One of the best parts about the holidays (besides finding any excuse for a hot chocolate or gift shopping for others… and yourself!) is picking out your party wardrobe! There have been so many new brands and shops to hit HK this year that we are spoilt for choice so I’m here to help you in your quest for decorating yourself with our gorgeous guide to Holiday Party Style.
Let’s take a look at how to incorporate all of this season’s hottest trends into a festive but fabulous look for the party-hopping circuit!
MAKE-UP: THE SMOKY EYE
The failsafe beauty option for your perfect party look has to be the smoky eye – after all, it’s a classic for a reason! Rach and I recently stopped by the Becca counter at Lane Crawford IFC for a holiday makeover, using their new Smoke & Grace Eye Palettes – which boast four complimentary colours ideal for getting that sultry look.
We both got the smoky eye treatment from Becca’s amazing make-up guru, Jan, but you can easily try it on your own with these easy-to-use palettes. Here are a few of Jan’s top make-up tips to help you with your festive face!
1. Do your smoky eyes before your face, as the shadow may fall under the eye. To clean up the eye area, just dip a Q-tip in foundation/concealer and erase your mistakes!
2. Curl your lashes pre-mascara for added va-va-voom!
3. Pick one… either strong eyes OR strong lips. Choosing both makes you look like a pageant contestant from the 80s. And remember, not to go too overboard with that smoky eye – you don’t want people to be confusing it with a black one!
4. Eat before you apply your make-up. Use a straw to drink after you apply your lip.
5. Pushed for time after work? The Smoke & Grace palettes make the day-to-night transition simple – simply layer on the darker shades or build up a colour for added drama for your party look.
6. Stay away from the shimmer if you have puffy eyes! It only attracts attention.
If you don’t think you can manage alone, then go to the Becca counter for your very own party makeover – it definitely comes Sassy approved! It costs $600 (which you can use towards products at the end), or if you’d rather learn the tricks of the trade for yourself, try a Becca make-up lesson, which costs $900 (also redeemable against Becca products) – and yes, you can ask for Jan!
Becca Smoke & Grace Palettes, $550, available at all Becca counters now
Now onto the clothes…
TRENDS: SEQUINS, SPIKES & BLAZERS
Clockwise, left to right: Metropolitan Museum Of Art Snowflake Ornaments, Reiss Carmen Dress, IRO Tuxedo Jacket, 3.1 Philip Lim The Break-Up Clutch, Deepna Gurnani Cuff, Sam Edelman Danielle Pump, Becca Smoke & Grace Palettes (available from Lane Crawford), Links Of London Infinity Knot Earrings
The little sequin dress is nothing new to the party scene. It is a must-have piece that makes you insta-glam and can set you apart from all the other party goers wearing their basic LBDs… so let’s call this the LSD (little sequin dress)! This one is from Reiss and should be in their IFC store now. The detailing on the waist nips the look in and adds a bit of shape to the shift.
We have jazzed it up for the holiday season with a bold blue pump from Sam Edelman in Lane Crawford and a white tux jacket. I snagged a similar jacket from BCBG not too long ago and it looks great tossed over the shoulders instead of all the way on! The 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch from their store in Harbour City literally adds a pop of colour, whilst for the jewels, we go naughty and nice with a set of spiked bangles from Shopbop and a pair of sweet knot earrings by Links Of London (available in their IFC store). Add in that smoky eye courtesy of Becca and sweep your hair up into a high pony so you stay cool while shaking it to Jingle Bell Rock!
Other LSDs:
Left to right: Alice & Olivia Karmel Dress, ASOS Shift Dress
TRENDS: FANCY PANTS, BLOUSES & NECKLACE STACKING
Clockwise, left to right: Monki nail polishes (available in Langham Place store), Oui Blouse, J.Crew Crystal Mix, Crystal Colour & Classic Link Necklaces, Diptyque Holiday Candle (available from IFC store), Jonathan Saunders Julia Brocade Pants, Alexander McQueen Python Skull Pumps, Monki Stacey Clutch, Juicy Couture Pyramid Ring
Party look number two is great for those of you that don’t like showing your legs or just feel more comfy in a pair of trousers. This pair is from Jonathan Saunders at Net-A-Porter and is a great way to wear green without looking like a Christmas tree! The bottoms are set off perfectly with a crisp white blouse complete with black trim to bring out the pattern in the pants. This style of trouser is perfect when paired with a pump as they add length to the leg and height to your frame! For even more leg length, I paired them with this gorgeous goth-glam McQueen pump in a similar hue (check out the new McQueen store at Elements for loads more colours and styles!). As I love to mix high and low, we balance out the luxe shoe with a clutch and fun bold nail polishes both from Monki!
As for accessories, we’ve been sporting an arm party all summer but with long sleeves taking over for winter we need to move the party north so it can be seen – time to meet the Neck Party! Try stacking several necklaces like the J.Crew ones featured here or you can buy similar at Caty on Caine Road – remember to tell them that Sassy’s Sabrina sent you! And because no party is complete without a cocktail ring, add this Juicy pyramid ring to round out the look. Be sure to pick up a Diptyque holiday candle up from their IFC store to bring as a hostess gift to whatever fab event you are attending!
Other fancy pants:
Left to right: ASOS Spot Jacquard Trousers, Forever 21 Jacquard Metallic Capris
TRENDS: BOLD COLOUR, LACE & ANKLE BOOTS
Clockwise, left to right: Dolce & Gabbana Lace Dress, Kate Spade Double Drop Earrings, Godiva Chocolates, Nine West Amuse Boots, Zara Beaded Box Clutch, YSL Ring
This look makes my heart grow three sizes! If you have someone in need of wowing, then pull out this drop dead Dolce & Gabbana dress to really stop the show! Pair the dress with thick black tights and these little Nine West ankle boots to keep you warm while making your legs look a mile long… and your friends will do double takes when you tell them that this incredible beaded bag is from Zara and only costs $695! We keep the amount of jewels tame and just add these two stunners – Kate Spade earrings and a classic YSL ring. Slick your hair into a low bun and paint your pout with a Rudolph red hue (try MAC’s Ruby Woo, Lady Danger or Russian Red for size) for even more intensity. This outfit could even get a re-wear come Valentine’s Day!
Other lovely lace dresses:
Left to right: ASOS Slash Neck Lace Dress, ONE by Alexis Open Back Lace Dress
TRENDS: ROMPER SUIT, LEATHER & AN ARM PARTY!
Clockwise, from left: Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner (available at Lane Crawford), Stella McCartney Anna Jumpsuit, Mango Leather Jacket, Lovi Birch Wood Christmas Tree, NARS Body Glow (available at Lane Crawford), Perrin Paris Black Cabriolet Clutch (available at Harvey Nichols), Nicholas Kirkwood Pumps, Alexander McQueen 3D Skull Bangle, H&M Bracelet, Biarro Cuff
Black and white are year-round wardrobe must-haves so I’ve modernized these basics with this Stella McCartney romper from Net-A-Porter with ultra flattering contrasting side panels. If you have amazing arms, then this piece is for you! To amp up the buff-ness, apply this NARS Body Glow when you step out of the shower. If you are not as confident in the gun department (or are just cold!), then top the look with this quilted Mango leather jacket. Push up the sleeves to show off the arm party you will be rocking – check out these McQueen and H&M bangles stacked together with this Biarro cuff from Aroxta! You can carry all your holiday cards and invites in this tough-as-nails clutch from Perrin Paris; the glove on the outside is the easiest accessory of all as it is attached to the bag!
For the romper, make sure the pants almost skim the floor – this way you can add some sneaky glam shoes underneath! How gorgeous would these Nicholas Kirkwood platforms be sticking out ever so slightly from the hem?! We saw loads of the amazing shoes he has on offer at Electric Sekki’s London Showrooms event (which showcased the new collections of the hottest Brit designers) and were blown away. Needless to say, our Christmas lists were drafted that evening; you can pick them up from On Pedder (though you may find it tough to stop at one pair)!
To finish the look, add a cat eye with Bobbi Brown’s gel eyeliner. I use this every day and will stand by the fact that it will last long after the karaoke jam session does! Let your hair loose and add a bit of a wave. Need some help in the hair department? Try out the clip-in extensions from Hair Konnections in Sheung Wan for added thickness and length!
Other awesome rompers:
Left to right: Camilla & Marc Estate Jumpsuit, BCBGMAXAZRIA Lowe Jumpsuit
So there you have it – your end-all be-all guide to looking Sassy this holiday season! If this doesn’t have you grabbing your keys and credit cards to head out and pick up your fab festive frocks, I don’t know what will! Get out there and be confident, merry and bright – ‘tis the season, girls!