You've planned the menu, the guest list and the decorations. But do you have any idea what to wear? We'll help you decide early so that your outfit is the last thing on your mind the day of the holiday celebration.
At-Home Celebration
For casual family holiday gatherings, like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, you should focus on comfort. Here's how:
- Look for relaxed shapes in festive fabrics like velour pull-on pants or cashmere tunics.
- Don't dress up while you're cooking; save time during the meal prep to change into your holiday outfit.
- Wear an apron for dinner assembly and serving to protect from spills.
Shop for Aprons
- Avoid tops that will get in the way with serving: anything with droopy sleeves or long belt ties might drop into the serving bowls.
Dinner and Cocktail Parties
If you are hostessing a larger party with a dressier bent, keep most of the rules above in mind, but choose a more formal outfit. Look for:
- A dress that's elegant but not too bare. You want to look special, but still be able to bend over and serve an appetizer without spilling out of a strapless top.
- Shoes you can stand comfortably in for the entire party. Unlike the guests, you'll be milling around, running to the kitchen, etc.
- Pants and a top -- especially something with luxe fabrics like velvet, satin or cashmere -- work great for semi-formal parties. If your evening party is casual, you can even mix jeans with a dressier blouse or sweater.
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