DOWN HOME TO THE 9s IN FIVE TECH SAVVY
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Season’s Chicest
FETE-OF-THE-YEAR FASHION
Look good and feel fa-lala-la-fabulous at every holiday gathering with a little help from three H-Town style experts.
BY HOLLY CRAWFORD PHOTOGRAPHY BY CODY BESS | STYLING BY AMEE LY MODEL: LINDSEY NORWOOD FOR NEAL HAMIL AGENCY HAIR AND MAKEUP BY JESSICA ALSTON FOR TRE SPA PHOTOGRAPHED AT ROYAL SONESTA HOUSTON
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our social calendar is bursting at the seams, and there’s no room for wardrobe meltdown when you’ve got to be round-the-clock ready. But there’s some really good news: “The beauty of fashion now is that there’s an easing 22
of the rules, like mixing sportswear with high-end pieces, and comfort is as important as style. That’s why we’re seeing all the boxy layering and everything is big, big, big like blanket coats and ponchos,” says fashion designer Chloe Dao. “It’s
bayou city m ag a z i n e December/January 2014-2015
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about being more comfortable in your own skin and carrying yourself well.” Here, three Houston style experts take the stress out of holiday dressing with go-to outfits that are easy, elegant and right on trend—for three different gatherings.
For the soirée of the season, accentuate the positive with a figure-skimming dress in the standout color of the holidays. “This is where you really want to show off your femininity,” says Dao. “It’s the one time you should do fitted and structured because this silhouette frames the female body and just gives you a little nip and tuck, so you stand taller and feel more beautiful.” Of course, the little black dress is a classic that will always have its place, but this year’s biggest party presents an opportunity to inject a pretty pop of color that will elevate your basic LBD. Dao and Luvi Wheelock, owner of Atrium Ready To Wear, recommend rocking this frock (or a scarf, shoe or even lipstick) in a rich wine-hued red inspired by Bordeaux or merlot. “We haven’t seen this color come onto the fashion scene for a while, but every runway and design house showed it for fall, and you can see it in all the red carpet pictures,” says Wheelock. “It’s great for any skin tone, from very fair to dark, and really looks good on everyone.” Adding the trimmings in the form of a bold accessory—think statement necklace, gemencrusted cuff bracelets or an exotic-skinned clutch—and get ready for a not-so-silent night! Chloe Dao ‘Bonner’ striped velvet oversized coat $358 (Chloe Dao); Sally LaPointe beet cut out A-line dress $1,750 (Atrium RTW); Manolo Blahnik ‘Chaos’ nude heel $725 (Nordstrom); Baird & Baird metallic champagne python clutch (not shown); Patricia Peckinpaugh gold clear drop earrings
CODY BESS
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