This time of year is not called The Festive Season without good reason. Replete with parties and holiday events, December is like no other month of the year. Particularly delightful are the parties which are given in someone’s home – and they deserve special attention to attire. I firmly believe it is a compliment to your host and/or hostess to dress up according to the season – which means Festive Attire.
When I am considering what to make (and wear) for a Christmas Party, I keep these things in mind:
1) It should be feminine – as in a party skirt or dress (not pants, with my apologies to those of you who prefer them).
2) If possible, all or some of it should be silk, that luxurious and elegant fabric which always makes a statement.
3) It should be fancy which leaves open many possibilies.
4) Something about it should be colorful – preferably red, the perfect hue for a bright holiday look.
So, how did I do?
The lace for the overblouse is from Mendel Goldberg Fabrics. I found it online this past summer. Although at the time, I did not know what I was going to make, it was an end-cut, so the yardage was ample. I figured I’d make that decision later. The red fabric for the skirt is a silk faille. I purchased it several years ago and had it in my fabric storage closet. Now I can’t remember what I intended to use it for; I remember when it arrived, I thought it was too stiff for whatever that was. I kind of despaired that I’d never find a suitable use for it, until I got the idea for this outfit.
I used the same overblouse pattern that I worked from this past summer for an eyelet blouse – and set to work on this incredible lace.
I made lots of changes to this overblouse pattern, but it gave me the basics I needed.
With two scalloped “selvedge edges,” the lace is very versatile. I underlined the body of the blouse with a lightweight cotton/linen blend, and then I lined it with silk crepe de chine.
Perhaps you can see the lovely detail in this small segment of the lace.
Here is an interior look at the silk lining sewn carefully to the armscye.
I used a tired and true skirt pattern for the red silk faille.
From Vogue’s Designer series, ca 1970.
Because of the stiffness of the fabric, I added about 1/8 of an inch to the side seams to give me a little more flexibility in movement, but now that it is finished, I really don’t think that was necessary. Even though the fabric is stiff-ish, it’s flexible – and I love the sheen it has.
With no construction photos to show you (too busy sewing to take pictures!), I have to be content showing you just the finished product.
Somehow I was able to cover all my “festive” criteria with this outfit: feminine, silk, fancy and colorful. I must remember this recipe for next year’s Festive Season.
fiftydresses 
You looked great in this outfit- a winner!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Nancy! Merry Christmas!
Love the lace and how it shows off over the skirt. Lovely duo and YES very festive. Enjoy the parties!
Thank you, Margene! It is a fun season for those of us who like to dress up!
Lovely!
Thank you, Emily!
What a gorgeous red that is, although I love the lace too!
I agree – the red is really a pretty, deep red – perfect paired with white – glad you like it!
Fabulous style and beautiful fabrics. Merry Christmas! Enjoy.
Thank you, Mary! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Great use of beautiful lace – and red silk! I like your use of luxurious fabrics on relatively simply lined patterns.
Beautiful, luxurious fabrics are worth what we have to pay for them – and so delightful to wear, too. Thanks of your comment, Heather!
I bet you “knocked their socks off!” Everything is perfect and beautiful! How lucky the hosts are to have you at their party 🙂 And….. I love another headband afficianado!
Well, we were the lucky ones to be invited to such a wonderful party – and I felt perfectly attired (even with my headband)!
Beautiful! As fabulous as that lace overblouse will be in other seasons it’ll never top how it looks over the red silk. I totally agree with your criteria. It’s part of our duty to the hostess and makes us easier to entertain when we don’t show up looking or acting like dull lumps.
I tried the lace over other colors, and you are correct, the red really is the perfect pairing for it (although I have more of the lace, so you might see it in another incarnation in the future). I certainly laughed at your “dull lumps” description! No, we don’t want to one of those!
Very pretty! You would by a compliment to any house party in your creation!
Ah, thanks, Linda! Such a sweet comment.
I can’t find words! Your outfit turned out beautifully and even the inside looks amazing! I really like your fabric selection and totally agree with your criteria!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, Kati! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Lovely party outfit! Your skirt is the perfect red for Christmas and the sheen of silk goes so well with candle lights!
It really is a Christmas red – I’m glad that came through in the photos. Merry Christmas, Marianne!
What a beautiful holiday ensemble! You have such a gift for bringing vintage patterns to present day fashion. Merry Christmas, Karen !
Thank you, Sarah! Merry Christmas!
You look beautiful in your perfect holiday outfit. Thanks for sharing your festive “recipe”!
Thank you, Jackie – and you are welcome!
That red skirt is the perfect Christmas color and wow, gorgeous lace blouse! Festive indeed.
Thank you, Jen – red is one of my favorite colors and it is so nice to have a great reason to wear it!
The lace over the red is very effective.
Thank you – I thought it would work well…
So beautiful. You make such lovely outfits.
A very beautiful outfit,so very festive,smart and lovely,,well done on every front.I really enjoy your blog,thank you for sharing…
Thank you, Pamela, for your kind words!