Sleeves, Please

Holiday party season is in full swing. I have been nose-diving into pools and pools of  party dresses for clients — lots of them shiny. Sparkly. Poofy. Pleated. Peplumed. Laced. Cut out here. Cut out there. Strapless. One-shoulder. Off-the-shoulder.

This year, though, I want sleeves. Long ones.

I decided early on in the season that this was the season of less-is-more. Buying less, buying what really is going to have staying power, buying quality and fit or…in some cases (shop your closet anyone?) not buying at all.  With that in mind, my favorite party dress  this season is a perfectly perfect, less-is-more LBD…with sleeves, scoop neckline, and hemline that is just right above the knee. Perfect with snakeskin cutout booties/heels accented with cuffs, a high-wattage necklace or chandelier earrings. Then again, it would be just as perfect, minimally, with red pumps.

I have put Trina Turk’s Jayla dress in clients’ closets and now…it is  sold out everywhere. But never fear…there are substitutes out there!

The key to this dress is that it is body-con…ish. But instead of sausage-casing tight, the small details (pleats, seaming) and material skim and support instead of cling to your body’s curves.

 So ladies, there you go. One for the ages. A dress that fits, flatters, is more than for just that one night out… and allows you to eat. Happy Holidays.