Ladies, there's certainly no shortage of festive celebrations to attend this time of year, and looking your absolute best when shouting those three magic words on Dec. 31 is of extreme importance. Whether you're swamped in a crowd of people at the club or chilling with friends at an intimate house party, it's time to think about what you'll be wearing when the clock strikes midnight and you get to sing out, "Happy New Year!"
To help you get started on that new year's resolution to make 2012 your most stylish year yet, we hit up some local shops to preview their holiday style offerings.
One of our go-to, locally owned places for fashionable women's wear is Lotus (1111 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 140. 704-332-2047. www.lotuslook.com). If stand-out sparkles are your thing, this is where you should shop. There's enough shimmer in there to ensure you'll be the center of attention this New Year's Eve. Move over LBD — my favorite look was a toss-up between a little hot pink and purple sequined mini dress, a royal blue sequined mini with a sexy keyhole opening at the back, and a black sequined, one-shoulder gown with a high split (Can we say, va va voom!). The keyword here is sequins.
"Girls are looking for ways to shine and stand out on the scene during the holidays," says Jackie Rodney, owner of Lotus. "Obviously, a great way to do that is sequins and sparkles, which are always appropriate for New Year's Eve parties. Bright reds and blues seem to be the color of choice." Her #1 NYE dressing tip: "Choose warm tones and colors. It's cold and dark outside and you want to look and feel bright when getting together with friends."
At KK Bloom (2823 Selwyn Ave. 980-428-6443. www.kkbloomboutique.com), jewel tones take centerstage. From cobalt blue to plum to deep burgundy, if you're looking to add a really rich, royal look to your outfit, this boutique has what you're looking for.
A number of really haute dresses stood out, especially the pictured, sparkly emerald green dress to the left. But even if you're planning something a little bit more low-key, KK Bloom has you covered. Owner Kendrick Slaughter says some women have come into the store to grab a stylish outfit to stay home in — for a house party. "They've picked up a pair of skinny's [jeans] and paired it with a sparkly top or chunky sweater." People say fashion is pain, but sometimes style really can equal comfort.
At Petal Boutique (1315 East Blvd., Suite 180. 704-817-8871. www.shoppetal.com), owner Jammie Dean confirms that anything with sequins will be a top seller this year. But if glitter isn't your thing, flowy dresses in one vibrant color will still make a statement.
"We're doing more silver and gold solid dresses this year than usual," Dean says. A great wardrobe tip she shares for the big night is to "dress in something that you feel comfortable in for New Year's Eve. There are tons of cute dresses that allow you to dance!" Certainly, many of the dresses at Petal will allow you to bust a move with ease.
If you're one of those gals who likes to keep the glitz to a minimum, you might want to consider getting a dress with small beaded detailing, rather than an all-over shimmer. We found a magenta dress (pictured to the left) at The Pink Hanger (2935 Providence Road, Suite 103. 704-366-7272. www.pinkhangeronline.com) that we fell in love with.
Another glance around the shop proved my suspicion that fur would be all the rage this holiday season as well. Assistant manager Jennifer Ugland says their "fur vests and almost all of the furry snoods have really flown right out the door."
Now, I'm sure many of you are asking, "What the heck is a snood?" Well, Ugland defines it as "an animal-friendly fur, large scarf that wraps around your neck." I must say, it just might be my new favorite accessory. Apparently, I'm not alone since there was only one left in the entire store.
Down on the south side, Melissa Thomas, owner of LA East (9852 Rea Road, Suite D-1. 704-341-5962. www.laeast.net) cosigned on the glitz and glimmer trend as well. She says her most popular, requested item has been "one-shoulder dresses and anything with sparkle."
In addition to picking a stand-out ensemble to ring in 2012, Thomas suggests that her customers remember the small details that complete a look: accessories. Her rule of thumb is to accessorize in threes.
"For example, the easiest way is with earrings, a necklace and a bracelet," she says, "but you could also substitute the necklace for a belt if it doesn't fit the neckline of your outfit. This way, the eye moves all around the body and it completes your look."
Economy-conscious shoppers, heads up: Monarch (1222 East Blvd. 980-613-8395. www.monarch-boutique.com) is where you want to seek out your NYE garb.
"In these tough economic times, many of us may think of taking a great dress or tunic and changing the look with simple accessories without breaking the bank," says Stephanie Sellers, co-owner.
Since I'm usually shopping with a budget in mind, I agree completely, and Monarch has something to fit every price point. From bangles and funky rings priced at $8-$10, vintage Donna Karan jewels for $40 and up, to a vintage Fendi clutch for $60 and a Mary Francis beaded miniature bag priced at $150. And the best thing of all is that since this is an upscale consignment boutique, there's very little risk of seeing a replica of your look at any party you choose to attend, even if you're planning on party-hopping.
If you find that you're pressed for time to actually go out and shop, here's the answer to your problems: ShopOliveOnline.com. This online store has a plethora of beautiful cocktail dresses to fit any style or body type. My NYE pick is a beautiful mix of coral and gold sequins, aptly named the "Hello New Years" dress. It's the perfect combination of vibrant color and sparkle.
"A sequin dress and tights with a solid colored heel is a great look for a celebratory occasion," Olive's owner Amy Pickard says.
Whether you're staying in this New Year's Eve or going out on the town, want to glisten like a movie star or keep it low-key, many of our local shops have what you need. Now get out there and find it. Happy New Year!
