NEW YEAR'S EVE 2020 OUTFIT IDEAS FOR OUR HOUSE PARTIES.

This time of year is usually peak season for "party clothes". For a few frenetic weeks schedules are packed with holiday soirées, family gatherings, festive dinners, and New Year's Eve events, for which it suddenly seems imperative to own an array of velvet maxi-skirts, backless jumpsuits and sequined mini-dresses. And I have a confession with which my readers have already been acquainted: I'm always prone to partaking in a raging New Year's Eve extravaganza set in fantastic luxury hotels abroad, so glam dinner or all-night Champagne-filled parties are actually my thing! This year, due to the well known hopeless travel and social-distancing situation, let's forget it!

Anyway, since I consider too depressing the idea of ringing in the New Year wearing sweatpants, even if we are all globally compelled to stick to home celebrations, I'm seriously considering a few NYE's outfit ideas to start 2021 off on a more stylish note. With shopping reining in their spending on clothing during the pandemic, many brands which have made party dresses their calling card, this is the last hurdle in a challenging year, so they have focused on their most affordable styles as they develop upcoming collections, still hoping for a future for fancy dresses. So, elegant kaftan dresses, crystal embellished knitwear, velvet flats or mules, delicate sparkling jewels are some of the season's most popular picks, and perfect for hosting or attending intimate gatherings at home without losing the excitement to dress up again, even if in a much more relaxed way. 

Of course, if the allure of a bedazzled ensemble is exceptionally strong right now, but we want to keep on a budget, we can dust off some of our most glittery separates and strut our apartments in them, pretending we have somewhere fantastic to go. As to Italy, where I live, the presence of guests at home will be limited by a curfew starting at 10 pm, our party-time in a formal attire will be limited too. Never mind! Whatever we wear for our big nights in, our festive outfits are full of much more promise than we expected, and we are all eager to celebrate the end of this horrific year by way of glam outfit options.

So, ahead, the three "avenues" we can explore for our night in with our quarantine buddies to keep the party spirit more alive:

1) Full Glam: if we are some of those who believe in starting a new year off on a positive note, anyway, what's more uplifting than a sparkling dress / skirt + fluffy sweater that makes we feel great? And let's not forget to add a pair of heels to wear for at least an hour to set some good intentions for 2021, and throw on some glowy makeup!

2) Happy Medium: if we prefer to find a high-low stylish balance, a combo of soft denim + a sequin vintage cardigan is really calling our names. And if we think we'll be padding around the house, we can skip stilettos, and opt instead for luxury slippers/sneakers.

3) Full Comfort: Why not end the year with the comfort-focused theme that defined it? Luckily, 2020 fashion saw the rise of some pretty fantastic loungewear and cosy sets, so a more low-key look can still be deceptively chic, especially if accessorised with simple gold hoops with strass or swarovsky studs to be downright festive.

Anyway, if we don't find any satisfactory pieces in our closets, let's not forget that everybody likes to treat themselves, so buying a little sparkling additions, since we aren't going on holidays, is kind of like buying a ticket to our next fantasy. 💭🎇🎊 Waiting for better times to come...

FRENCH-STYLE GIFTS FOR MODERN WOMEN: LOUIS VUITTON'S B BLOSSOM JEWELLERY COLLECTION.

When it comes to gifts from my dearest ones, it's renown they want to make sure it will be an investment I'll wear for years to come and good enough to pair with just about anything in my closet. But that doesn't mean the decadent pieces shouldn't feel of-the-moment and decidedly modern, so that I'll reach for them day after day this season. Louis Vuitton's B Blossom Fine Jewellery collection manages to do both, with beautiful pieces that are guaranteed to make any outfit bolder now, and probably forever.

When you take a look at this fine, timeless jewellery collection, you may seem something you recognise. since it features the iconic star-shaped flower that's found across the monogram. the timeless floral design, created by Georges-Louis Vuitton in 1896, adorns the luxury jewel pieces, for lots of glittery, elevated glamour from every angle.

The stunning collection was inspired by modern women and includes pieces that range from bauble-shaped rings, oversized charm bracelets and cuffs, pendant necklaces, and dangly earrings, all of which are practically made for stacking and layering (here, less is not more). And like Louis Vuitton's timeless monogram print, they're simultaneously contemporary and classic - so they're totally worth the investment. And though the design may be bold, they're not overly ornate. In fact, each piece is simple in essence, with geometric shapes like spheres and squares complementing the modern interpretation of the Louis Vuitton star-flower for a playful effect. But the high-shine metals of yellow, pink, and white gold, and the luxurious materials including pink opal, white mother-of-pearl, onyx, malachite are what take these statement pieces to the next level.

One of this year's birthday present was a pair of dangly B Blossom earrings in yellow gold, which feature the floral motif in mother-of-pearl & small diamonds within yellow gold squares, paired with one of the collection's modern charm necklace, a yellow gold iteration with the same square design. Apart from dying for wearing both of them them immediately, I'm certain I'll go on wearing them for a long time, since their ethereal neutral hues are a passe-partout which will instantly elevate a basic ensemble of a skirt and a blouse, but would do equally well worn to a black-toe event.

Was this little peek enough to convince you to invest in a new piece or two for your own jewellery collection, or include them in your own Christmas wish-list? Whatever your answer, keep scrolling to see my wonderful new additions, and head to Louis Vuitton's site for the whole line.