by Paige Zeller

Created on: December 11, 2009   Last Updated: December 12, 2009

It's the holiday season! Time for candy canes, gingerbread, Christmas cookies and those tacky, frumpy holiday-themed sweaters that make you look like you've been eating that way all year. In order to avoid the plethora of holiday fashion disasters, follow the simple tips below, the Practical Girl's Guide to Dressing for Holiday Parties:

Rule 1: Know Thy Occasion

Are you going to an office party? A party at a friend's? Do you plan on eating or drinking to excess? Playing Twister? Take a moment to look not only at what kind of party you're going to be attending, but at the activities you will be participating in. Remember, a fitted waist is only good through your third plate of cheese puffs and pigs-in-a-blanket.

Rule 2: Less Is More

You might think the light-up Christmas headband and the sparkling eyeshadow is festive, but more likely you just look like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. Unless you really have the personality for it, most of the over-the top holiday accessories are just distracting and tacky (and if you do have the personality for them, I can assure you that most of your friends and co-workers want to strangle you on a regular basis, Ms. Perky, so you might not want to draw too much attention to yourself). Stick to a traditional Santa hat or better yet, just wear something red or green.

Rule 3: White Is for Snow, Not You

While that winter white dress may look fantastic on the rack, and maybe even look fantastic on you after a week and a half of starving yourself, it's probably not a good idea for any party at which there will be food and drink. You may be careful to not get anything on the dress, but Bob the Lush from down the hall is sure to trip on the carpet and dump his full glass of wine on you.

Rule 4: Dress for Success

Ultimately, most holiday parties are for networking amongst both co-workers and friends. You may want to wear something more conservative than sexy for an office party, but you should try to look your best wherever you go. A nice dress really works no matter where you are and can carry you through from the office to the evening as long as you stick to solid colors and traditional fits.

Just make sure you have both heels and flats to match because, after your fifth class of eggnog, the sexy three-inch stilettos are going to turn into a not-so-sexy twisted ankle.

So, whether you're stuck at an office party or enjoying yourself at a friend's, just take a moment to think about the spandex content in your dress and the flats you have in the trunk and remember that you're ready for any challenge the holiday season has to offer.

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