Get the Look: 75 Holiday Party Dresses

Many of you are probably still in the crush of the holiday rush. But since I celebrate Hanukkah, my present giving season is complete. My husband and I celebrate our anniversary on Christmas Eve -a spur of the moment elopement – so there’s opportunity for one more give and get, but the real buying, and by that I mean the buying for the kids, is complete.

That means it’s time to move on to planning the perfect New Year’s Eve outfit. Or you might have some holiday parties to attend. I’ll likely cozy up at home. But if I were planning a rocking New Year’s Eve, I’d start trying on dresses right now. There’s nothing worse than buying a party ensemble under pressure. After all this research I may just make a buy so I have a pretty party dress on hand.

I may have gone overboard—there are 75 party dress picks here from StyleCarrot partners and other sources. Lots of lace happening this season. There’s a turquoise lace dress by DVF; a cobalt lace dress from J.Crew, and a one-shouldered navy lace number fromReiss. (Princess Kate should totally dare to wear that.) Of course there are plenty of metallics. Metallic gold and gunmetal dresses, as well as jacquard (big trend right now, especially at Tory Burch), and a sprinkling of sequins. Plus capes. Channel Gwyneth and try a dress with a cape. The white one from Pixie Market is darling. 01

What would I wear? If I were a tiny bit younger and going dancing, I think #3 is really cute, though I’d probably opt for #33, the pleated midi by Rebecca Taylor or #47, the gold wrap dress. The stripey sequin Marc dress, #16 is adorable, especially paired with those studded clogs. The green knotted Lanvin silk shift (#25) is more my style these days, if I could afford it, along with #38, the modern minimalist black gabardine from Ssense. (Everything from Ssense is fierce. For a more festive feel but still considering comfort, I like #49, a black embellished chiffon shift by Velvet.

I like to order a whole bunch and then decide.

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

1 White Cape Dress, $98 at Pixie Market.  

2 DVF Sky Blue Lace Dress, $501 at MyTheresa

3 Sequin Cage Dress, $150 at Bloomingdale’s

4 Aster Flower Dress, $495 at Rebecca Taylor

5 Silence + Noise Lattice Back Dress, $69 at Urban Outfitters

6 Keepsake Lace Bodycon Dress, $170 at Urban Outfitters

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

7 Embellished Mini Dress, $898 at Alice + Olivia

8 Double V-Neck Fit & Flare Chambray Dress, $79.95 at Gap.  

9 Jacquard Sleeveless Dress $595 at Tory Burch.  

10 d.RA Blue Hi Lo Dress, $149 at Urban Outfitters

11 Hot Pink Flutter-Sleeve Dress, $128 at Banana Republic

12 Floral Print Silk Dress, $198.50 at Club Monaco

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

13 Gold One Shoulder Dress, $300 at Whistles.

14 Lovers + Friends Magenta Cape Dress, $178 at Revolve

15 Bailey 44 Gunmetal Cut-Out Dress, $202 at Revolve

16 Marc by Marc Jacobs Striped Lamé Shift, $498 at Saks.  

17 DKNY Allover Sequin Dress $495 at Shopbop

18 Blush Sequin Dress, $198 at J.Crew.

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

19 Red Scalloped Shift Dress, $48.99 at Ruche

20 Lanvin Silk Dress With Tassel Tie, $1,690 at MyTheresa

21 Maison Scotch Tulle Skirt Dress, $329 at Revolve

22 Silver Metallic Sleeveless Dress, $169.99 at ModCloth

23 DVF L Printed Silk Dress, $468 at Saks.

24 Green Floral Drop-Waist Dress, $138 at Banana Republic.

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

25 Lanvin Gathered-Front Shift Dress, $1,690 at Barneys

26 Gray Organza Dress, $470 at Whistles

27 Electric Blue Lace Dress, $178 at J.Crew

28 Gray Lace Shift Dress, $148 at Madewell

29 Metallic Brocade Dress, $398 at J.Crew

30 MLV Forest Green Embellished Dress, $350 at Cusp

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

31 Halston Heritage Blue Cutout Dress, $267 at Bloomingdale’s

32 Karen Keen Ombre Sequin Dress, $158 at Bloomingdale’s

33 Lurex Pleated Cami Dress, $479  at Rebecca Taylor

34 A.L.C. Montana Dress, $495 at Saks

35 Merlot Velvet Dress, $89.99 at ModCloth

36 Alexis Starlight Print High-Low Dress , $798 at Cusp.  

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

37 Asymmetric Lace Dress, $360 at Reiss

38 Enfold Black Wool Gabardine Dress, $865 at Ssense

39 Topshop Unique Crushed Velvet Dress, $435 at Net-a-Porter

40 Self Portrait Maroon Dress, $560 at Shopbop

41 Velvet Studio Dress, $99.90 at Zara.

42 Embellished Blush Shift Dress, $369 at Ted Baker

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

43 Ronny Kobo Camo Dress, $336 at Pink Mascara

44 Black & Gold Fitted dSequin Dress, $595 at L.K.Bennett

45 Alice + Olivia Sleeveless Floral Jacquard Dress, $398 at Saks

46 Isabel Marant Chiffon Keyhole Dress, $710 at Net-a-Porter

47 Bec & Bridge Gold Wrap Dress $320 at Urban Outfitters

48 Michael Michael Kors Sequined Tank Dress, $325 at Saks

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

49 Velvet Embellished Chiffon Dress, $472 at MyTheresa.  

50 Maje Stripe Fit & Flare Dress, $376 at Bloomingdale’s

51 Geometric Jacquard Dress, $375 at Milly

52 Rag & Bone Silk Shift Dress, $425 at Nordstrom

53 Cheap Monday Illusion Dress, $90 at Need Supply Co. 

54 Bec & Bridge Silver Metallic Dress, $180 at Shopbop

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

55 French Connection Black & Blue Lace Dress, $248 at Cusp

56 Black Fringe Dress, $389 at Club Monaco

57 Adeline Rae Fit & Flare Dress, $94 at Nordstrom.  

58 Metallic Dot Dress, $188 at J.Crew

59 Keepsake Black Mini Dress, $199 at Pixie Market

60 Black Graphic Floral Dress, $198.50 at Club Monaco

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

61 Floral Print Silk Crepe Dress, $895 at Burberry

62 Elizabeth & James  Red Dress, $365 at Intermix

63 Rachel Zoe Fringe Cocktail Dress, $495 at Neiman Marcus

64 Lela Rose Half-Sleeve Fit-&-Flare Dress, $1,095 at Neiman Marcus.

65 White Sequined Fringe Dress, $34.90 at Forever 21.

66 Pink Dot Pleated Dress, $378 at Kate Spade

67 Sleeveless Sequin Stripe Dress, $598 at Kate Spade

Holiday Party Dresses New Year's Eve Dresses 2015

68 Elizabeth & James Sequin Dress, $465 at Intermix

69 Open Back Fit & Flare Dress, $548 at Kate Spade.  

70 Turquoise Satin Dress, $100 at Topshop

71 Maje Midnight Sequined Crepe Dress, $229.50 at The Outnet

72 Silver Lamé Slip Dress by Boutique. $240 at Topshop

73 Marchesa Notte Strapless Lace Dress, $402.75 at The Outnet.  

74 Red Pleated Strapless Dress, $159.99 at Ann Taylor

75 Black Dolman Sleeve Dress, $775 at 3.1 Phillip Lim.

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Get the Look: 30 Cute Cosmetic Cases

Last week I pulled together a collection of cute cosmetic cases, “Kiss & Make Up” in the Boston Globe. I generally like to do a travel-related roundup in the summer, and I had already done weekend bags last year.

Mostly, though, I was inspired by a particularly cute cosmetic case by Deux Luxe, that the publicist had sent me back in the winter—the Anguilla cosmetic case in jade green emblazoned with exotic birds. I love the look. Unfortunately it didn’t make it into the Globe, but I’ve included it here (#17), along with 29 other cute cosmetic case finds.

Bostonians, pay attention to #1, #9, and #18 by ultra preppy, Brookline-based design label Ame & Lulu. I’m kind of attached to #2 from Catseye London. Adorable, though maybe channels too much of a crazy cat lady vibe? There’s a doggie one as well (#21). And if you’re more of a boho girl, Target has a couple of great Coachella-worthy makeup bags (#5 and #8).

Browse through for a new one; you know yours is smeared with gunk. Me? I still use the iconic brown & white striped cosmetic bags and toiletry case from Henri Bendel, a long-ago gift from an ex boyfriend’s mom. And yeah, it’s a bit worn.

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Shop cute cosmetic cases from StyleCarrot partners and other favorite brands.

S H O P P I N G

1 Mercer Floppy Cosmetic Bag, $38 at Ame & Lulu.

2 Catseye London “Kitten” Cosmetics Case, $25 at Nordstrom.

3 Trina These Are the Days Clutch, $24 at Ulta.

4 LeSportsac Striped Cosmetic Case, $42 at Macy’s.

5 Geometric Print Toiletry Bag, $9.95 at Target.

6 Renny Drive Annabella Cosmetic Case, $68 at Kate Spade.

7 Rebecca Minkoff Floral Izzie, $85 at Bloomingdale’s.

8 Striped Coral Toiletry Bag $9.99 at Target.

9 Cosmetic Bag with Mesh, $56 at Ame & Lulu.

10 Adidas by Stella McCartney Transparent Case at Farfetch.

11 Catseye London Lips Cosmetic Case, $44.56 on eBay.

12 Trina Soak of the Rays Clutch, $24 at Ulta.

13 Rip Curl Aloha Spirit Clutch, $29.50 at Nordstrom.

14 Ted Baker Floral Cosmetic Case, $50 at Bloomingdale’s.

15 Lee Coren Ciclo Flat Clutch, $54 at Pod.

16 Steph & Co. Tahiti Viveca, $22.50 at Nordstrom.

17 Deux Lux Anguilla Cosmetic Case, $38  at Nordstrom.

18 Ranger Floppy Cosmetic Bag, $38 at Ame & Lulu.

19 Tropicana Cosmetic Case, $9.99 at Nine West.

20 Let’s Makeup Lil Zip Bag by Dogeared, $24 at Zappos.  

21 Jack Russel by Catseye London Cosmetic Case, $15 at Nordstrom.  

22 Hudson+Bleecker Marrakech Avion Cosmetic Case, $66 at Bluefly.

23 Fendi Roma print make-up bag, $250 at Farfetch.

 24 Rockstar Cosmetic Case, $28 at Saks

25 Izzie Snake Cosmetic Case, $85 at Rebecca Minkoff

26 Chanel Preowned Cosmetic Case, $399 at Luxe Designer Handbag.

27 Marc Jacobs Smiley Face Cosmetic Case, $98 at Shopbop.

28 LeSportsac Tuileries Cosmetic Case, $31.50 at 6pm

29 Charlotte Tilbury Canvas Cosmetics Case, $20 at Net-a-Porter. 

30 Vera Bradley Luggage Lighten Up Travel Cosmetic Case, $34 at Zappos.

Get the Look: Party Dresses From All the Best Designers

Selecting the holiday party dresses here was more fun than going shopping for the real thing. The list of designers reads like a Vogue editor’s Fashion Week to-do list. There are 42 different designers represented here, each dress more fun than the next. Probably you won’t be able to actually buy many of these, thanks to the sky high prices, but still, they are divine.

If I were going to a holiday party, and I could wear any of them (and this is in dreamland, where I have the perfect body to match my bottomless wallet), I think I’d opt for the Rachel Roy or Marc Jacobs, though I do also love the drape-y metallic Vivienne Westwood and the darling Nina Ricci. I also love the idea of the Isabel Marant with black booties, topped with a leather moto jacket. I suppose it depends on the occasion. They’re all pretty fabulous. Which holiday party dress would you wear to a fancy fete?

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S H O P P I N G

1 Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Crinkled Taffeta Dress

2 Rag & Bone Corina Fringe Dress

3 Thakoon Dandelion Print Wool Blend Satin Dress

4 Mary Katrantzou Elay Printed Jersey Dress

5 Lanvin Ruffled Satin Twill Dress

6 Dolce & Gabbana Floral Print Crepe Dress

7 Monique Lhuillier Tulle Embroidered Dress

8 Donna Karan Sequined Stretch Jersey Dress

9 Emilio Pucci Fitted Lace Dress

10 Erdem Silk Blend Jacquard Dress

11 Hervé Leger Bandage Dress

12 Lela Rose Jagged Paint Splatter Dress

13 Alexander McQueen Floral Print S-Bend Dress

14 Isabel Marant Strapless Sweetheart Dress

16 Diane von Furstenberg Long Sleeve Lace Dress

17 Carven Contrast Back Lace Dress

18 Alexis Madame Strapless High-Lo Dress

19 J. Mendel Pleated Dress

20 Alexander Wang Leather Bib Dress

21 Zero + Maria Cornejo Little O Dress

22 L’Wren Scott Pebbled Jacquard Dress

23 Tracy Reese Flared Frock

24 Tory Burch Kirby Dress

25 Narciso Rodriguez Point Hem Silk Dress

26 Marc Jacobs Sequined Dress

27 Anthony Vaccarello Black Dress

28 Alice & Olivia Aubree Embellished Lace Dress

29 Nina Ricci Tulle & Silk Knotted Dress

30 Milly Bustier Feather Dress

31 Zuhair Murad Floral Sequin Dress

32 Stella McCartney Silk Faille Dress

33 Jenni Kayne Lace Seam Dress

34 Rochas Two-Tone V-Back Dress

35 Naem Khan Beaded Fringe Dress

36 Marc Jacobs Velveteen & Silk Crossback Dress

37 Armani Collezioni Floral Silk Drape Dress

38 Jason Wu Duchesse Satin A-Line Dress

39 Proenza Schouler Pleated Dress in Geometric Cave

40 Christopher Kane Mesh Shawl Top Silk Dress

41 Roksanda Ilincic Patchwork Dupioni Kilton Dress

42 Matthew Williamson Winter Garden Organza Layered Dress

43 Joseph Agnes Lace Dress

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SHOP Saks Fifth Avenue for holiday gifts with free shipping >

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Summer Style: Shopping the Memorial Day Sales

It’s supposed to rain all weekend in Boston and on the Cape. Bummer. We had planned to head to Truro for the first time since last fall. We still may go; there’s dead bug vacuuming to be done. However, like on all holiday weekends, there are sales galore. I may just be able to get some summer shopping accomplished online. I pulled together four sets of clothing and accessories I found. Everything shown is on sale. Not sure what to buy first. Oh, well actually I already picked up the stripey tote from Gap this week. What have you guys been buying for summer?

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SHOP 1 Sleeveless Hazy Dot Shirt at Madewell ||| 2 Karen Walker Super Duper Strength Sunglasses at Les Nouvelles ||| Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Oxford Shirt Dress at Les Nouvelles ||| 4 Jessica Biales Block Signet Ring at J.Crew ||| 5 Surf Stripe Board Shorts at J.Crew ||| 6 Coach Henley Espadrille Wedge at Coach ||| 7 3.1 Philip Lim 31 Second Snakeskin Pouch at Shopbop ||| 8 Printed Multi-Stripe Canvas Tote at Gap

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SHOP 1 Rag & Bone Graphic Tank at Rag & Bone ||| 2 Rag & Bone Easy Stretch Silk Pant at Rag & Bone ||| 3 Armani Collezioni Short Dress at Yoox ||| 4 Joie Jordyn B Blazer in Caviar at Joie ||| 5 Fort Standard Cage Necklace 8 at Need Supply Co. ||| 6 Lucy Folk Watermelon Pip Stud Earrings at Steven Alan ||| 7 Marcy by Marc Jacobs Marc’D & Check’D Small Satchel, Shopbop ||| 8 Joie Grenada Sandals at Joie

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SHOP 1 Stripe Rash Guard at J.Crew ||| 2 Monique Péan Mwanza Warthog Tusk Shell Earrings with Diamonds at Barneys New York ||| 3 White Linen V-Neck Tee at Madewell ||| 4 Steven Alan Elliot Pant at Steven Alan ||| 5 Timex Round Mesh Strap Watch at Nordstrom ||| 6 Bag’n’Noun Nylon Muffin Bag #210 at Steven Alan ||| 7 Strawberry Lip Glaze at Stila ||| 8 Tory Burch Catalina Espadrille at Tory Burch

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SHOP  1 Whale Of A Tale Intarsia Sweater at C.Wonder ||| 2 Rag & Bone/Jean Mint Mid-Rise Legging at Intermix ||| 3 Shimmer Scarf at Gap ||| 4 Arrowstack Necklace at Madewell ||| 5 Anya Hindmarch Studded Heart Pouch at Shopbop ||| 6 Rag & Bone Dana Dress at Rag & Bone ||| 7 Vince Lara High Sandal at Nordstrom ||| 8 Chevron Cosmetic Bag at Furbish Studio 

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Sale Alert!
NORDSTOM’S half-yearly sale is going on now!