Darcy Camden is back to answer questions about styling tips, dress code, lounge wear recommendations, and more.
Q: My fancy New Years Eve dress is sleeveless and kind of short. Is there a stylish way to make it warmer so I don’t freeze?
A: Yes! This is an opportunity to style up your dress in a new way and add more festive sparkle. You want to add layers without covering up too much of your great dress, so start with a thin turtleneck UNDER the dress. Then, instead of tights, go for comfortable and warm fleece-lined leggings (they are amazingly warm!!). Finally, skip open shoes for a pair of walkable and warm over-the-knee boots. Still need a layer? Add a velvet blazer. BONUS: you can wear this dress again without all the layers when the weather is warmer and it will look totally different.
Featured turtleneck ($17.99, H&M)
Featured blazer ($149, ZARA)
Q: My husband and I are invited to a formal wedding and the invitation says “Black Tie.” Does he need to wear a tux or can he wear a nice suit?
A: Without a doubt, “Black Tie” means “People are going to be very dressed up, and you should dress up too.” So BRING IT! I always say that a GREAT suit is better than a BAD tux, so if you’re standing in your closet the night of the event and deciding between a 10 year old tuxedo that is covered in dust and may or may not fit or a newer, nice suit, go for the suit! If you have time to shop, and want to put together something new and special for this event, you could do something just as dressy (and more stylish!) than a basic tux or suit for under $150. Start with a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt, which most guys already own. Add a textured blazer, black tie and pocket square. Stylist tip: the right shoe really brings this together, you want something lace up—not a slip on!— that has a little bit of shine to it.
Featured blazer ($55.80, Macys.com)
Q: I’m planning to spend my entire holiday vacation lounging at home, and I want to treat myself to some stylish and comfortable loungewear. Any recommendations?
A: Same!! I’m all about loungewear these days, and I’m happy to report that sweat sets (aka matching sweatshirt and sweatpants) are VERY on trend. My favorite comfy sweats are by a brand called Richer Poorer. Simple, comfy, no logos. I also love to be wrapped in a blanket when I’m lounging, so I like to wear a blanket poncho (also called a Ruana). And I want shoes that feel like slippers, so I’m excited that Allbirds made a super comfy wool slip on, called—perfectly!—Loungers.
Featured sweats ($68-$78, Richer Poorer)
Featured ruana ($25, Universal Threads)
Featured shoes ($95, Allbirds)
Q: What is a stylish gift idea to take to a hostess who doesn’t drink alcohol?
A: I love to gift a glassybaby. They’re $50 handblown works of art. So chic, everyone loves them, and they’re local to Seattle—plus $3 from every sale goes to charity. I have been delighted to find men love them just as much as women. I love that there’s a glassybaby right at SeaTac airport, sometimes I forget to pack a gift, and I can get one there! They take up almost zero space in my suitcase. And they come wrapped! Done and done.
Segment Producer Heidi Eng. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.