Holiday Dressing with Veronica Beard.

In partnership with Veronica Beard.

Veronica Beard’s winter party collection stopped me in my tracks this year — so many sophisticated yet festive pieces to wear to all my holiday events, from cocktail parties to Christmas teas. I was ecstatic when the team at Veronica Beard invited me to style a few of their pieces, and decided to spotlight the collection’s diversity by dressing up and down for the holidays in this post.

We’ll start with the dressier side. When I first saw their gold lame Alberta dress, I knew it had to be mine. The silhouette and neckline are pure old Hollywood elegance, and the sandwashed lamé finish makes for a chic, understated shimmer. I feel like a golden goddess in this gown. The draped fit is highly flattering, and I love the seamed, fitted waistline, which nips in at and draws attention to the narrowest part of my body. (Note: this dress also comes in a classic black charmeuse if you’re a black dress girlie!) This is my top pick for formal events this winter season — weddings, formal office parties, NYE. I’m hosting a martini hour a few nights before Thanksgiving and we’re all dressing up, so I can’t wait to slip into this spectacular dress for the occasion: a dramatic kick-off to the holidays.

Notes on sizing: This dress is perfection for tall Magpies. (I had to have mine hemmed several inches — I’m 5’0). I took a 00 in this dress and it just fits. I’m normally a 0 but can usually take a smaller size in dresses for some reason (in pants, never). I would suggest taking your true size in this.

For more casual events, I cannot recommend these straight-leg metallic jeans for enthusiastically. Metallics are seriously trending for the winter season, and these are a lowkey way to communicate the spirit of the season without all the bells and whistles. Pair with a chunky statement sweater for a big look or a simple ivory pullover for a quiet luxury effect.

I went a size up in the pants, as the fit is slim and straight through the hips (my curviest part). These are also again a good fit for tall Magpies — I am having mine tailored by a few inches so that it hits closer to my ankle (versus the tops of my heels).

I’m wearing below with the most fabulous ivory topcoat. I love the classic, menswear-inspired double breasted silhouette (and its dramatically wide collar!), which are perfectly balanced by the slightly nipped-in waist and exquisite tailoring of the piece. This is a forever, for-everything coat. Throw on over jeans and a tee or style over your holiday finest, whether you’re 28 or 88 or anything in between.

A few other standouts from the Veronica Beard holiday collection that I want to spotlight: this fuchsia velvet mini (imagine with patterned tights and platforms!), these feather trim kick flares (!!! — you know i love this denim silhouette and the feathers are SO fun), and this selling-quickly satin blazer in the perfect holiday pine color, which would be so elegant with high-waisted (tartan?) trousers.

Happy holiday shopping!

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