Christmastime means a lot of things: stress over budgeting/finding the perfect gift, avoiding/stocking up on awesome Christmas music and holiday parties. I am regretfully unable to attend my work Christmas party this year (I’m having my wisdom teeth out), but I’m flying out to stay with my boyfriend’s parents in North Carolina post-wisdom tooth trauma and they are quite the holiday partiers. As if I wasn’t stressed enough about money and this dentist appointment (I’m convinced I’m going to pee my pants while sedated), I was kind of freaking out about what I was going to wear, until now! I’ve found some cute (and afforadable!) holiday party outfit ideas!
The dress! (Starting from the top left to bottom right)
1. The perfect casual holiday party dress. I’d pair it with red lips, a top bun (gotta show off that collar), and some black opaque tights. It would also be perfect with a layered look for a coffee date with friends. (Coach Tour Dress in Winter, ModCloth, $47.99)
2. I love this unique dress! It’s casual-looking enough for a family get-together, and also polished enough to show off at a Christmas party for work. (Jacquard Floral Cutout Dress, Forever 21, $24.80)
3. I’m in love with this sweet collar. I could see it with a messy updo (a MUST to show off that gorgeous collar), black eyeliner and flushed cheeks or a red lip. And definitely a red or gold shoe. (Ellen Dress by Darling UK, Ruche, $124.99)
4. I actually just bought this dress for one of my holiday parties and I can’t wait to wear it! I’m going to wear it with wavy hair, black opaque tights and a red shoe. (Fly Me to the Moonrock Dress, ModCloth, $49.99)
5. Every lady needs a red dress. Black tights, a gold shoe and waves for days. Love it. (Apple Pie Perfection Dress, ModCloth, $57.99)
6. I’m in love with this colorful dress. I’d buy it for holiday parties and even consider wearing it for a New Years Eve party as well. (Color Me Rad Dress, ModCloth, $109.99)
The shoes!
1. These red wedges are cute enough for a holiday party look, and comfy enough for a hot cocoa date. (From the Taupe Heel in Cherry, ModCloth, $49.99)
2. Don’t want to buy a fancy dress just for one holiday party? Pair these glittered oxfords with a basic colored dress and some opaque black tights. They don’t call ‘em party shoes for nothing. (Glittered Lace-Up Oxfords, Forever 21, $24.80)
3. Pair these comfy gold flats with a black dress! These can be paired with almost any other outfit to add a little holiday shine. (Grosgrain Bow Ballet Flats, Forever 21, $14.80)
4. These red pumps scream holiday party, don’t you think? (Over the Moon Heels in Red, Ruche, $39.99)
The accessories!
1. Tights! I love polka dot tights right now, it looks so cute when paired with a basic dress. (Oddly enough, I find the cheapest polka-dot tights at Wal-Mart! Look at Target and Forever 21 too.)
2. Cute hair accessories. One of the best things about the holiday season is the attention to every sparkly detail. (Stella bobbies, Anthropologie, $22)
3. Backcomb your hair to give it some extra volume!
4. Red lips: a holiday staple.
Be sure and check out the gallery for more of my favorite festive picks!
Are you attending any holiday parties this year, Lovelies? What do you plan on wearing?
guest
cute. =3
guest
I can help you with one thing: you won’t pee your pants while you’re sedated. You don’t pee in your sleep, do you? Just go to the bathroom beforehand. NBD.
orchid / 105 posts
@WaitingToShrug@xanga - oh god, i hope not. i’ve actually come close to peeing my pants while i was drinking before. i’m just hoping that it’s not going to be that bad, since my boyfriend will be taking care of me. :-/
guest
@misswheeler - Nah, it will be fine. It doesn’t take that long anyway. I had all four of mine extracted at the same time, and I was out for less than an hour.
guest
apparently I am much more poor than that average person because I do not think a 100 dollar dress is affordable.
rose / 853 posts
@voodoo_flower_child@xanga - I’m with you there. I just think upper middle class girls keep writing these posts or something. I would only consider one of these dresses “affordable.”
guest
@MiaJoyTheWriter@xanga - yep same here. i could probably make the dress from forever 21 happen, but I would not be getting gas for my car this week then, and no accessories or shoes haha
guest
I had my wisdom teeth taken out back in early January ’09. I had all four teeth extracted, but I was sedated during the process. It wasn’t too terrible, and the procedure felt like it was five minutes long. I was out like a light, but I am terrified of needles. I’m glad I had them taken out after Christmas (all the holiday food!), and during my winter break from school.
I do like the dress with the peter pan collar, but in my opinion $100+ is a lot of money for a dress. I could afford the Forever 21 dress. I did manage to snag a merlot dress that was on sale at Kohl’s. I have a wedding to attend this weekend.
guest
Very cute! I think it’s soooo funny you’re afraid of peeing while under sedation.. I haven’t ever been pregnant & don’t plan to anytime soon but one of my worst fears is going to the bathroom right there while in labor! lmao.. here’s to strange fears & happy holidays!! ;]
orchid / 105 posts
@MiaJoyTheWriter@xanga - @voodoo_flower_child@xanga - two of the six dresses included in the layout are over $100. you shouldn’t assume that someone is upper-middle class because of a dress that they think is cute. i struggle to pay my bills every month. and if i wanted to buy those two dresses that i included in the post, i would probably have to save up for at least two months.
i used to only buy clothes within my monthly budget until i realized that i only got maybe a few wears out of them before they fell apart. since then, i’ve learned to save my money to invest in quality versatile pieces that i can wear year after year. it ends up saving more money than just buying a ton of cheap poorly-made clothes that i will just have to spend more money to replace in a month anyway
if that makes me upper-middle class, i’ll be sure and share that joke with the ramen in my pantry later.
guest
Cute picks. I love all the stores/sites listed..but most aren’t very affordable on my budget (except for the Forever 21 stuff). And I’ve been trying to find the perfect shade of red lipstick. So many shades out there that it’s hard to know which would go with your complexion right. Still on the mission though.
guest
@misswheeler - I have the world’s weakest bladder (like literally) and I didn’t pee my pants while I had my wisdom teeth out. I was worried about that too. You’ll be fine. Just stop drinking water before bed (assuming your appointment is first thing in the morning) and pee before you go.
But anyways, cute dresses
I got a cute one for Christmas Eve on sale at JCPenny for $40
guest
@misswheeler - I agree with you on saving for quality, more expensive pieces (although I wonder, because I do not buy expensive, “quality” pieces, nor do I take care of my clothes, and they last….), but you said affordable. Affordable, to me, means you don’t have to “save up for at least two months”. That being said, I understand where your post is coming from, but I wanted to let you know that I don’t think some of the pieces you picked out are considered affordable.
Also, getting wisdom teeth taken out isn’t so bad
I didn’t experience too much pain, it was more discomfort. Yes, I was on pain relievers, though (but they seem to be prescribing vicodin a lot lately. I would not be taking that every 4-6 hours :/).
guest
the dresses dont really stand out to me or scream HOLIDAY. but i agree .. the prices are a bit up there, you could find nicer stuff at other stores or even on clearance. \
but i am digging the glittery shoes