First step: identify your personal holiday-dressing persona. Are you all about classic glamour (think Cate Blanchett), trendsetting style (a la Sienna Miller), casual luxe (Kate Hudson, naturally), sexy-chic (like Jessica Alba), or business formal (can you say Condoleeza Rice)? Take our quiz and find out what approach most complements your personal look and lifestyle preferences. Then, hit the stores to find the perfect outfit so you can welcome the festive season in style!
1. My biggest-priority holiday social events typically are
a) Formal dinners and maybe even a fundraising gala, plus cocktail parties
b) Fab parties and dinners at the hottest restaurants
c) Cosy dinner parties at our family cottage, vacation time at a ski resort
d) Cocktail parties and small dinner parties
e) Apres-work office events and industry parties
2. The amount of time I'm willing to invest getting ready for a key holiday event is
a) Pretty generous. I'll get my hair done at the salon, along with a mani-pedi, and spend an hour on my makeup that evening.
b) About one hour for hair and makeup. (Wardrobe selection and styling: that may take me up to a week in advance planning, though!)
c) About 20 minutes: concealer, shimmer cream, mascara, hits of eyeshadow and lipgloss are all I need. Yoga gives me a natural glow, after all! And I'll let my hair do whatever it wants, or else just grab it in a pony.
d) As long as it takes to get every detail right and double-check my face and wardrobe from every angle. That usually means four play-throughs of the CD FutureSex/LoveSounds in its entirety.
e) I'm the expert of office bathroom prep. It'll take me just 10 minutes to brush my teeth, trade my buttondown shirt for a cami, and freshen my makeup.
a) A wonderful opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy fine conversation and food with adults (and maybe an extremely well-behaved child or two) in a festively formal setting.
b) A fun time to get together with friends and stay out late merrymaking!
c) A beautiful time to enjoy the season with close friends and beloved family members, with an emphasis on slowing down and relaxing.
d) Getting out there and hitting the party circuit during the most festive and dressiest time of the year (and, truth be told, wowing people with the fruits of my workout regimen!).
e) A series of great opportunities to log festive face time with business associates and make new contacts in a friendlier, less 9-to-5 setting. Food, drink, and shoptalk: what could be better?
4. My personal wardrobe-building philosophy is
a) You can't go wrong investing in designer labels and quality worksmanship, not matter what the cost. Avoid the trends and pay more for pieces that will last 10 years – or more.
b) It's fun to spend time experimenting and pulling together a look that's uniquely your own, and quality vintage pieces plus inexpensive trend items achieve that nicely.
c) Comfort is luxury, so investing in pieces that flatter the body through draping and flowing (as opposed to nipping and supporting) are always a smart approach. Designer brands take the care to ensure the look is chic, not schleppy.
d) You should flaunt your assets, so anything fitted, lower-cut or short fits the bill nicely, in a mix of classic and trendy pieces.
e) High-end suits are an investment in your career. Impeccable tailoring shows a woman is inside that suit, while prestige scarves, shoes and purses show you've arrived.
5. My celeb style icons include
a) Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, Sonja Smits
b) Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Mila Jovovich
c) Kate Hudson & Goldie Hawn (like mother, like daughter!), Rachel McAdams
d) Jessica Alba, Giselle Bundchen, Jennifer Hudson
e) Condoleeza Rice, Angelina Jolie, Michaëlle Jean
6. My personal style mantra is
a) Good taste is timeless.
b) Stay ahead of the curve.
c) Mix comfort and style – fabulously!
d) Turn heads wherever you go.
e) A beautifully tailored suit and killer heels will get you through anything.
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