Fashion Friday: What I Won’t Be Wearing this Holiday Season

After the last couple of editions, you probably figure that I slum it most days. Being a SAHM/WAHM is pretty much about dressing and feeling comfy and relaxed. We can’t all be Katie Holmes or Posh Spice Beckham. Honestly, you’re not going to get far through the soccer field pushing your stroller with 3 inch stilettos on your pedicured toesies. Lululemon yoga pants have been “luxury” for me these last few years. Especially since they stretch out to yonder, but stretch right back. Into place and they still manage to make the most of every ass that inhabits them.

Alas, there was a life before this Stay-At-Home-ness. There was a career, a job at a big company that had big celebrations at holiday time. And often even throughout the year at annual meetings, product launches, or just because the company was doing well. When most companies were doing well.

Being a girlie-girl, and self-professed shopaholic, it’s been an annual tradition of mine to purchase a party frock to attend these “galas” of both mine and my husband’s organizations. I always rationalized the purchases with the fact that I would actually wear the outfit more than once (practical woman that I am) as chances were remote that the same people would be at both parties. So these lovely numbers wouldn’t necessarily rot in my closet after only one appearance. I still somehow managed to keep this tradition up the last two years even though there’s only been the one company function. After all, I still have to look half decent as the “wife” of my “company guy” husband.

Well, this year, there won’t be the usual holiday affair. Which I’ve heard is becoming more the norm as companies are tightening the belts, people are wanting to be rewarded in other ways (eg. more family time; or just “show me the money”); not everyone wants to “party all the time, party all the time” with workmates and the spouses whose names they always forget. But Ian’s group will still be having something, hosted by his boss. A smaller, more intimate but decidedly more casual affair. Which should be fun.

But enough preamble. Let’s wipe away the cobwebs and journey through holiday glam party dress past... (apologies for the fuzziness - time is short, blurry had to do)

This grey number with satiny gun metal bust is as close as I got to Herve Leger corset style. As in it hugged the body amazingly well. I was so happy to still be able to get into it after Liam was born. But only just... haven't tried again since, don't want to witness too much unnecessary fold action:

This cute thing Ian called my ugly carpet dress. Nice guy, isn't he? He just doesn't understand fashion. It's a dress by the defunct but now born again Damzels in this Dress, a Canadian design duo. Another clingy number, I really liked the buckle shoulder straps. Again, not worn since before baby girl was born. But I'd still like to if Ian decides to wear blinders.

This dress I loved for its back. It's a dark brown velour fabric, oh so comfortable , oh so elegant, to the floor. Perfect for winter.

This following sparkly number I bought four years ago for my brother's wedding. I call it my Joan Collins Dynasty dress. Because I am soooo not a sparkly glitter type of gal. But for some reason this spoke to me, and unfortunately nobody had to fortitude to speak to ME about how tacky it might be.

I did however, wear it again because I paid a bloody amount more than I should have. So here we are in our holiday glory the year before I got pregnant with little G:

I picked up this BCBG Max Azria gown earlier this year to attend the Brazilian Ball. What a spectacle that was! I loved the gown, although I had to wear toe-splitting heels in order to carry off the length. Thank goodness I had my Crocs to drive home in.

I did post about those festivities. But as a reminder of how it looked on, with the perfect accessory:
But this is my favourite dress so far. It's my beloved Nicole Miller cocktail length I picked up for last year's gala. Love this number, even though Liam calls it my "garbage bag" dress. It can be dressed up as much as much as I like, but I could still probably get away with wearing it just out for a nice night on the town. With the hubby. Something that's long overdue ... what a good idea! I think that can be arranged.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends to the south, and happy weekend to all!