Turkey-Day Style Tips

Carolina Herrera – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

The Thanksgiving holiday is here! This is an opportune time to remind all of us to be thankful and to share that gratitude with others and with ourselves. It would be too easy to give yourself a fashion pass this holiday! There are a multitude of stresses this year but rather than fretting about what to wear you may want to view it as a way to be thankful and grateful for your individuality and the occasion to share and express it. There really is only one you! And Thanksgiving is an annual reminder for us to appreciate this fact. Here are some Turkey-Day Style Tips:

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Akris – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Alberta Ferretti – FW08 – Style – Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse

Peter Som – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Balenciaga – PF08 – Style, top left to bottom right

Occasionally breaking some of your style habits will encourage a conscious shift in your mind to let go of habitual boring, even unflattering patterns. By going outside your comfort zone you have made getting dressed more fun! And more fun equals less stress. For instance, if you frequently wear pants, try wearing a dress on Thanksgiving or if you most often wear dresses, go for some pants; if you repeatedly wear dress slacks for the holidays, this year spruce up a pair of dark wash jeans. If you wear a lot of black, choose other colors instead for this holiday celebration. Changing the color of your lipstick or wearing evening eye makeup for the day will support this effort in change as well.

Another way to do something different is to do the opposite in your standard pre-holiday shopping routine. In previous years, if you always felt the need to buy something new for the festivities, try utilizing what you have already in your closet or if you never buy anything, perhaps this is the perfect time to treat yourself. Doing something different than you normally do in terms of showcasing your personal style instantly lifts your mood and is infectious to those around you.

CREATE SOME DRAMA

Thakoon – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Oftentimes, women will wear shiny silky blouses for the holidays. While this effort is to be commended, the reality is that most of the time shiny fabrics tend to age women. And then when lighting in the home kitchen is added to the mix, well, it just is not very flattering. Mixing or wearing fabrics with varying textures, subdued patterns and lush colors are better ways to create a more sophisticated and becoming subtle drama in an outfit.

Oscar de la Renta – FW08 – Style – Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse

Bottega Veneta – FW08 – Style – Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse

Chanel – FW08 – Style – Armando Grillo – Imaxtree

Lanvin – FW08 – Style – Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse, respectively

Accessorizing is another alternative way to create some drama for your Thanksgiving outfit. If you’re not hosting this year’s get together or if you’re going out for your Turkey Day meal then adding a gorgeous festive handbag would be fun. Clutches are ideal. Layering jewelry is another option whether it is necklaces or bracelets. A complimentary statement piece of jewelry is appropriate as well. A large bold necklace, long drop earrings or a stunning cocktail ring would be grand. And of course, belts! They are all the rage this season. This can be an easy and inexpensive accessory that is undeniably figure flattering. Find the right width for your body type and the best belt style for your outfit and your set to go. A two inch width belt that cinches in the waist works for many women’s body types.

CHOOSE AUTUMNAL COLORS

Missoni – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Nina Ricci – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Nina Ricci – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Proenza Schouler – FW08 – Style – Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse, respectively

It is often helpful to simply reference the colors in nature to get ideas on color selections, as well as, ideas on ways to mix and match colors within an outfit. For this holiday in particular, opting for darker shades of autumnal colors gives optimum results. Colors such as dark rich shades of brown, green, burgundy, plum, & navy not only compliment the color themes of the season but these colors also tend to look good next to most women’s skin, softening their features and thereby enhancing their natural beauty.

Vera Wang Lavender Label – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Reyes – FW08 – Style – Marcio Madeira

Although black is oftentimes not the best color choice for many women it is the most often worn. A way to make it work more favorably in an outfit for this holiday is to combine it with darker lush colors. For instance, mixing a black skirt with a dark forest green or dark chocolate brown top would not only be more directly flattering to the skin tone but these colors when combined with black are more sophisticated than brighter saturated colors.

Even though Thanksgiving is right on top of us and there are more pertinent matters on your plate, it would be beneficial to remember to take a little time for yourself to put together an outfit that you really feel good wearing, that is appropriate for this special occasion of being thankful and that is definitely comfortable. Oftentimes when we look our best, it often inspires us to feel our best. So this year when putting together your Thanksgiving outfit, do something a little outside your usual style – create some drama and/or choose autumnal colors. When we’re not fretting, tugging, pulling, shifting, adjusting or just plain giving up on what we’re wearing, we can really enjoy the occasion and the friends and family that we are celebrating with. It may sound small, but when we are thankful for who we are and where we have been and where we are going, we are much more likely to be grateful for those loved ones in our lives. This year give Thanks with Style!

Come back to this blog and share with us how your Thanksgiving went, especially how grateful you were for who you are and grateful to whomever you have shared the experience with this Thanksgiving!