Renee's Guide to the Holidays- Part 1: Thanksgiving

I suppose it's that time of year when everyone and everything starts heading in the direction of "the holidays." These days it seems as though we skip right past Thanksgiving and jump straight from Halloween into Christmas. There is so much hype and build-up with Christmas that by the time you realize you need to think about New Year's Eve, it's too late and you end up in the same LBD as your sorority sister's wedding two years ago and the most sparkly accessories in your closet, regardless of whether or not they are an appropriate choice.

I don't want this for you, so I'm going to try to do a fairly-regular guide to the holidays, hopefully covering all the major fashion and style-related issues. If in the meantime you realize you have a question about dressing for a particular holiday situation, please don't hesitate to leave it in a comment or send me an email. I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have!

Alright, now that the introductions are through, let's get to the nitty gritty. Although the marketing companies may skip right over it, I'm not going to- Thanksgiving is a big event for most people, and for some it might be one of the few times they get together with their extended family. It's important to look good, just in case your obnoxious aunt who is forever comparing you (your career, your love life, your apartment, your car, etc.) to her daughter. At the very least you can look amazing while she grills you and then tries to make you feel inferior. Maybe you don't have an obnoxious aunt- maybe your family members all get along and genuinely enjoy each others company- it won't hurt to look amazing for all of them, either!

The key to dressing for Thanksgiving is comfort in the mid-section. Let's be honest, if we could all wear a pair of stretchy pants (a.k.a. sweat pants) to the dinner, we'd all be much happier, right? Well, the good news is- we can! Well, maybe not straight-up go-to-the-gym or lounge-around-the-house-on-a-Saturday-morning kind of stretchy pants, but the next best thing for sure. The key to Thanksgiving is leggings. I'm sure you already own at least one pair, so get 'em out and then survey your closet for a nice, but comfortable dress. I'm partial to the empire waist style with a gathered skirt and a bit of stretch to the fabric. Jersey is often a good choice, but far from the only one. (NOTE: Jersey doesn't always equal casual and cheap-looking. Silk jersey is quite refined.) The key to selecting your dress is to pair structure with stretch. Stretch doesn't have to mean an elastic waistband, either. It can simply mean a full or gathered skirt- anything that will offer you a bit of comfort when you're full of turkey and all the fixin's.

Once you've got the leggings and the dress worked out, you're practically done. Finish the look with accessories to bring out your personal style and finally, a pair of killer high-heeled boots. Why heels? They'll look amazing, for one. Second, you're not exactly going to be on your feet all day, so why not? And besides, shoes fit no matter how many helpings of mashed potatoes you pile onto your plate.

Need some more inspiration? Check out this look:

Thanksgiving by Rtboo featuring sleeveless dresses

It's effortless and chic, but still put-together and appropriate for a "grown-up" event like dinner with the relatives.The leggings and the loose fit of the skirt allow for an extra bit of whipped cream on your pumpkin pie, but because the silhouette is structured, you'll still look slim and trim even on the biggest eating day of the year. I like the idea of using amazing accessories to wow the crowd, too. Smoke and mirrors, ladies, it's all smoke and mirrors. Put together an outfit that is thoughtful and well-accessorized and the relatives will be none the wiser. There will also never be that embarrassing moment when you need to loosen your belt a notch or two, or (gasp!) unbutton your pants.

Happy Turkey Day!