Go for neutral-colored cardigans that can be used outside the holiday season. Silvers, golds and metallic are often in the neutral family and can be paired with different colored pants.
Don't have time to change out of your pant suit? "Keep some accessories in your bag that can punch up your work suit and make it look way more fabulous than it was at the office," Lisa says.
Feel free to keep your suit buttoned up and your blouse under wraps during the day, she adds. "That way, when you get to happy hour or the cocktail party, you can lose the jacket, or unbutton it or roll up your sleeve. Add a necklace, and the blouse becomes more of the holiday spirit underneath."
Whatever you do, swap your shoes. "Please don't show up in the sneakers that you were walking to the Metro in!" Lisa says.
Silver shimmer cardigan $79.50, cream blouse $69.50, metallic brocade skirt $89.50, Banana Republic (WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
"Let's say something is $100. If you only wear it once, that item costs you $100 to wear. If you wear it 10 times, it costs you $10 per wear. And it goes down and down and down the more times you use it," she says.
Sweater dresses are great because you can get multiples uses out of one piece.
"You can add a necklace to host your party, but then dress it down with a nice scarf and boots, and run to get the kids after school," Lisa says.
Burgundy sweater dress $130, multi-jewel necklace $89.50, BR (WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Look for pieces that can take you one step further than your "every day usual get-up," Lisa says.
Red jeans $89.50, lace sweater $79.50, BR (WTOP/Stephanie Steinberg)
Editor’s Note: This is the first Living in Style segment with Style for Hire’s Lisa Tumbarello. WTOP is teaming up with Lisa to share style tips, clothing bargains and fashion do’s and don’ts.
WASHINGTON – It’s the holiday season, and odds are you’re going to be invited to an office party, family dinner or holiday celebration with friends. Of course, the main question is what to wear?
Lisa Tumbarello, from the personal stylist group Style for Hire, offers tips to make you look great and feel comfortable among your co-workers or that special someone. WTOP met Lisa at Banana Republic at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Md. where she showed us this year’s holiday trends.
Check out the photo gallery for style ideas and read Lisa’s holiday fashion tips below.
Leave the Santa sweater in your closet.
That is, unless you are having an ugly sweater party at your house. Then it’s totally OK to show off your prancing reindeer.
Go for the sequins.
There are lots of sequins out there right now as well as metallic sweaters and cardigans. Just that little bit of shine is appropriate for daytime or the evening, Lisa says. Wear it to the office or when picking up the kids after school and you still look appropriate.
Keep the shape simple.
V-neck, boat neck and scoop neck sweaters are the most flattering on anyone.
Invest in the basics.
Cardigans are always a good idea because you can layer them over something basic like a white T-shirt. If you are on a tight budget, you could pull out a pair of nice jeans you already have. But if you are going to invest in one thing, invest in an elegant sweater.
“Unlike that ugly holiday sweater that has the reindeer on it
