MOMeo Closet – Flexible Fashion

Audrey McClelland

It’s that time of year – HOLIDAY time!  There seems to be an event or party every time we turn around – between family, friends, work and school functions/events – there’s not much time to rest!

You want to make sure you’re looking oh-so-fabulous at every function you attend. I’m a mother of four boys, aged five and under.  I know the necessity of wearing clothing for changing diapers, heading into boardrooms, and still looking good enough to head out for drinks with clients at the end of the day.

When it comes to holiday dressing, I really want to take that versatility approach and incorporate some of the hot fashion trends right now.  It’s all about selecting key items, even items you may already have, and building upon them.

Whether you’re hosting family, heading to a holiday party, going to an event at your child’s school, dining with clients, or simply celebrating with friends, let me share 10 holiday looks that easily transition from day to evening, and everything in between.

Ruffle Dress

Ruffles are such a hot trend right now.  What I love about this gorgeous navy blue ruffle dress is that it’s flattering for any body type. It’s important to have dresses you can move in and not feel restricted. Pair the dress with a black cardigan shawl, pump it up with a stunning pair of black heels and really have some fun with accessories.  With a dress like this, play up on the bracelets and go subtle with the earrings, such as classic pearls or even diamond studs.  Clutch bags are great when heading to any party or function, too. Just toss in what you need and go.  Sophisticated and elegant.

Black Pants

Black pants should be a staple item in every woman’s wardrobe.  I want to show the ease of dressing up a pair of black pants with a stunning black ruffle silk top.  Toss on some ballet flats, very comfortable shoes if you need to be on your feet.  Gold cuff and necklace are always safe bets with jewelry, and of course, add a little color with a beige ruffle clutch.

Dark Wash Denim

Dark wash denim is acceptable for functions and parties, especially paired with an over-the-top dressy blouse and the perfect pair of heels.  The perfect top is one of the most chic looks to dress up jeans. Sequins are everywhere now, so I chose this fabulous silk tank with sequin work on the collar.  The silk top is a show-stopping piece in itself. Your eye goes directly to the sequin work on top.  Pair with strappy heels and add elegant earrings with a little bit of color. What I love most about this look: the coziness and luxuriousness of the sweater wrap as a cover-up.

The RED Dress

For the holidays, it’s always fun to add some color.  Red is such a holiday color, and just what I was looking for when I found this great red sweater cowl neck dress; talk about making a statement!  Belts are a must-have accessory right now, and nothing looks more classic than a cinched waist (it really adds dimension to a basic sweater dress).  Brown is such a fun color to pair with red.  Don’t be afraid to add color and really mix and match different and unexpected color combinations.

The Boyfriend and Leggings

Leggings and the boyfriend jacket are very trendy items this season.  But how can you make these appropriate for you?  Never wear leggings with heels.  Rather, pair with flats.  Wear the “oversized” boyfriend jacket with leggings.  It will hide all, shall we say, back areas.  Find yourself a blouse to wear underneath that truly adds some fun to the outfit. I chose this blouse with some ruffles because I felt it would really bring warmth and excitement.  If an outfit lacks color, amp it up with accessories.  Note the purple earrings.

Browns and Caramels

Not everyone is into wearing all black, so it’s essential to find another color you feel comfortable in. Browns, tans, caramels and beiges are great options.  Cardigans are such great items to have in your wardrobe because of their versatility. They can be worn and look good with so many items.  I paired this cardigan with a brown pencil skirt, high brown boot and a cream-colored peasant blouse.  Bridging comfort and chicness with “other” color is always exciting.

The Little Black Dress

Every woman needs a Little Black Dress, or LBD.  This is nothing new.  An LBD can easily get you through the holiday season by mixing around jewelry and shoes.  I want to show, with this LBD, how stunning it looks with some touches of bright and bold colors – orange and blue.  Bring in any color with the LBD, colors like reds and pinks and purples and yellows.  And – ah…I love high black boots.  A pair of high black boots will go with anything, even the classic LBD.

The Wrap Dress

Diane Von Furstenburg has brought the wrap dress to a new dimension.  Wrap dresses are key because they fit so well on any body type.  It all comes down to how tightly you desire to wrap it. Wrap dresses are show pieces themselves; you really don’t need to go heavy on accessories or shoes.  I chose purple for this wrap dress because purple is the “it” color this season.

The Wrap Sweater

I’m always amazed the wrap sweater never makes its way onto the “must-have” and “staple” item lists. For me, it’s the key to my wardrobe.  I took a black skirt and tank, and paired it with a gorgeous green wrap sweater, or as some call it, a cozy.  There are over 50 different ways you can wrap a sweater wrap, making it amazingly versatile.  You can easily get away with wearing a sweater wrap throughout the holidays, looking different at every function.  The simplicity and versatility of the sweater wrap makes it the absolute “must-have.”

Monochromatic Looks

There’s always the safe approach to wearing some monochromatic styles throughout the holidays.  The look doesn’t have to be all black, though. Branch out into different colors and hues.  The colors don’t have to match perfectly – the true beauty and elegance of this look.  I took a basic blazer, trouser pant and camisole in different shades of gray and brought this look together.  It’s professional, yet by adding the fabulous maroon ruffle scarf, the outfit comes alive. Your eye is drawn to the dash of color.  This is one of the easiest looks to create, and the color can come from any added accessory – jewelry, belts, scarves and even shoes.