What To Wear To A December Dinner

Tina, here.

Going out to dinner often creates a myriad of opposing emotions: excitement (you don't have to cook and do the dishes - yay), dread (you have to find something to wear other than sweats - boo). And the holidays ratchet up this feeling into the "I might need meds" category.

Per usual, it's all about the accessories. Keep reading for some easy outfit formulas you can borrow for your own closet and your next dinner out with friends.

We'll often create a fun outfit for a client's style album and get the question, "Where am I going to wear that?" and the answer is, "Out to dinner or to a holiday party, of course!" And the response is, "Ohhhhh" like we've just revealed the answer to one of life's most perplexing mysteries. Maybe we have. Flashbacks of past dinner date mistakes are crowding your brain right now - let it go. Mistakes will happen no more. Shall we begin?

But wait. Have you heard? The December Style Vault, Merrymaking In Style, is here! Along with a special bonus issue, my first ever shoppable Holiday Gift Guide. Members log in here. Find out how to join here.

I’ve muddled through all the websites, stores, special offers, shipping and return policies for you so what you get here is a targeted list of the best of the best, so you don’t have to wring your hands wondering how to narrow down the choices. This list, my lovely friends, is all you need. And you are about to set the bar high and forever be known as the best gift-giver around. Join the Style Vault now for $7.99 and get the December issue (and all issues) plus this bonus. Merry merry!

What To Wear To A Winter Dinner

1. A Sweater and Skinnies

In December, we get to take everything up a notch, stylistically, even if we're just meeting for a little bite out with friends. To spice up your core pieces, you'll want something that says I'm a party waiting to happen, but I know my place at the table - the grown-ups' table, not the frat party table. If you're showing leg, cover your arms. Conversely, if you're baring arms and cleavage, cover your legs. Tight on the bottom? Go blousy on top. Like this full sweater with skinny pants.

On a cold December night, a cozy sweater is all I want to wear. Or even if it's not cold, I want to feel like it's winter (I love winter). But the key is to pair all that volume from a bulky sweater with skinny pants. This is a great outfit for a fun restaurant or concert.

I normally don't like necklaces with a turtleneck at all, unless it's a very long and narrow necklace, like this tassel one featured in the Style Vault (May). It helps draw the eye to the center of the body, creating a long, vertical line to deemphasize all that bulk a big sweater can create. You can add big earrings if there is a lot of space between them and your necklace. Otherwise there is just too much going on with the turtleneck. Shop amazing earrings in the December Style Vault.

I'm wearing skinny white leather pants. I FREAKED out when I found them and squeezed myself into them. You can wear them, too. I like pairing them with a longer sweater. I've included a fab long blush sweater in the December Style Vault, Merrymaking In Style, and just added some faux leather skinnies to the Style Notes (which I also bought because they are a bit more forgiving than the ones I'm wearing).

2. Fancy Pants

I am in love with velvet. Can't.Get.Enough. But you have to downplay everything else. Hence, a simple snow white jacket. I will probably wear this outfit to a December birthday party, or it would be great for a school event.

This is a great example of high-low: my jacket is Nina Ricci and my washed velvet pants are a no-name $14.99 score. There are some great velvet pieces in the December Style Vault so you can indulge, too. And these velvet shoes! Oh My I stalked them until I found them in my size. I have just added a fab pair of velvet heels to the December Vault Style Notes, and you'll find a gorgeous pair of satin heels, too.

My snow white jacket is not all that simple, now that I think about it. It's got those rough edges that make me seem cooler than I am. Shop a similarly fab snow white jacket (don't worry, it doesn't have threads hanging down just so like this one) in the December Style Vault.

3. Jeans and a fun top.

Great for a low/casual dinner with friends, maybe in a home around the fireplace. Just grab your fave jeans and top, and pile on the jewelry to make it extra special.

My top isn't that special, but my sweater wrap and jewelry are! Shop this fur collar wrap/sweater inside the December Style Vault, Style Notes.

Here's an up close of that fur collar. Add a bit of fur when you're going out, faux is fine. It just glams up your outfit!

If in doubt about what to wear to dinner, I always believe it's better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you have a fabulous dress hanging in your closet you've only worn once and you're waiting for the right event, wait no longer. Pull it out and wear it to your next dinner. If it's super fancy, just let people wonder what other fabulous events require your presence later that night.

If you’re in the Nashville area, check out our amazing Nashville Wardrobe Consulting services, and don’t forget to join the Style Vault today to start shopping and saving on brand new items. New styles just added to the December Style Notes!