Holiday Party Outfit – Cocktail Peplum (& t+j styling challenge!)

In my last holiday-themed post, I showed a glitzy, fun pairing for a night out on the town. Today’s outfit incorporates similar colors and some of the same accessories, but the finished look feels more glamorous and cocktail-appropriate. I started with my hair partially pinned, but with a neckline like this plus big earrings – hair swept back is the way to go.

Since the coy peplum hem adds width to my hips, I tried to balance it out with sleek, tall heels and higher hair (by way of velcro bumpit). For finishing touches, I grabbed statement earrings and chunky but classic wrist decor. I’ve received lots of questions on shopping for vintage chain bracelets and necklaces…you’d be surprised at how easy and affordable it is. I’ll do a quick e Bay tutorial tomorrow!

Tiffany of I am Style-ish kindly sent over these adjustable bracelets from her jewelry line, t+j Designs…

t+j Designs is currently hosting a statement jewelry styling challenge, where bloggers and non-bloggers alike can enter a photo to win one of two fun jewelry prize packs. Please visit Tiffany’s post here for all the rules and details. Tiffany, Khatu, Kelly and I will select one of the winners – so please show us your favorite outfit incorporating statement jewelry (and please check out those ladies’ fab personal looks)!

Top left: thrifted chain. Bottom left: t+j Designs mesh & gold bangle Right: t+j Designs braided cuff

As Tiffany mentioned in her post, some of us struggle with styling bigger jewelry and dangly earrings (especially petite women who don’t want to be overwhelmed by accessories). My rule of thumb has always been “comfort is key.” Earrings bigger than 2-3 inches not only look silly against my face, but also weigh down my earlobes. Bracelet “arm parties” have been the trend amongst bloggers, but for those of us who work on a computer – how comfortable is that stack of metal clanking against our wrists? And lastly, I’m trying to avoid neck strain by staying away from necklaces over 5 ounces, even if it means turning to cheaper, lightweight materials. After you have pieces that are comfortable to wear, it’s easy to use simple outfits (like LBDs) as canvases to showcase your statement jewelry.

Since bracelets rarely fit my wrists, I opted for these open-style cuffs from Tiffany’s line. I love the large braided cuff (only $16, plus 25% off w/ code THANKS until 11/30) which has more of a rose gold finish than shiny gold. It’s easily pliable and lightweight. I tend to forget that I have it on, even through long days of typing at a computer. If you have a rose gold watch, I can only imagine how beautiful the pair would be together.

To wrap up this post, here is a side and back view. This dress is beautiful and a great value for $30, but it has it’s complications. The shape is unforgiving, and thus cannot be worn to delicious dinner parties. The bottom is very snug, and causes unsightly flaring right below my thighs (flaring and pulling across the front are surefire signs of a garment being too tight). This dress also rides up when worn with tights, so I have to cross my fingers for unseasonably warm weather. Nevertheless, I cannot wait to wear it to an early evening cocktail party next week.