Great style really evolves from great basics, without the proper building blocks, your outfits aren’t going very far. We all know the frustration that hits when you’re faced with a wardrobe full of clothes, with absolutely nothing to wear. How is it possible? Because you don’t have the right basics to work with! Once you’ve grabbed yourself a few classic pieces, you’ll find that you’re never left with nothing to wear again. What are these elusive, life-saving items, you ask? Read on to find out…

A perfect pair of jeans

Yes, the perfect pair of jeans is tricky to find – but not impossible, promise! The key is to have a direction whilst you’re trying on, that way you’re not going to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice. Try and stick to slightly relaxed fit straight leg cuts that either taper slightly or kick out at the ankle. Next, wash, you’ll want to stick to either a mid-wash or dark-wash for maximum wearability (light wash is a little 2002). Finally, the waist, a mid-rise or high-waist style is usually the most comfortable and flattering. If you’re really having a tough time of it, you can always buy a style that you love and recruit a tailor to make them fit like a glove.

Straight fit, lightweight chinos

These are always going to come in handy, whether you’re heading to the office, on a night out or you’re just doing your chores, a straight fit pair of chinos will be your friend. Stick to a lightweight twill cotton in black to keep your chinos appropriate for every occasion. A mid-rise style that seams just above your ankle will work best.

Crew neck tee-shirts

White, black and grey crew neck tee-shirts can come with you everywhere. Layer under suits, camis and slip dresses or wear alone with jeans, chinos, mini, midi and maxi skirts. Look for high-quality, thick cotton in a slightly oversized style. Wide sleeves will bring a touch of 90s cool to this classic cut.

A block colour turtleneck

A turtleneck is a cold-weather and eveningwear essential. Choose a close-fitting style in cotton (for warmer climates) or cashmere (for colder). The colour is absolutely up to you, black is a classic, but cream, white, grey, pink or yellow are all beautiful options to consider.

A-line leather skirt

No wardrobe is complete without a little leather (or pleather) in there somewhere! A leather skirt is a great addition, it works for office hours, evening wear and weekends. The A-line cut is the most universally flattering, it cinches in your waist and falls in a flattering shape. Whether you’re more of midi or mini kind of dresser is up to you! Wear with tees, button-ups and jumpers, all year round.

Cashmere jumper

We all need a cosy jumper, no matter where you live! Choose a soft cream or camel tone in a relaxed, crew neck fit. This can be paired with skirts, denim, statement pants and layered over your favourite slip dresses.

Oversized button-up

Everyone should have a loose fit white button-up shirt in their wardrobe. Wear with pants and pencil skirts to the office, skirts for evening out, shorts and denim for the weekend and even open over your swimmers at the beach.

Tailored blazer

A tailored blazer is that style staple that lots of people are reluctant to invest in at first, but once you grab one you really won’t know how you lived without it. Look for an expertly tailored, wool-blend jacket in a grey herringbone or solid black to complete your closet.

Men and women all around the world take inspiration from celebrities or fashion icons who set the trend and the items start selling like hotcakes. The leather jacket is one such popular clothing article due to its classy appeal and the tough attitude that it exudes. If you ask a man what the one must-have article in their winter wardrobe is, the answer would be a leather jacket. A classic clothing item, Leather jackets have been worn by many including celebrities and fashion icons all over the world.

Initially popularized during the rock and roll era of the 40s, leather jackets became a staple winter wear for men after the Hollywood icon James Dean and yesteryear’s singing legend, Elvis Presley. Presley was known for his leather ensembles, especially the motorbike style black leather jackets he wore during tours and concerts. Tom Cruise popularized bomber leather jackets when he played the character Maverick in the 80’s classic Top Gun. Famous Hollywood actors Dwayne Johnson, Bradley Cooper and Justin Theroux have worn stylish leather jackets in their most successful movies. And who can forget Michael Jackson’s famous red leather jacket?

While being comfortable and easy to maintain, leather jackets never go out of style. That’s one of the main reason for their undying popularity amongst men. But most of the good things in life are either expensive or rare, so is the leather jacket that is curated out of 100% pure leather. While brown is still the most popular leather jacket colour, they come in all sorts of colors and a variety of styles including racer, varsity, biker, fatigue, moto, bomber etc. Fur collars add an edgy twist to the classic style and make for even comfortable and warmer clothing option for winters.

Famous brands such as Outfitters Pakistan, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Saint Laurent, Dunhill, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, AllSaints are some of the most popular names known for their durable leather jackets for men. Their jackets are claimed to be curated out of 100% pure full-grain leather. The versatile garment is adaptable to any outfit and would make the wearer appear however they want to. You can wear a leather motorcycle jacket with a pair of washed-out blue jeans and it will add a grunge essence. Unleash the rock star in you by donning a stylish black leather jacket paired with leather pants and chunky boots. Or simply wear a moto-style red leather jacket to channel your inner Thriller.

No matter what style you choose, leather jackets are here to stay and the premium quality leather variety will last a good 20 years if taken good care of. Just make sure not to stay out in the rain for too long while you are wearing your leather jacket. Though the premium quality leather jackets are water-resistant and close fibred, the longer they will be exposed to moisture, the more the risk of damage. Wipe your jacket dry as soon as you get home to ensure durability and eliminating chances of damage.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, which means there are sure to be plenty of gatherings with your friends, family, and colleagues. To ensure you are looking your best for all your calendar invites, read on for the five steps for getting holiday party-ready.

1. Refresh your hair. 

There is no better time to give your hair a refresh than before the holiday party season. If you have been looking for an excuse (or extra motivation), then your social calendar should be enough to convince you to book the appointment. This is the time to treat yourself to a hair treatment from the best hair treatment salon in Dubai (or wherever you reside). 

One of the most popular hair treatments for this time of year is a Macadamia Hair Treatment as it works effectively for rebuilding and enhancing the health of your hair. Plus, it is suitable for all types of hair, even hair that has been color-treated. Another popular option is an Olaplex Bond Enhancer treatment as it restores weakened hair caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage. This type of hair treatment will leave you with stronger, shinier, and healthier hair. 

2. Plan your outfits. 

The holiday season is the perfect time to wear pieces that are full of texture (velvet, leather, jacquard) and that come in deep jewel tones. It is also essential to have a couple of statement jackets, party shoes, and accessories that you can mix and match with your party outfits. 

For your office party, consider wearing a black turtleneck bodysuit, a pleated midi skirt in a jewel tone, heeled booties, a simple clutch, and gold earrings. For a date night look, pair your favorite high-waisted black jeans with a satin top, block heels, and a velvet headband. Lastly, for an evening soiree, wear a satin midi dress with knee-high boots, a long wool coat, and a velvet bag.

3. Get a manicure and pedicure. 

There is no better feeling than looking down at your hands and toes and seeing them beautifully done. Getting a manicure and pedicure makes you feel ready to conquer the world and is a fantastic finishing touch for any party outfit. This holiday season, consider choosing a gel manicure or semi-permanent nail polish as these will last the longest. 

When picking colors, think about what you are going to wear to your social gatherings and choose a shade that will complement your holiday wardrobe. Alternatively, you could opt for a holiday-related design or more sophisticated embellishments that can see you through the New Year. Swarovski crystal nails are another fantastic option as they take glamour and luxury to the next level. The result of this kind of nail design is stunning and guaranteed to bring you a lot of compliments!

4. Focus on your brows and lashes. 

Your brows help accentuate your eyes and shape your face, which is why you want to focus on achieving an aesthetically pleasing look. When filling in your brows, make sure you are applying the product in small flicking motions to ensure you are creating tiny hair-like strokes. Additionally, you want your eyebrows to end at a spot that lifts your face up and out – overextending the tail is likely to cause a droopy effect. 

Just as important are your lashes, especially if you want your features to stand out in the inevitable party photos. For this reason, it is recommended that you try the best eyelash extensions in Dubai. NOUVEAU Lash Extensions are the best on the market because they not only produce high-quality results, but they are also the “healthiest and safest” professional lash system available. By having lash extensions, you don’t have to worry about topping up your mascara each day or messing it up while you are having fun. Simply roll out of bed looking gorgeous!

5. Update your makeup bag. 

This is the time of year when you want your makeup bag to be filled with sparkly and glittery make-up products. You want to look as glowy as possible! One of the best ways to achieve this look is by using a shimmery highlighter that can be placed around the corner of your eyes and across your cheekbones. For the ultimate glam look, dust the highlighter on your nose and brow bones. 

Other essential holiday party makeup products include a smudgy pine tree-colored eyeshadow for a sultry eye look, a berry matte lipstick, and an emerald, scarlet, or teal eye-liner. If you are wearing a more dramatic outfit and want to keep your makeup simple, consider wearing a pretty yet subtle nude pink lip gloss to balance the look. Also, dramatic metallic eyeshadow looks fantastic when paired with nude lips and a dewy face.

How do you like to get ready for holiday parties? What are your essential products or treatments? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comments below!

AUTHOR BIO

Hillary Kozma is the Owner/Managing Director/Creative Director of Kozma & Kozma Salon. Having built the foundation of her skills with an apprenticeship under a direct protege of Vidal Sassoon, Hillary and her husband opened Glow American Salon in Qatar in 2007 before expanding to Dubai as Kozma & Kozma in 2016. Hillary is hailed by the media as a “pioneer in her field” for introducing new talents, concepts, philosophies, and techniques to the Middle East.