How to Warmly (and Chicly) Do Cocktail Attire This Holiday Season Inline
Photo: (Clockwise from left) Courtesy of avenue32.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of selfridges.com1/16Chioma Nnadi, Vogue.com Fashion News Director
“I’ve always loved the idea of wearing something super masculine with something super feminine, and once the temperature drops, cocktail dressing lends itself to that. I remember one year, after the Met Ball, going out in a floor-length dress with a varsity jacket thrown over my shoulders, and I’m thinking of reviving that look. The proportions of a varsity actually work really well when you have something long and floaty underneath (possibly a slip! Or something bias cut), plus you’re covered from your neck down to your toes. I’ve been investing in a ton of tights lately, too—sparkly! lacy! fishnet!—and they instantly up the festive factor of a party look and keep you that little warmer, too.”
Galvan midnight silk long slip dress, $1,375, avenue32.com; Adidas Originals Varsity reversible jacket, $490, farfetch.com; Wolford Clair floral-lace tights, $42, selfridiges.com
Photo: (From left) Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of Thakoon2/16Nicole Phelps, Director, Vogue Runway
“I’m not much of a dress wearer, even when it’s warm outside. For holiday parties, I like to pair cropped, high-waisted tuxedo pants with a treasured curly lamb’s fur sweater from Thakoon. This will be my third winter wearing it, and I’m still getting compliments. If he ever makes another one, I will snap it right up.”
Saint Laurent tapered-leg tuxedo trousers, $990, matchesfashion.com; Thakoon brown striped fur sweater, price upon request, for information: thakoon.com
Photo: (All) Courtesy of net-a-porter.com3/16Jorden Bickham, Vogue.com Executive Fashion Editor
“Fur, fine jewelry, and leave the rest up to your imagination.”
Fred Leighton Collection 18-karat gold and sterling silver diamond drop earrings, $18,800, net-a-porter.com; Stella McCartney faux fur coat, $2,445, net-a-porter.com
Photo: (All) Courtesy of Barneys4/16Chloe Malle, Vogue Social Editor
“Tights! Nude stockings have a tendency to look too dowdy. I prefer sheer black stockings, but opaque black are also fine. Ideally, stockings should not be worn with open-toe sandals, but you can definitely get away with it if the sandal is also black. A satin Manolo BB pump is the ideal winter evening shoe!”
Manolo Blahnik BB pumps, $595, barneys.com; Wolford individual 10 tights, $47, barneys.com
Photo: (Clockwise from left) Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of stylebop.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of asos.com; Courtesy of harrods.com5/16Alessandra Codinha, Vogue.com Fashion News Editor
“Winter cocktail dressing is actually my favorite season for cocktail dressing because there’s something so openly festive about it: tights and heels and big, fabulous warm coats and as much sparkle as you can handle, to make up for the chilly temperatures. Heels, of course, can be tricky, with slick frozen sidewalks, but I have been really leaning into the cocktail boot and am now in love with my black heeled Timberland pair, which have the most subtle shearling lining, are so comfortable, and look a little Victoriana-meets–punk rock with the right dress.
“It’s hard to transition summer dresses into winter, as they’re often too bare and don’t look great with tights. For me, holiday party season requires the following:
1. Anything short and sparkly is heaven with thick black tights (Wolford!);
2. A black Le Smoking (I am open to this in jewel-toned velvet, too) for when it’s too cold for tights but you still want to look chic;
3. Major jewelry (earrings, necklaces, gold collars—’tis the season to pile it on);
4. A fabulous coat (who are we kidding? Several fabulous coats) because you can’t put a price on arriving in style—or making a dramatic exit. And besides, schlumpy parkas are just depressing.”
Gucci belted shearling coat, $9,500, net-a-porter.com; Kenneth Jay Lane gold-plated drop earrings, $89, stylebop.com; Lanvin striped-sequin sleeveless dress, $2,590, matchesfashion.com; Timberland Glancy black 6-inch heeled boots, $143, asos.com; Wolford cashmere silk tights, $229, harrods.com
