How to Pick Your Holiday Outfit

'Tis the season to be merry! Unfortunately, 'tis the season us girls seem to get too stressed out. What with the shopping frenzy (read: panic buying for gifts and Christmas party outfits)--not to mention being on a tight budget--and the sense of impending doom of weight gain, I can just imagine how you bite your nails and feel like pulling your hair (or someone else's!) as you read my intro. Don't fret. Since I'm feeling like I have to get into Santa's Nice List this year, I'll share some of the tricks I've learned for picking a holiday outfit.

Choosing the right outfit for office parties and family get-togethers gets half of your To-Do list done. As much as possible, I'd like to shop before December hits. This way, I don't end up grabbing the first thing that fits my frame AND my budget. Aside from being a cliche, however, that is not always possible. Even the most organized shoppers often miss their chance at stress-free shopping due to time and budget constraints, such as bonuses coming in late, blah, blah, blah... So, here are a few things that you can do instead:

1. Get your most recent body measurement. It always saves me trips to the fitting room. You'll be surprised how much most women's sizes fluctuate within a 2-month period.
2. Do a reality check and make a mental list of your problem areas, such as paunch and flabby arms, as well as assets, like shapely legs and sexy collarbone. This should help you decide which cuts and fabric to veer away from and--by process of elimination--which ones to go for. For instance, jiggly arms and a potbelly tells you to steer clear of tight fabric and halter tops.
3. To avoid going over your budget or maxing out your credit card--and feeling guilty afterward for being sooo superficial--pick a top or two that you can mix and match with other articles of clothing that you already own. This way, you can have different looks without worrying about running into someone who goes to the same parties that you do. 
4. Instead of buying too many dresses, choose tops that may be worn in different ways. If you've read my previous entries, you may have noticed that I'm a huge fan of multi-layer wraps and multifunction accessories. They are handy especially when I need to transform my look from daytime to night-time partying or vice versa.
   
5. If you're on a really tight budget, scrap the notion that you need a new outfit just for the holiday season. Instead, just update your accessories. Worn with the right clothes, they can give you the boost of freshness and confidence that you need.

Lastly, feel good to look good. This year, I picked a silk tunic that comes with a belt and a camisole. I must say that I gained some weight, so I don't want to bare my arms. Aside from being loose and flowy, which is an "in" look for 2009, the tunic that I bought may be worn a la kimono (just tie the belt with an obi knot) or as an empire cut top or dress (especially if your legs are really fab). You may wear it with pants, leggings, a miniskirt, or shorts. And the best thing is that come summer, I can even wear it over my bikini (sans camisole and belt) for meandering through an exotic beach on a romantic summer night.