By Melynda Choothesa & Lina Lecaro
New Years Eve, like Halloween, is a time to get glam, go crazy, even a little costume-y…It’s also a great way to make yourself over for the coming year. Bigger statements, better accessories and bolder pieces will get you noticed this year, so go for it. In LA a look-at-me getup is practically mandatory. In honor of keeping tinseltown’s glamorous mystique alive, we’ve compiled 10 foxy and fab looks to try Monday night and the many going-out evenings of 2013 to follow…. Happy New You!
10. Rhinestoned
We’ve come a long way from rhinestone cowgirls and tacky Don Ed Hardy bling, baby. Faux diamonds and gems have been updated, and they look fabulous and even chic, these days. Perfect example: this classy collared number from Zara.com.
9. Nice & Steamy
Goth is glam, most of the time… LA clothing company Lip Service, known for goth and rock gear has evolved a lot over the years, and these days their hottest pieces are less vinyl vamp and more Victorian doll. Crushed velvet frocks, lace and vintage looking ruffles have an old timey charm that will never be “out.” Dresses like the duo above make for a retro drama that’ll get you noticed. Lipservice.com
8. Venus In Furs
Another trend to try for evoking glamour (and warmth): FAUX fur. Not so easy to come by at thrift shops like Goodwill and Out of the closet anymore, but you can find it new all over the net. Throw a funky faux fur shawl on over a dress or something elegant/simple like black leather pants and a white tee draped in fur is simple yet seductive! Don’t be afraid to go all out pimpy and get a full length coat to wear either… just make sure it’s fake! Real fur is gauche, animal-hating and Kardashian-esque… and nobody wants that. Coat above by Betsey Johnson at Nordstrom (see site for LA locations).
7. Bubbling Burlesque Babe
Retro luxe always looks right. Betty Page Clothing on Hollywood Blvd. has some tarty yet demure pieces. The look above, with a fuller skirt is unexpected and festive ainit? Do your hair in pin curls or waves for an added effect. Want to go a little wild on this one? Get a vintage curve-hugging dress and an embellished corset. Put the corset on OVER the fitted dress. Recruit a friend to cinch you in. If you were single when the night started, you won’t be the next day.
6. Winter White Wonderful
Go to Frock LA and get a long white dress. Go to a party. Meet future husband/girlfriend/life partner. The end. (Everyone will be wearing dark colors and to stand out, you have to be bold. A tighty whitey like above is bold. Simple.)
5. Boho Goddess
Get some tinsel or flowers for your head. Mix up some bright colors in more formal fabrics like silk, satin, linen and lace loosely in layers for an ethereal feel. We recommend Odylyne (we reviewed them for fashion week) or hit up Free People 9where the frock above is available). Best thing about this is that you can wear it for Spring, too. Add some gold jewelry for a little more formal flair.
4. Fit & Futuristic
Bandage dresses are sure to be all over the place as they were this year in the clubs. An alternative? A slinky cotton spandex dress from American Apparel. The price is right, and they come in tons of different colors. A stretch/sexy dress from Brian Lichtenberg (who makes body-con looks for everyone form Britney Spears to Nicki Minaj) is a quick if not as frugal way to look sexy and red-carpet ready… see his site for a list of local retailers. Stilettos from DSW and some makeup from Sephora or MAC (make ‘em do it for you if there’s time!) will help you strut your stuff like you are about to win an award, or at least a nice table at a Hollywood hipster hotspot. This is also the look we recommend rocking with body glitter, and lots of it.
3. Disco Diva
Nothing says dance floor decadence like a Studio 54-stype frock. When we want to be really glamorous, our references are always Charlie Angels, Love Boat and the queen, Cher in Bob Mackie for her variety show with ex Sonny. If you think about it, half the stuff on this list (fur, rhinestones, boho long lengths) takes from these 70′s sexbomb styles. We hunt for them often on Etsy and Ebay, but since there’s no time for that, look for ‘em at Wasteland, Jet Rag, Squaresville or, our favorite -thanks to owner/pal Micki Curtis’ great curation of pieces- Lemon Frog Shop.
2. Metallics Ma’am
The dress du jour for NYE is made from various types of metallics: sequins, lame, and satins in shades of gold and silver. If you go this route make sure you accessorize in original ways so that even if you run into a gal in the same piece, you look unique. For a fast throw-away look, try that cheap-chic stand-by, Forever 21. We were just at the H&H Center outlet and saw lots of gilded glam in the $20-30 range. Wanna spend a little more? Bebe, also at H&H has some sequined minis and shiny separates that’ll surely give you some gleam… We’d go for the gold in a 60′s style shift dress with all over sequins (pictured), and rock it with big hair and major accessories. The muli-colored sequined dresses in the featured photo at the top of this post -again by Brian Lichtenberg- are great too. If you’re planning on drinking a lot, the sequins forgive the bloat and the accents distract.
1. Wear The Pants
“Whoa!? What… lose the dress??? Never….” Well, you should do it. Why? Nobody else will be dressed like you, you will not be cold, and you can do it cheaply… Your boyfriend’s closet is easy to raid (he has low security on his apartment) if you want to do the authentic menswear look.
The sexier option is just as easy. Go to H&M (avoid the mall masses and go to the Hollywood Blvd. location) and get some fitted leather tights, a white tuxedo shirt, and a silk bow-tie. Afterward, get a top hat from your favorite costume shop. Pair with sexy heels and a black lace bra that pops thru the shirt. Who knows? Maybe the masculine garb will emanate power for 2013, helping you to break the glass ceiling or other barriers that stood in your way this year. Either way, you’ll thank us for this one. It might be man’s world, but in 2013, it’ll be nothing without a woman or a girl… like you!
