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Season’s Chicest

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

Your 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 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 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.

FETE-OF-THE-YEAR FASHION 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!

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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

THE FUNKY BRUNCH When it comes to downtime with the girls, wear clothes that are as comfortable and forgiving—and fashionable—as your friends. So what does that look like in a Houston winter? Claridge + King co-owner and designer Laurann Claridge says it starts with pieces “that aren’t too fussy, but feel really good on your skin.” She and Wheelock recommend dressing around a simple silk blouse in a neutral like ivory or pewter for its versatility. “You can dress it up or down,” says Claridge. “It will look just as good with ripped jeans as silk trousers, and ivory is flattering on skin because there’s a warmth to it that white-white doesn’t have.”

Wheelock has a similar formula to complete the look: “Pair it with deconstructed jeans and top it with a navy blazer, lots of layered necklaces and pointy heels or suede Lanvin wedge boots.” Not a holey-jeans queen? Instead, embrace the dressy track pant in a luxury fabric like crepe or silk. “Think of these as the other pair of jeans you need in your closet because you can wear them everywhere and still look stylish and be comfortable,” advises Dao. “Sportswear is such an influence now, and track pants are good for every size because they have an elastic waistband,” she says. “And they are really sexy if you dress them up with high heels.” Talk about a win-win.

Claridge + King The Great White Shirt No. 6 in Blanc de Blanc two-ply silk with gold brushed buttons $275; AII black racer-back blazer $88 (Chloe Dao); HYPR black dressy zip trim sweatpants $58 (Chloe Dao); Zenzii black tassel charm necklace $36 (Chloe Dao); Patricia Peckinpaugh gold layer drops necklace; VIVO buffalo horn wrap crystal cuff; Katie Design starburst ring in 18k gold $70; Balenciaga black patent cable shopper tote $2,055 (Nordstrom); Stella McCartney elastic band faux python pump $575 (Nordstrom) (not pictured) HOUSE-PARTY PRETTY You set the tone when you have guests in your home, from what music you play and the food you serve to the clothes you wear. Obviously, it’s a special occasion, but you don’t want any detail to come across as too buttoned-up or stuffy. “You want people to feel welcome and relaxed,” says Dao. To strike the balance, take a fashion cue from 1950s icons like Doris Day, Sandra Dee and Donna Reed with a shirt-and-skirt combo. “It’s dressy, but not too dressy, and it works for every age,” says Dao. “I’m really into two-piece dressing.”

That means buddying up a beloved blouse (and anything goes, from the au courant crop top to your most reliable cashmere sweater) with a skirt and high heels. The skirt length of the season is midi, which hits a bit above or right at the knee—in any silhouette. “It’s a huge trend that’s also timeless and looks so elegant,” says Wheelock. But Dao says that a maxi length also encapsulates both ease and elegance. Plus, you don’t have to worry about how you’re sitting when you plop down on the sofa!

As for the crop top, it’s not as scary as it sounds. “It’s not about exposing the abdomen,” promises Wheelock. “As long as you have a high-waisted skirt, you can show a sliver of skin, just a little peek, when you lift your arms.” Bonus: A higher waistline makes legs look longer, and who doesn’t love that? Punctuate the perfect entertaining ensemble with a pair of pumps in festive gold or silver, or high-heeled suede booties and a chunky cocktail ring or two—all of which are very timely.

Jason Wu textured black halter top $990 (Atrium RTW); Prabal Gurung printed asymmetrical skirt $995 (Atrium RTW); Sarah Jessica Parker ‘Alison’ burgundy lace up bootie $485 (Nordstrom) (not pictured); Katie Design crosses band ring $228, rosary ring $150, and ‘Katie’ band ring $185, all in 18k rose gold vermeil; Vivo buffalo horn thick bangle