Girl Next Door / November 2011 / Three Weeks to Party Perfect: Week One- The Perfect Party Dress

Nov 30, 201108:57 AMGirl Next Door

Three Weeks to Party Perfect: Week One- The Perfect Party Dress

 

Is it seriously December already? Where on earth has this year gone? I feel like it was only yesterday I was getting myself ready for last Christmas and here it is all over again. One of the best things (in my opinion) about Christmas is that it's a time for drinks, parties and festivities, and the only thing better than that is dressing up for them! I know, I know, finding the perfect party dress is always a challenge, and more often than not we end up reaching for that same tired dress, with the same shoes and the same accessories, that we wore last year, or to Colin's wedding, or Auntie Mary's 80^th. We just don't have time to go buy a new dress, a new outfit or new makeup. With all the present- buying and wrapping, food to buy and cook, and cards to write, you can often find yourself stood in front of your wardrobe, dazed and confused, while your husband is shouting that it's time to leave and you're still in your underwear.

Fear not, I will not allow you to go out in your underwear (unless you really want to, and in Northern Minnesota, this isn't something I would advise). Over the next three weeks I will be taking your through all of your Christmas party checklist (and New Year's too, if you fancy). This week I will take your through a guide to finding your perfect party dress, next week we will be looking at shoes, accessories and cover-ups and finally we will be looking at hair, makeup and the other little details. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go find the perfect dress.

 

1. Start with one open mind

   I can't stress this enough. And I can't stress how many levels this refers to. So if you just do one thing for me this Christmas, can it please be to keep an open mind? Don't have an idea in your head of what your dress is going to look like, think outside the LBD, don't go visit the same stores you always go to. Pick up that pink sequin number and go try it on. Hey, it might look ridiculous (in fact, I think you're okay to keep a closed mind on anything both pink and sequinned), but you might find your dream dress. Finding a dress is like dating- you're gonna have to try on a lot of bad ones until you find the one.

2. ...but have an idea of what you want

   Yes, I know these two thins sound contradictory, and hey, maybe there are, but there are a lot of dresses in the world. There are a lot of dresses in one mall (especially if you go to MOA!). In fact, there are a lot of dresses in one store. While I'm not saying avoid anything that doesn't fit your idea of a perfect dress, have a think about the kind of thing you want to wear. Thinking about the event itself can help. Is it a casual affair, or a floor-length formal party? What kind of people will be attending? What kind of impression do you want to give? What styles, colours and trends do you like right now? This can really help you to narrow down your search. For example, I am lusting after sequins for my Christmas day dress, but I've had to rule anything strapless, one-shouldered or generally more-akin to clubbing than church and anything that is non grandparent-appropriate.

3. Emphasis your best bits

   The great thing about clothes is that they're made to help you look good. You can resist their need to do this sometimes, and hey we all do, but it's not difficult to find something that makes you feel amazing. Great legs? Find something a little shorter. Fab chest? Choose something that emphasises them. Tiny waist? Go for something fitted, or add a belt. I'm not about “hiding” your “flaws” because I think that's dumb and restrictive (I hate my legs, but does that stop my love of mini skirts? No way, Jose!), but I think emphasising your good bits makes you feel so much more confident!!

4. Have a budget in mind

   I know, the dreaded B word. We all hate it but we can't ignore it. However, I will say that calculating the Cost Per Wear (CPW) is a great way to get better value for money. Do you have five parties coming up over the holiday season? Are you okay with wearing the same dress to say, three of those parties? Then your $200 dress works out at only $67 per wear. A bargain dress is not really a saving if you only wear it once, but if you wear a pricier dress 10 times it is likely to work out cheaper. Again with keeping an open mind, don't let your budget be too restrictive. Found a pricey dress you love but you have shoes and a bag to match? Consider your saving by not having to buy new accessories. Similarly, bargain cheap dress with budget to spare? Splash out on more-expensive accessories.

 

Check back next week for my guide to picking your perfect party shoes!