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Save or splurge: 10 party dresses for the holidays

Looking for something to wear to the Christmas or New Year's party? Check out 10 great party dresses, perfect for the holiday season.

By Natalie Bahadur

It might seem hard to believe but, yes, it IS that time of year again. The holidays are here and with it comes everything from shopping and baking to decorating and entertaining. This is the busiest entertaining season of the year so it's no surprise if you've got lots of parties to attend between now and the first of January.

Dressing for holiday parties can be tricky. Baby, it's cold outside but you probably don't want to wear bulky sweaters to your big holiday 'do. Wearing a pashmina or shawl is key to pulling off the holiday party dress. These simple accessories not only keep your shoulders warm but also add elegant style to most any outfit.

Not sure what's hot for holiday parties? Lara Ceroni, the editor of ElleCanada.com describes some of the season's trends. Not surprisingly, an elegant black dress remains a year-round favourite and this season is no different.

Basic black
"The black dress is an absolute necessity in any woman's wardrobe because it's so timeless and effortless to pull off," says Ceroni. "Think of it as a blank canvas that you can play around with -- using accessories -- to suit your own personality."

A black dress is so effortless, she explains, because of its unparalleled flexibility. You can wear a black dress almost anywhere and easily transition it from office-wear to something that's appropriate for a cocktail party.

Festive red
Wearing red is another favourite for this year's holiday season. "Red is such a statement and is very trendy for the holidays," says Ceroni. A vibrant shade of red can be ultra-sexy, she says. If a bright cherry red is too bold for you, she suggests opting for a red that's more saturated in colour; think blood red or burgundy.

Sparkle and shine
And last, but certainly not least, sparkled fabrics and sequins add a festive flair to any holiday outfit. But these shiny details can look overdone, so choose your colours wisely. A sequined dress in a neutral colour (black, grey or taupe) can look quite classy, whereas sequins in bright, bold colours can lean a little to the trashy side.

Ready to shop? Click here to see some of the best party dresses for the 2007/2008 holiday season.

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