Holiday 2011 Dazzles from Jazz Age Deco to Tuxedo Style Dressing
Give 'em the ole razzle dazzle: Dolce & Gabbana, French Connection for Bloomingdale's, Prada
“If you’re blue and you don’t know where to go to
Why don’t you go where fashion sits,
Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
Those famous lyrics made Irving Berlin’s song a huge hit in 1929 and they still resonate today. Especially in our first Holiday 2011 trend, appropriately titled: Puttin’ on the Ritz.
Moschino tux
It’s a season of style and sophistication with dressed up clothing that evokes the Jazz Age, from Art Deco-inspired sequin shift dresses with slits galore. Or soignée evening suits that call to mind the movie star tuxedoed stylings of dancer extraordinaire Fred Astaire.
The Elements
Key silhouettes: Release the inner flapper with witty shift dresses that have dropped waists that shimmy and shake in gold or silver, draped gowns in satin, chiffon or jersey suitable for “Dancing in the Dark” and short fringed skirts that add sass and style.
Strappy bias cut satin gowns amp up the Hollywood glamour quotient, while strapless gowns are the perfect foil for dazzling diamonds, such as Ken Lo’s jazz hot 18K white gold and yellow sapphire drop earrings or Denoir’s graphic Grillade 18K yellow gold and diamond drops.
Ken Lo's 18K diamond and yellow sapphire earrings
Holiday’s evening suit comes straight out of the menswear style book with a nod to Yves Saint Laurent and his iconic
Le Smoking. Today’s tuxedo suit is chic, sexy and divinely suited for a modern woman. A fuller hi-waist trouser paired with a beautiful blouse provides an alternate option to this evening classic, best paired with a fabulous diamond bracelet or ring.
The dressed up cape or topper in satin, sequins or faille offers a new alternative to the evening cover up, while fur boas and caplets–both real and faux—add the right mix of pizzazz and glamour.
Fabrications:
Fabrics range from metallics that shimmer and shine–lame, sequins in gold, silver or white—to draped chiffon, jersey and satin, frequently in white, ice gray, black or red. Evening suits are turned out in velvet, faille or lightweight gabardine, can be worn bare, (the perfect place for a beautiful lariat or pendant), with a sequin or satin vest, or with a draped or wrapped top in satin, silk charmeuse.
Theory fringe little black dress for Bloomies
Oscar de la Renta for Saks
Details:
Straight out of the Jazz Age – ostrich feathers, fringe, sexy slits and decorative beading – sequins, pailettes, jet – all dancing to the beat of the season’s fascinating rhythm.
B. Brian Atwood feathered evening sandal
Alexander McQueen miniaudiere
Accessories:
The high heeled evening pump returns, (sans platform) often in sexy scooped out styles in black suede, satin or peau de soie, adding elegance and drama, perfect for dancing the night away while the sexy, strappy sandal is perfect for dancing the night away.
Evening clutches and minaudiers turned in satin, sequins and jewels, leave hands free for dancing or dining and short, elbow or opera length gloves in cotton, satin or suede.
Best Bets:
Diamonds add sparkle and shine for holiday from Ken Lo’s 18k white gold and diamond pendants to Lika Behar’s 24k gold, diamond and oxidized silver necklaces to Sweta Jain’s 18k yellow gold and rock crystal long drop earrings, all sophisticated chic options that add dazzle to the season.
Sweta Jain's 18K rock crystal drop earrings
So razzle dazzle them for holiday while
Puttin’ on the Ritz.
