e’re approaching the season of little black dresses and other social attire accoutrements… What to wear, what to wear? The party season is arriving and hemlines are shifting at a rapid pace. Are we to wear glittery minis, or a sparkling floor length gown? Should we glitter at all this holiday season or should we pull our basic black party gown from the closet and wear the basic uniform of fashion?

Don’t get me wrong, pulling that little black dress (LBD) out from the back of your closet around the holidays is always a sure bet. Well…maybe not. It depends on the cut, material, accessories and make-up you dress that dress up with. Arm-length gloves and satin details are two ways you can update your LBD for this year. This look is meant to be slimming in the right spots and revealing of another sort of right spot. It is meant to show off its wearer’s body but not to let it distract from the face. If you do go with the classic black be sure to paint your lips a shocking red to highlight your face against the dark garment below. This is the classic holiday look suitable for every woman.

If the thought of wearing black around Christmas seems a bit morbid to you there are other, more daring choices out there. This season’s top pick is the strapless satin mini-dress that fits tight around the top, has a high waist and bells from the waist to the thigh. The silhouette is that of a rosebud; romantic and classic. This piece can be found at Zara and Mendicino in a variety of colours and styles at reasonable prices. Because this dress is so short your legs will be the main attraction, so pair it with a pair of fantastically high heels and opaque tights to play up those stems. Hair can be worn up in a tight chignon for a ballerina feel decorated with ornate diamond jewelry. Or, the hair can be worn voluminous and wild for the party-girl, who should also think about throwing her favourite leather biker jacket over top. Whether you treat it as naughty or nice, this look is for a leggy, confidant woman.

One other hot option this season is the gender-bending trend of women in men’s clothing. The feminine tuxedo is a relatively new invention and would work wonders around town this holiday season. For starters, the look is made up of well-tailored wide-leg black dress pants, preferably with a satin hem. A sturdy black heel at over three inches will elongate the leg as well as the whole silhouette. A fitted white dress shirt comes next tucked in and unbuttoned enough to show some décolletage. Over the shirt comes the piece that makes this look work: the vest. Ideally, you want to find a satin black vest with a velvet collar that has a thin racer back. H&M is carrying just the right model as we speak. Make sure it is fitted around the wait to showcase your feminine hourglass figure. Top this look off with a wide-brimmed fedora (Club Monaco) and you’ll be the most eye-catching woman at any event you attend.

So, whether you pull out the classic LBD, the rosebud mini or the fem-tuxedo, you will no doubt look ravishing at each and every event you attend this holiday season. –J.T.