hot, you’re cold and then you’re hot again. Or maybe you’re just always cold. Or maybe it’s one those days when the idea of baring your arms is unbearable. While it would be a lot easier if party dresses came with sleeves, they rarely do. Here are three ways to stay warm or undercover, whichever you’d prefer.

Soft Surroundings

You can cheerfully sit in the draft or under the air conditioning in a beaded cardigan. The mainstay of 1950s cocktail parties is just as appropriate today. Plus, it will look equally chic with chinos and flats at brunch on the weekend.

Fredericks of Hollywood

A lace jacket will keep your arms undercover without decreasing the dressiness or adding warmth. And remember, lace is delicate so either use a padded hanger or store it flat wrapped in tissue paper.

Macy's

If you wear an embellished wrap hanging from both shoulders you’ll look like a Spanish widow. To look like a sexy Senorita, wear it over one shoulder and in the crook of the opposite elbow. When you get cold, wrap the elbow side across yourself.

I am tired of the Little Black Dress. I know, I know, you’re doubting my style sanity since it’s practically blasphemous to speak ill of the LBD. But really, there a couple complexions that look radiant in black and a couple that look green. Most of us are somewhere in between- neither glowing nor ghoulish. Why settle for being just another little black dress in the cocktail crowd when you can live it up in color. And to sweeten the deal, you can wear these dresses again during wedding season.

Anthropologie

Once upon a time, coffee was so controversial that Pope Clement VIII had to get involved and baptize it as an acceptable beverage. 400 years later it’s the second most traded commodity in the world (petroleum is the first), but it is still under utilized as a color. Add a jolt of java to your festivities with an espresso patterned dress. Top it off with a splash of pearls or bring out the earthy notes with coral.

Dillards

The difference between looking like you’re going to place a cocktail order vs. take a cocktail order is the shade of red. For a dress that you can wear to the office party or for light refreshments at the Getty’s, look for deep shades of red, like crimson, scarlet or garnet. Onyx and jet will be striking against it or go for Millicent Rogers chic with turquoise and silver.

Spiegel

Some day I plan to conduct a sober and academic study of the effect of champagne’s bubbles on one’s buoyancy while swimming in it. (Who hasn’t wondered about that after a few too many glasses?) But, while we’re waiting for my research grant to come through, let’s be content to float around in champagne colored dresses. Keep it cool and crisp with platinum and diamond jewelry or radiate warmth with gold and topaz.