Health
Holiday Glamour -- Inside and Out!
Looking and feeling glamorous for the holidays does not depend on being beautiful, having a perfect body or being a certain age. All it takes is a little more time and care with your appearance and attitude. Here's where to start:
For the Women
- When choosing clothes for holiday parties, decide in advance whether or not you will buy something new to wear.
- Plan a budget and stick to it. It's not fun to worry about how much you are spending.
- Look for fabrics that are special, but that can also be worn on other occasions. Velvet, silk and cashmere are all good choices. Suede and leather are beautiful-yet-casual fabrics that bring a touch of glamour to your image.
- Don't feel pressured to buy seasonal "holiday colors." Red might not be your most flattering color, or you might even look a little "green" in green. So, think of alternative colors that are unique to you. The color white, for example, may best flatter your skin and hair color. A winter white or off-white suit or dress in a good-quality fabric can be extremely striking and glamorous.
- You don't have to spend a bundle. Even one item, such as a rich colored shawl, can spruce up a black dress. Similarly, a silk ruffled blouse can transform a plain skirt.
- Shoes are very important and can make or break a holiday outfit. Silk or velvet slippers are lovely when worn with a pair of dressy pants. Beaded sandals or satin mules are acceptable any time of year for eveningwear.
- Even if the invitation states "casual dress," do something different to your appearance. If you normally wear jeans to a casual event, try a skirt with a pair of sporty boots. A new lipstick can change your entire appearance, as can other new makeup colors.
- A holiday schedule can be hectic, so try to plan ahead for your office parties, social events and gatherings of friends and family. Is there time to squeeze in a manicure or another pampering treatment? A professional wash and blow-dry can sometimes make you feel more glamorous than a new party dress!
- Take more time getting dressed. Have a luxurious bath; spend extra time on your makeup and hair. When you take the time to care for yourself, it shows!
- It might sound like hard work, but a man with true style and glamour takes care of the details. Trim your beard, take care of your skin, make sure your nails are clean and trimmed -- and don't forget the haircut!
- A break from the suit is well deserved for the holidays. Men love to leave the jacket and tie in the corporate closet until after Jan. 1. And so they should.
- Less is more. The glamorous man may begin with an excellent-quality, fine-knit, long-sleeve polo shirt in wool or cashmere. A fabulous pair of trousers -- perhaps in a fine mid-weight wool gabardine and cut to fit him perfectly -- an elegant leather belt, a great watch and a pair of really good-quality shoes are all that is needed. Forget the heavy red Christmas sweaters with the white snowflakes; a chic mock turtleneck is sexier and more comfortable, too.
- Suede and leather are also good alternatives for men. A soft suede shirt-jacket replaces the blazer. A leather jacket is fine as long as you're not left wearing a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt when you take it off.
- If you're the kind of man who just grabs a button-down shirt and a pair of khaki's when it's time to party, try doing something a little different this year. Indulge yourself; get out of your rut. Take your significant other out to the shops for a little pre-holiday shopping. Choose something special for a change!
The true meaning of glamour also pertains to things that don't have anything to do with your appearance, for glamour can also be recognized in behavior. Graciousness and manners are particularly appreciated during the holidays, and there are many things you can do during the season to exude a glamorous inner style:
- Send thank you notes to your hosts. Even though some may consider it old fashioned, a hand-written thank you note never goes out of style.
- Give an anonymous gift to someone in need.
- Help out in the kitchen, even when hosts, family members or friends graciously refuse. Find some way to help.
- Never arrive empty-handed at the home of someone who is hosting a party or dinner. The gift does not have to be large; a small token is always appreciated.
- Always respond to an invitation, whether or not you plan to attend.
- Don't overindulge. A glamorous person knows when to stop.
