What should you wear this holiday season?

It is hard to believe it is time to think about holiday parties again, but it is. To avoid the stressful last minute rush, start early. Shop now! Get it over with, and just smile when your friends tell you the horror story of how she had to leave work early, rush to the mall, fight for a parking spot, wait in line for a dressing room, and ended up buying a dress she less than loves, knowing that you did it from the quiet comfort of your own home, sitting in your pajamas with a cup of sugar free hot chocolate, listening to your ipod (instead of that crazy chrismas music that eventually makes you go insane) on-line at back-in-style.com. Not only was it a more plesant experience, but you also got a dress that makes you look incredible, and that you are certain no one else will have, at a much cheaper price than she did, leaving you extra money to buy a new tie or shirt to ensure that your date looks as good as you do.

So now that I have told you how to shop, what should you shop for?
Just want to buy one thing, or aren't sure what the occassion calls for?
Go black! Black is back, and it is classic and simple. If you have a lot of parties to go to, you can wear the same dress to each one, just change the accesories. Also, if you are not sure what the dress code for the party is, a black cocktail length dress is always the best way to go. It can be dressy or casual with the change of your attitude and hairstyle.

Don't feel like wearing a cocktail dress? Try a pencil skirt. Sexy but demure the 1940's style pencil skirt has a strong presence this season, and it is easy to dress up for the holidays. Feeling trendy, wear it with a wide belt. Feeling classic, tuck in a satin button down or tie neck blouse. Feeling cold, add an embellished feminine shrug. The pencil skirt is also a great alternative if you are coming from work. Wear it to work with a blazer, suit style. Then for evening, switch your office pumps to sexy metallic ankle strap shoes, and your tote back to a clutch. Add some extra jewelry, long necklaces, or long dangle earrings, and you are cocktail ready.

Red and green not your colors? Choose gold. It is very rich and warm and still holiday-esque. Brocade and velvet are also a very festive and wintery fabrics that are always holiday appropriate. Also try mixing textures and fabrics. Wear a satin blouse with a velvet skirt, or or a brocade dress with a soft sweater. Combining textures adds depth, and keeps an outfit from being to expected and ordinary.

So now that you know what you are looking for, go to www.back-in-style.com and start shopping for it, from the comfort of your home, or office, of where ever you may be.It is hard to believe it is time to think about holiday parties again, but it is. To avoid the stressful last minute rush, start early. Shop now! Get it over with, and just smile when your friends tell you the horror story of how she had to leave work early, rush to the mall, fight for a parking spot, wait in line for a dressing room, and ended up buying a dress she less than loves, knowing that you did it from the quiet comfort of your own home, sitting in your pajamas with a cup of sugar free hot chocolate, listening to your ipod (instead of that crazy chrismas music that eventually makes you go insane) on-line at back-in-style.com. Not only was it a more plesant experience, but you also got a dress that makes you look incredible, and that you are certain no one else will have, at a much cheaper price than she did, leaving you extra money to buy a new tie or shirt to ensure that your date looks as good as you do.

So now that I have told you how to shop, what should you shop for?
Just want to buy one thing, or aren't sure what the occassion calls for?
Go black! Black is back, and it is classic and simple. If you have a lot of parties to go to, you can wear the same dress to each one, just change the accesories. Also, if you are not sure what the dress code for the party is, a black cocktail length dress is always the best way to go. It can be dressy or casual with the change of your attitude and hairstyle.

Don't feel like wearing a cocktail dress? Try a pencil skirt. Sexy but demure the 1940's style pencil skirt has a strong presence this season, and it is easy to dress up for the holidays. Feeling trendy, wear it with a wide belt. Feeling classic, tuck in a satin button down or tie neck blouse. Feeling cold, add an embellished feminine shrug. The pencil skirt is also a great alternative if you are coming from work. Wear it to work with a blazer, suit style. Then for evening, switch your office pumps to sexy metallic ankle strap shoes, and your tote back to a clutch. Add some extra jewelry, long necklaces, or long dangle earrings, and you are cocktail ready.

Red and green not your colors? Choose gold. It is very rich and warm and still holiday-esque. Brocade and velvet are also a very festive and wintery fabrics that are always holiday appropriate. Also try mixing textures and fabrics. Wear a satin blouse with a velvet skirt, or or a brocade dress with a soft sweater. Combining textures adds depth, and keeps an outfit from being to expected and ordinary.

So now that you know what you are looking for, go to www.back-in-style.com and start shopping for it, from the comfort of your home, or office, of where ever you may be.
Everything pictured above is available at www.back-in-style.com

The ettiquete of giving vintage as gifts

Our very own Gretchen asks the Miami Herald Advice Diva, Tara Solomn about the ettique of giving vintage as gifts. Read on to see what she said...

ADVICE DIVA
It's not used junk -- it's vintage BY TARA SOLOMON
advicediva@MiamiHerald.com
Dear Advice Diva:

As co-owner of a vintage and resale clothing website, I am often presented with fashion questions. I am hoping to get your advice on one of the more frequent dilemmas. My clients love vintage and are past feeling uncomfortable wearing a used dress or carrying a pre-owned handbag, but some are hesitant when it comes to giving a used gift. Personally, I feel a vintage gift not only allows you to afford more value on your budget, but that often the item is more unique and special. They may get 10 scented candles, but they'll most definitely only receive one 1940s mesh evening bag. What do you recommend?

Gretchen

Dear Gretchen:

You are asking a woman who has been obsessed with vintage since she was a grade-schooler racing around the house in retro prom dresses (courtesy of a very eccentric grandmother) and pointy shoes with pom-poms on top. Not only do we see absolutely nothing wrong with gifting vintage, we encourage it, but only for certain people. If they don't already wear or appreciate vintage, buy a gift card at Saks instead; you don't want to be known as the person who gave them a hand-me-down.

When you do give vintage, be sure to wrap it beautifully in a box with tissue, tied with a big satin ribbon (presentation is everything). If your gift came from a vintage boutique, place the business card on top of the tissue; if you found your treasure thrifting, skip the card (somehow, Goodwill Industries doesn't have the same cache).

Also appreciated is a little note on the history of the gift, if you know it. For instance: ''The antique market vendor told me this necklace belonged to his great aunt, who was a brilliant soprano who sang at the Met!'' Works for us.

Unique and affordable vintage gifts

For your co-worker: A fabulous vintage clutch that she can throw in her work bag for nights out on the town is a great gift. Inside add an IOU for an after work happy hour where she can use the clutch.

For your secret santa: Is your budget $20 or less? Then you are in luck. Back-in-style.com has over 400 items that are under $20. How about a cute piece of vintage jewlery. Some dangle earrings, or a long necklace to add some color and sparkle to her drab office wardrobe. Or for him- a fun vintage tie to make the office more interesting?

For that special someone: How about a trendy corduroy or velvet blazer. Great to wear during the holidays, or with jeans on your date night. Sensual and soft you'll be touching him all night long...

For your sister, the girl who has always borrowed your clothes: You already know what she likes. Just pick something similar to what she used to steal from your closet. Or just give her that item she is coveting from your closet, and buy something new for yourself...

For your best friend: After diamonds, a fabulous handbag is a girl's best friend. Back-in-style.com has many to choose from. Unique vintage to contemporary designer. A big tote to lug all her files to the office, or a cute little baguette for when you are out shopping. Or maybe a tote to carry all her gym clothes. No matter what her style, you will certainly find it at back-in-style.com

Your brothers, or brother-in-law: You thought this one was hard, but now it is simple, Cufflinks! The hottest new accessory for men. Affordable ($20 at back-in-style.com) and unique, they make the perfect thoughtful gesture without looking like you are trying too hard.

All the items above are available at www.back-in-style.com