The Look:

Ralph Lauren gold leather blazer (older; alternatives here and on sale here)

Helmut Lang top (here)

Helmut Lang leather pants (here – my absolute favorite leather pants!)

Christian Louboutin heels (previous season; similar here)

FEED x Judith Leiber clutch (here)

Anita Ko earrings (here)

Dannijo statement necklace (older; shop Dannijo jewelry here)

JCrew bracelet (old; similar on sale here!)

Christian Louboutin nail polish (here – the perfect red!)

The Tuxedo Treatment:

If your December calendar is anything like mine, it is loaded with festive party after festive party. While I love a great cocktail dress as much as anyone, sometimes I just need a change. Plus, sometimes during this season, it is simply too cold for a dress. That’s when I try the tuxedo treatment! Taking inspiration from the guys, I go the blazer + pants route.

Here, I paired a classic Ralph Lauren gold metallic leather blazer with a simple black cotton top, plus my much-beloved Helmut Lang leather leggings. But this look is anything but manly, because of the accessories. By varying the textures and adding some bling, this look quickly turns feminine and glamorous. To up the bling factor, I added a statement necklace from Dannijo and threw on a sparkly bracelet I’ve had forever from JCrew. Finally, I layered on the shoes and bag. Both of these accessories have a beaded texture, simultaneously adding a new texture to the ensemble while being similar enough to each other to tie it all together. And yes, the shoes also add some animal print to the mix – never a bad thing!

Side note: If you’ve not browsed the selection from FEED Projects lately, I suggest you do. Founder Lauren Bush Lauren has worked hard to expand the offerings – including the lovely clutch I’m carrying here. Each purchase makes an impact, providing a certain number (annotated on the product) of meals for school children in need around the world. Great products for a great cause! To date, she and her team have provided over 85 million meals to children. Truly remarkable!

What are you wearing to parties this holiday season? Would you consider trying the tuxedo trend? Give it a try. This blazer + pants combination can be just as alluring as any cocktail dress!

 

Photos by Ashley Beatrice