It's really difficult not to get stressed out this time of year. There's even more pressure than usual to spend money, while your utility bills are at their highest point. Consider what we in the fashion business call "shopping your closet." In other words, try to look at what you already have with fresh eyes, and you might be surprised to find festivity-appropriate holiday looks without dropping any more dimes.
Whatever the size of your budget, we tapped some of the city's best style professionals to see what they have in mind for this year's party-worthy attire. For your inspiration and amusement!
- Masahiro Shimazaki
- Nanushka at West End Select Shop
"My annual slogan goes something like, 'The talent always dresses down.' A more user-friendly version is: 'Don't try too hard, wear what feels good and what you love—but with something you can talk about mixed in.' I'm very into mixing and matching designer pieces with 'normcore,' AKA low-priced everyday clothing. Like a gorgeous oversized full-length mohair winter coat by Isabel Marant over cheap jeans and an oversized, thinning white men's V-neck T-shirt with holes that you kept from your ex-boyfriend, gold/silver necklaces and a hand-cast statement ring by Kimberly Baker, and incredible, eye-catching boots—topped off with a one-of-a-kind funky beaded African-print vintage purse. Then I wear leather opera gloves and bright orange lipstick and no other makeup and messy just-woke-up hair. Into it!
Not everyone cares about fashion, or has the budget for it, and that's totally okay. If you're into fashion, you shouldn't care much about how others look, but be interested in it, and also interested in what you like." —Christine Taylor, photographer/art director/creative producer, happyplayground.com
