Thinking Ahead to the Holidays
When this Connected Apparel plus size dress arrived from Gwynnie Bee, I was pleasantly surprised. It was looser fitting than I’d expected and stretchier. But in sort of a thick, slinky way, so lumps and bumps don’t show much and it just skims away from the body. Nice.
The v-neck was not too low and the bell sleeves were not too long. And there’s just enough glittery gold in it that it would make a great holiday dress. Stretchy beats tight waistband at the Thanksgiving table any day!
To a family dinner I would wear these black flats (my super comfortable “off road” shoes by Taryn Rose, similar here and here), but if I were going out to an office party or with friends I might wear black opaque tights and black booties like this or this.
Usually I would like another layer over a dress like this, like a duster-length cardigan, but I was pretty comfortable in this dress as-is. I’d just add a black coat or biker jacket (like here or here) to take it up a notch.
I know we all want to look nice for holiday events, but I think comfort is so important as well, so we’re not spending the whole time thinking “I just want to get home and get out of this dress/belt/bra/shoe!”
This dress arrived in the mail on a drippy grey day when I had no photographer. I’d really wanted to shoot outside this restaurant in town, there’s nice benches and a lovely alleyway with outdoor seating. So I thought I’d just share what was in my mind’s eye for the shoot, so you could “see it” too…and not just my apartment again.
Are you thinking about holiday clothes yet? Do you have a perennial favorite you wear holiday after holiday…or do you like something new for special occasions?
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Sarah
Well, NOW I’m thinking of holiday clothes!! And how I need something new, definitely…. I love this dress you’re modeling today, so perfect for all the reasons you stated…perhaps I’ll closet it! What a cool location outside that restaurant, great choice, it’s lovely.
Fashion Schlub
Ha ha, yeah, I wasn’t thinking of holiday clothes, either, til I got this dress. I didn’t realize it would look so holiday-ish. It had gold outlining around the paisley pattern that didn’t show up in the pics online which made it more fancy to me. If you get it you have to send a pic!
Debbie from Illinois
That is a great dress! It is made for you. ♥️💃
Fashion Schlub
Thanks. I like the sleeves and it certainly had a nice fit. I sent it back today…I didn’t have enough need to keep it, but it was nice to borrow 🙂
Julia @ When The Girls Rule
I like the three images at the bottom of the post! I can totally see you there in front of the restaurant perhaps putting one of those flowers behind your ear. It’s a great dress! Perfect print size and fabric. I expect you’ll be wearing it long after the holidays!
Fashion Schlub
Oh, you know I SO would have tucked a flower behind my ear! Today is SOMEBODY’S birthday and I could have taken him to dinner there in my fancy dress. HIS LOSS. Sigh.
Julia @ When The Girls Rule
Ugh! He’s a dummy. Who needs to go out to dinner with a dummy? You could just stay home and consume the news. You’re better off. You know the saying when a door closes a window opens? Well, I say when a door closes a giant, excellent, much better door opens.
Fashion Schlub
xoxo (blowing kiss emoji)
Jodie
This is exactly why wearing a loose fitting dress is perfect for the holidays…..nothing tight or restraining!!
It’s perfect on you Bettye!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Fashion Schlub
Thanks, Jodie!
IrisOriginals
Love that dress on you. Actually have thought a bit about holiday clothes. I’m planning on traveling to COLD country for the Christmas holidays but haven’t been able to wrap my brain around really cold yet. BTW, love the flowers that kept cropping up in the pictures too 🙂
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Fashion Schlub
Hmm, “cold country”? All things being relative I wonder what “cold” means to someone from Alabama 🙂
Susan Marinelli
I liked the “holiday” dress Bettye, especially with the moto jacket. Sheesh! Everyone owns a moto except for me.
I’ve been too busy purchasing boots to be bothered with a moto. Anyway, for the holidays I do not get dressed up. My cousin Mary, had an extensive collection of holiday sweaters. Since she’s passed, I wear one of them in her honor. Makes me feel like she is here. She had many, and used to wear them from Thanksgiving till New Years. She tried to give me more, but I only took three.
For Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), I usually wear something in fall colors. But that’s as far as I go. Whether I am home or going out, I am always cooking something, so usually it’s something comfy, that doesn’t show flour.
I don’t consider New Year’s a holiday, I consider it amateur night for drunks. As such, I am usually home in sweatpants, soothing doggie and kitty from fireworks entertaining a few fiends or not.
Fashion Schlub
That’s nice that you have something of your cousin’s to wear to feel her close to you at the holidays.
Yeah, I can’t think of the last time I went OUT on New Year’s Eve, Even when I was younger and dating, it was usually early dinner at a favorite restaurant then home early.
I don’t know where I’ll be for Christmas this year so don’t have a wardrobe plan yet. I need to focus on Thanksgiving right now, I’ll be traveling so have to figure out the packing situation.
Ashley
What a super cute dress- and I LOVE IT with the leather jacket! Big fan of that styling trick! 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Fashion Schlub
Thanks, Ashley! Yeah, I’ve got sort of a limited repertoire of “things that go over dresses” – moto, denim, cardigan. I love a blazer in theory but they don’t really fit my body or my life at this point. Not like you in that red blazer dress, whoa!
Ann Abuse (@AnnAbuse37)
Really love this! I love bell sleeves and sometimes they become a challenge (like fringe) to make sure I don’t drag them through things. The only pain point for me is that I’m still part of Club Hotflash, so I automatically can’t wear anything made of polyester. Wish this was a rayon blend! Looks gorgeous on you, and I love that you paired it with the leather jacket.
Fashion Schlub
Yeah, I could never wear a full poly dress during the warm season (you know, March-November) but I think it could work for the winter holidays. And I’m with you about the bell sleeves. Love the way they look, but they can be a challenge. These were pretty good, not too long and droopy. Thanks for your comment, Ann!
Amy Johnson
That dress is stunning and it looks great with the moto jacket.
Fashion Schlub
Thanks, Amy!