What to Wear: The Hostess With the Mostest

December 11, 2013

Your strapless bra is falling down, the spaghetti straps are, too. Your feet are DYING in those crazy (but stunning) six-inch heels. Your hosiery has a run. And while duchesse satin is beautiful, it’s binding you like a straight jacket — you couldn’t bend over to pick up that fallen canape if your party’s success depended on it. But is it possible to get more out of your look? Something classy, yet wearable? With a little planning, yes.

We pulled together four standout examples of hostess outfits that are just darling or sexy or artistic or bold, whatever you please. What they aren’t is restrictive or uncomfortable, allowing you to be the social butterfly all night long. Think of these basic rules as you view:

Don’t go shorter than mid-thigh.
Shift and A-line dresses are your friend, so is Lycra.
Go for LDs that allow you to wear a bra with at least one strap. Make sure your straps won’t fall.
Wear sensible party shoes. Try a squared off heel and a shallow pitch (that’s the angle of the sole).
If you’re going to cover those gams, go for black opaque tights; they wear well, are flattering and cover.

Holiday Collage: The Hostess With the Mostess

Print Story

1. Dorothy Perkins Print Cross Over Dress $59, 2. Samantha Wallis Alabama Skis Collar Necklace $350.09, 3. ASOS Gorjana Oval Stone Ring $60.80, 4. Shop the Shoebox Vince Camuto, VC Signature Salette Pump $250
Dancing Queen

1. Saks Fifth Avenue ABS by Allen Schwartz Jewelry Lariat Necklace $85, 2. Topshop Sequin Velvet Dress $136, 3. A La Russe Gilded Leave Chain Headpiece $210, 4. Dorothy Perkins Black Stud Point Shoe Boots $95
Sparkle and Lace

1. Mango Faux Leather Applique Leggings $44.99, 2. River Island Black Lace Embellished High Neck Tank Top $80, 3. Topshop Petite Long Line Cami Top $12, 4. Shopbop Alexis Bittar Dangling Rigel Earrings $206.50, 5. Saks Fifth Avenue Judith Leiber Cherisse Step-Cut Crystal Cocktail Ring $173, 6. J.Crew Collection Etta Satin Glitter-Sole Pumps $298
Ms. Golightly

1. Tophsop Embellished A-Line Dress $130, 2. Stella Dot Linda Studs $24, 3. ASOS River Island Gunmental Banghra Bangle Pack $27.22, 4. Lord and Taylor ISOLA Eleni Patent Leather Pumps $99
Bejeweled Tones

1. BCBG Jeweled Cuff $68, 2. Topshop V Front Chiffon Insert Dress $76, 3. LOFT Neutral Gemstone Bobby Pin Set $19.50, 4. Cole Haan Chelsea T-Strap Sandal $199

A contributing writer to theFashionSpot, Marisa has penned articles and features in over a dozen online and print publications. She's worked as fashion critic and creative director for papierdoll.com, been the managing editor for Caribbean-based Ocean Style Magazine, and worked with Set Magazine, a luxury lifestyle magazine based in Zurich, as a contributing editor. She splits her time between New York, Los Angeles and her hometown as a freelance fashion and cultural copywriter, editor and journalist. You can find out more at her site marisaswanson.com and follow her on Twitter @mraswan.