You may also be interested in:

We’re looking for a dress code for our holiday party invitation that isn’t intimidatingly dressy, but is not too causal. We don’t want guests going over the top, or even thinking they have to wear a tie, but we do want them to dress up. What do you suggest?

–Holiday Party Hosts, Manhattan

The best hosts hope their guests will be feeling the holiday magic, but don’t want them trying too hard. Looking as though they’ve spent too much time thinking about what to wear to look perfect is obviously not cool.

The chic-est eye-catching guests are not overdone, in fact, they are at ease with their fashion statement. Guests want to dress in a special way — away from the drag of everyday workhorse duds.

At the same time they want to wear clothing they already have, but with a new festive element. Let guests know they can wear with confidence their same-old-same-old all black and add a festive pop of color with a wonderful  faux necklace, dangling earrings or tie.

As the hosts it is your duty to encourage your guests to act and look festive for a night. Using the word “Festive” or the phrase “Festive Attire” in the bottom right hand corner of your invitation will work as a dress code for your holiday party.

~Didi