Courtney SmithThe Hostess:
Do you find yourself hosting holiday get-togethers and dinners? This can be a lot of work and take a lot of time to prepare. If this is something that you’re facing, this look would be perfect for you. When you take the poncho off you can relax in your soft, gray long sleeved shirt and pants. Then when it is time for your guests to arrive you can throw on your poncho and give the appearance that you put a lot of thought into your festive attire. Now, I know I tend to get a little accident prone in the kitchen. Helpful Tip #1: Did I mention that a poncho provides a great way to hide any mishaps while cooking? Just toss it over your shoulder and work the fabric to your advantage.
This season is all about bringing back the poncho. This beautiful pattern is the perfect way to wear neutral tones in an interesting way. Pairing the leather paneled pants gives this look a special touch of texture. The large black handbag with fringe accents really helps complete the outfit. Another huge trend this season.
Now I usually always accessorize with a necklace, especially with a solid tee shirt. However, with this specific look you can get away without wearing one and add a pair of great pair of earrings, bracelets or a statement ring instead. With all of the different ways you can play with a poncho, sometimes a necklace can become a nuisance when trying to throw the poncho over your shoulder. Helpful tip #2: There’s nothing like slapping yourself in the face with your necklace, huh? I would avoid it altogether.
The Party Guest:
This look was a no-brainer when it came to selecting a show-stopping look. This tunic is being worn two different ways. Now listen closely because this does not work for every woman (it’s super short and anyone who is taller will probably need leggings underneath). The first image is being worn as a dress, however some tunics are just too short to wear as dresses. The movement with this tunic is unbelievable! This could be a wonderful option for a cocktail party paired with this fun, sparkly clutch. Helpful Tip #3: If you can’t bend over to pick something up in your dress, you should probably cover your legs.
Don’t have a cocktail party to attend? Perhaps you have an office party that calls for something dressier. This is another great opportunity to pair the leather pants with this fringe, metallic tunic. Now you can shimmy your way to the buffet line in style (no, seriously if you’re wearing a fringe style, it requires some shimmying). You can also spice it up with an accent color by wearing a fun wedge or stiletto; maybe the color of the year, “marsala” (basically a fancy term for burgundy or maroon).
Maybe you really want to take your look to the next level and get super fancy (imagine me singing Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” while checking this look out). Step outside the box and wear white in the winter. If you’ve read a recent fashion post from another Clutch MOV fashionista, Candace Read then you’ve already learned that a lot of the fashion rules have been thrown out the door. Just about anything seems to go when it comes to color. This beaded white dress screams elegance and beauty. To take this look to the next level and bring some drama into the picture, this black fur coat took this up a level. Think of this as a “big city look” in a “small town” (we could probably get away with fist pumping to “Journey” if we really wanted to after that analogy). Helpful Hint #4: Don’t hold back on a “big city” look simply because we don’t live in NYC or L.A. Basically, “Don’t Stop Believing” you can wear whatever you want. You’d be surprised how many people hold back for this specific reason. You also have the bonus of now knowing I can incorporate two genres of music within one look!
We HAD to showcase this leopard print jacket with these luxurious velvet, red gloves (yes, I purred out loud when I saw this piece). The texture of this alone was to die for. Look how cozy Shalee looks. Who’s ready to snuggle up this winter and get comfortable with these trends?
Love these looks? All pieces are available from the stunning and stylish Teri Ann’s in Marietta, Ohio.
Fashions modeled by the beautiful Shalee Lathey