Holiday dressing and the perfect Swatch to match

Tis the season to pull out all the stops. For every merry look, there’s a perfect Swatch to match. Get ready to shine and celebrate.

Travel to international hot spots through your Swatch. This season, Swatch takes inspiration from all things beautiful around the world to create out-of-this-world timepieces. Make a statement this season with a Swatch to match your personal style.

The Swatch Après-Ski winter-themed line is the perfect embellishment to the season’s merrymaking. Glitz wintertime glamour Swatch Lady Tinkle Winkle and Boule D’Or will definitely set you in a holiday cheer. Stack the Swatch Square Snow Bar and Chalkboard Love to create an original arm swag. These are for the funky and fresh set that knows how to have a good time. Take your pick form the rest for the line — Swatch Lady Sangallo, Pink Prohibition, Blues Prohibition, Night Prohibition, Swatch Gent Eisblume, Swatch New Gent Stellassa, Adelboden, and Pull-Over, Swatch Irony Medium Last Run, Swatch Irony New Chrono Golden Fever, Swatch Irony Chrono Masterglass and Irony The Chrono Alpine Vintage, Swatch Skin Schneehasi and Honeycomb, Swatch Irony Lady Givre and Swatch Irony Big Classic After-Dinner for that holiday style embellishment.

Here’s your cheat sheet on what to wear for the season’s many holiday fetes. From cocktails to a formal dinner, vacation to stay-cation, big night out to a sophisticated soirée here’s all you will need to pin down all the dress codes this party season. Take a look at these style inspirations for any occasion from now until the New Year. Make the merrymaking look easy and take reference from the latest fashion collections.

Her style

Make a splash at any holiday party this year with a sexy and sophisticated black dress. When in doubt, let black magic do the trick. You can never go wrong with a forever-classic little black dress. Take your pick from the many stunning black dresses fit for every taste — from glitzy and body-hugging to long and flowing. Black is your best friend this party season when you may be indulging a bit more than usual.

Snow white and skin on skin are the new basic hues. Go for nude tones. It’s a white Christmas.

Don’t be afraid of mixed prints. Mix tribal prints from indigenous cultures and costumes of more northerly climes. Wear leopard print dipped in fluro paint, acid-bleached, yellow, red or turquoise blue. Folk patchworks of silk and velvet with a mash-up of bohemian prints in seventies influenced silhouettes serve up just the right tone for a holiday vibe. Print play is whimsical and festive.

Sparkle is always appropriate this season. High-shine, wet-look finish that plays with the light is current and Christmassy. Take your pick from tulle scattered with sequins and silver thread looks to Paco Rabbane’s jersey and metallic update of the classic 1960s aluminum, celluloid and rhodoid mini-dresses and styles embellished with star-shine rivets. Light up the dance floor with any of these sequin-covered looks. Dazzle with a pleated metallic skirt.  The shiny and festive look can go beyond holiday parties. Pair them with a cozy sweater, a turtleneck, tailored blazer or a fitted top. Shine in slick vinyl and patent leather. “Something more liberated, darker, more sexual,” was how Raf Simons describe Dior Fall/Winter 2015-2016 with its vinyl trenches.

For a stronger and more structured look, consider a suit. Pants are just as sexy if not sexier than a dress. Choose from borrowed-from-the-boys styles with a feminine twist. Layer an oversized tuxedo vest or military inspired jacket with a feminine top. Then pair with a clutch and throw on pair of black jeans for a rock n’ roll chic. Rock the party in punk rock. Designers looked to the punk-rock scene for the season with full-on leather, slashed pants, mini skirts over ripped tights and chain and stud detailing. Think dark and rebellious Joan Jetts.

Fringe — head-to-toe or separates are a fitting festive frock. 

Standout in graphic black and white from checks to stripes, diamonds, zebra print, and Rorschach style motifs.

Wear a splash of color without looking like a Christmas tree. Marshmallow colors from baby blue, to candy floss pink, chick yellow and almond green and acid colored bonbons make a fresh change to the usual merry colors.  But if you’re haute, opt for fiery red to be the most festive in the room.

His style

Express your style and treat holiday dressing as a different occasion than what you’re used to. The holidays are the perfect reason to bring out those playful and fun styles.

The best festive style is the one that makes you feel good, and appropriate for the occasion.

Be prepared to make the change. Men often transition from work to a holiday bash. Let’s face it. You do not want to change to an entirely different outfit for an event. The solution is to wear at least two of the three holiday party pieces to work and change to a dressier one for the festivities.

For instance, you are attending a professional party. On that day, wear your classic midnight blue suit with a light colored shirt to work. Change your light colored shirt to a darker shade of blue or a dark colored long sleeved shirt or turtleneck after work for the event. You can also change your tie and pocket square. You may play with burgundy or a dark printed pocket square to show off the holiday vibe.

For the social event, go for a more relaxed look. Invest in a good pair of crisp, tailored, and dark jeans. Pair it with a white, black navy or burgundy shirt. And, don’t forget a jacket — a well-structured one is a must-have for any partywear season. Pair your relaxed style with a tux jacket.  It’s fashionable and different. Stand out and be original.

Revel the chance to get dressed up. When the invite calls for a suit-and-tie, don’t stick to the basic boardroom solid. Be more festive and put on one in a subtle plaid. It is perfect for the holidays and beyond. Tux trousers are surprisingly versatile. Go for tailored and slim cut but not groin-hugging. It’s the quickset way to an evening appeal without feeling as though you are wearing a fancy dress. Lush velvet jackets mixed up informally with a variety of other textures are current. When in doubt, wear monochrome. The two-tone look is classic eveningwear for men. Update it with a few modern touches and ditching the elaborate extras. 

Then there are a number of casual parties from get-togethers with friends to family reunions. Here’s your chance to really loosen up. Wear jeans or chinos with a casual shirt or sweater. Go for a plaid shirt in darker hues for a laidback vibe.

Always take it up a notch for the season’s holiday cheer festivities. Raise the bar with modern style details. ‘Tis the season to wear a Swatch to keep updated during the countdown of the gift giving and New Year.

Get in the season’s spirit with these holiday-appropriate styles. ‘Tis the season to be merry and stylish. Happy party season!

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Email Joyce Oreña at jo@joyceorena.com or follow her on Twitter @joyceorena and Instagram @jo_joyceorena.