24 Comments

This is some very good advice. I love just taking one piece of clothing as you have shown in the dressing room and mixing it with something already in the closet!

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Hi Amy! Yes it really works and gives you a festive feel without feeling overdressed. xxx

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Love your CK stories and how you’ve updated CK simplicity for today!

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Hi Lindsay, Glad you enjoyed it. I Love your Substack!

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I would also recommend - buy those sparkly pieces secondhand! They are far cheaper than new, and often only worn once! I have a collection of simple, basic-colour long gowns that I can zhuzh up with hair, accessories, shoes - I rotate them so that every 5-6 years, people have forgotten them and I can wear them again! On the plus side, I can also loan them out to friends.

Such good ideas here, Jolain! May you be festive as heck at your parties!

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Hi Sheila, Love your approach to party dressing!!! And I'll keep my eye out for second hand sparkle. Thanks and many festive returns to you!

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These are all great ideas! Thank you ❤️

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You're welcome Xue. You probably already own similar pieces to style with!

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I have to admit it got me googling down the sequin rabbit hole but thankfully I woke up before I hit check out 🙈😂

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That's the spirit!!!

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Loved this! Thank you, Jolain.

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You're welcome, so happy you liked it! Thanks for reading!!

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I guess if you are someone who spends a huge amount of time at gala events then you'll need a wardrobe of posh frocks to keep you going. I always enjoyed the story of Joanne Woodward attending the 1958 Oscars having been nominated for The Three Faces of Eve. She made her own gown using a paper pattern and a home sewing machine. How neat is that. She did of course have the perfect accessory being married to Paul Newman!

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Ahhh, great story!!! You gotta love her! Yes you can't beat her best accessory in Paul, what handsome devil and they both are reported to be totally grounded and lovely people. I've got to dig into that, thanks so much for sharing!

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Dressing as a celebrity, dressing as myself is more difficult to do, at least that's my experience 🤓📚🔖💯

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First and foremost you have to dress for yourself and have fun with it!

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Very true, necessity doesn't always makes happy, of course socioeconomic influences shape style too, most live with compromised solutions which might show certain style but no perfect style as many wanted it to be, but yes, happiness starts with fulfilment and expressions of personal style, no celebrities needed in this case because that would mean something else entirely. Thank you so much, wonderful and food for thought topic 🤓📚🔖💯

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You're welcome and thanks for your thoughtful comments!

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My pleasure, thank you too and beautiful days ahead 🤓📚🔖💯

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I loved reading this. Do you think it still works if you substitute black for midnight/navy or some other neutral? I look like I should be six foot under in black 🫢

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Hi Moira, Absolutely it works with other neutrals. Navy/ Midnight is always a good stand in for black but other neutrals work as well like grey, beige and ivory. Yeah, I hear you, black can be harsh but I can't live without it, I just use a little more makeup ;)

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That’s for the confirmation and good plan to go in with the makeup!!

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I love midnight blue it has more warmth than black I think. Reminds me of Tony Bennett singing Blue Velvet.

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Midnight works and love Tony, he definitely figures heavy into my Holiday playlist.

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