With the holidays around the corner, dressing up for work functions, dinner parties and ringing in the New Year will be top of mind. But looking for the perfect outfit for a special event can be stressful!

Whether you’re expecting this season or not, here are our top 3 tips to help you look and feel your best for the occasion.

1.     Integrate new textures and colour into your wardrobe.

The little black dress is always a timeless classic and a reliable choice for fancy events but why not add colour into your holiday wardrobe. The trendy colours this season are grey, navy, burgundy, moss greens, classic reds, stark whites and soft creams.

Holiday parties are also a great time to try new textures. Patterns, metallics, lace, leather, and velvet are just some of the fabrics that are popular this season.

2.     Add some sparkle and shine.

The easiest way to incorporate this into your outfit is through accessories. Going big with accessories is a good option especially if you feel limited to what you can wear during pregnancy. Accessories are also a great way to add some pizazz to an otherwise boring dress.

If you have an outfit that already has a lot going on (like sequins or a busy pattern) then keep everything else simple like solid colored shoes or simple accessories. But if you have a monochromatic outfit on don’t be afraid to add color, sparkle or shine. Remember, the key is about balance.

3.     Accentuate your figure!

Sometimes what you wear underneath your outfit is equally as important as what you wear on the outside. There are many amazing new innovative shape wear pieces that can help conceal those areas that you may feel self-conscious about.

For those who are pregnant, there are many great dress shapes that can flatter your figure. Billowing dresses are great in the early stages of pregnancy as they can accommodate your growing belly and can hide any lumps or bumps that you may not be comfortable with.

Don’t be afraid to show off your bump when you’re pregnant. Wearing a dress that is loose to hide your growing belly may just make your look bigger – embrace your new figure and go for something more fitted.

If your feet can take it, heels are a great way to instantly dress up any outfit and can elongate your figure whether you are pregnant or not.

About the author

Phyllis Oruclar is a wife and mother of three very loud boys. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 12 years and has a love for anything designed well.

Phyllis contributes to Calmparent.net because she believes in reconciling her own personal goals with being a busy mother. She is a supporter of what it represents for women – simplifying your life to find balance so that you can pursue your hobbies, or work while still being a dedicated mother. Phyllis is also a personal advocate of Calm Baby Sleep Routine which she used to get her third child on a good sleep routine.

Phyllis enjoys trying new recipes and spending time with her family. She also likes being outdoors, reading a good novel, writing and window-shopping online. Her dynamic and practical ideas are a breath of fresh air for mothers trying to maintain a sense of balance!