Suiting up for the holidays
Copley News Service

When it's time to clock out at work and turn the hands of time to a more festive hour, it's time to relinquish the corporate classics and sparkle. But how do you turn that little tweed suit that's oh-so-business-like into an evening ensemble that screams "Let's party?" Well, you've got to get the basics down first. Yes, before you toast the season with that first champagne cocktail, you've got to remember that your work wardrobe comes first. After all, the holiday bills are lurking right around the corner. So you should invest in a well-tailored suit - the best that you can afford. Choose a suit in a seasonless fabric if you can - a silk tweed, a neutral gabardine or tropical weight stretch wool or cotton/Lycra blend. Tweed seems to be the fashion pick this year and will still continue into spring.

Pick the color of your suit wisely. You may envy the lime green suit in the store window, but in fashion reality, unless you've made plenty of money in the stock market lately and can afford to wear something for five minutes, forgo the trendy color and find a more sophisticated suit in a creamy white, navy tweed, black, camel or charcoal gray.

Stick to a silhouette with clean lines and very little extra frou-frou. Don't settle for cookie-cutter basics, however; these working pieces should be updated enough to mix in with more fashion-forward pieces, but classic enough to wear often enough to make your investment worthwhile.

While pantsuits are comfortable and perfectly acceptable in most workplaces, it's a good idea to include at least one skirt suit in your closet, too. If your suits relate to each other in color, then mixing and matching - the latest fashion trend - will update your look for more "creative" occasions when you would rather not look so buttoned up.

Remember, if you've got the right foundation for work, you can always dress it up for play. One instant way to glamorize a day-into-evening look is by merely taking off that bow-tie blouse and wearing a sleek camisole or lace tank underneath your office jacket. Or substitute a filmy chiffon blouse (the poncho style is really hot this season) worn over a tank top and leave the jacket at work. A sleek halter top or a sexy bustier is another alternative when it comes to topping off menswear suit pants and skirts for after-work soirees.

A good rule of thumb: mix soft, flowing pieces for evening with your structured, tailored suit pieces. It's an instant way to give your suit versatility this holiday season.

Accessories are always a girl's best friend when it comes to pulling off a party outfit. You might not wear sparkly chandelier earrings in the courtroom, but for evening, legal eagles are transformed with a little bling. So are other corporate classics: Swap your briefcase for a colorful beaded clutch, trade pumps for metallic open-toe evening sandals, take your jacket off and wrap up in a sheer shawl dripping with sequins or a faux fur capelet tied with an elegant, shiny ribbon.

Forget the paper chase and turn off the computer. You've got an invitation to sparkle.
– Copley

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