Getting Glam: Our Favorite Party Dresses and Tips

We love any excuse to glam it up and this time of year calls for plenty of party-ready options! When picking out a perfect holiday party dress, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Make Sure It's As Functional As It Is Cute

Try sitting down in the dress in the dressing room to make sure it's not too short or pinches in spots. (I.E. That cute sequin number that called revenge on your underarm) 

Be Realistic & Keep Comfort In Mind

Set yourself up for success whether you are rockin'a'round a christmas tree or counting down to the new year. Ladies--make sure your outerwear and shoes can keep up. Keep your heels at a 2-3" maximum or opt for a wedge or higher vamp. If you have a sleek new pair break them in BEFORE the big night and consider packing along a back-up pair of flats for the evening. Same goes for jackets- keep a scarf or wrap in your coat pocket or tied inside your sleeves and utilize coat check.

Add Instant Glam With Sparkle

This is the one time of year where you can really go all for it with some sparkle and shine. If sequins is not your style and you prefer a LBD, play up your jewelry with a statement necklace, glitter clutch or oversized chandelier earrings.

Still Looking For The Perfect Party Dress? 

Here is a link to some of our favorite party dresses for all ages and body types.

Stay Styling,

M&K

Photos by Kelsey Johnson

Outfit details: Black crochet dress (similar here and here), Endless Rose tiered ruffle sleeve sweater ($78), Maje leopard clutch (similar here), Burgundy suede pumps (similar here).

Our Favorite Places To Celebrate The Holidays In SF

Photo by Kelsey Johnson

San Francisco is known for it's ability to capture the heart of many a visitor, however any local will tell you that it's especially true during the holidays. Here are some of our favorite places in the city to celebrate the magic of the season.

1.) The Palace Hotel- It wouldn't be the holidays without our traditional Team Canvas martini at The Palace Hotel. We love sinking into their comfy couches on a cold night, surrounded by lights and toasting to the season.

2.) The Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread House- Every year they transform their lobby into a winter wonderland with an amazing two story edible gingerbread house and giant tree. After walking through the main house, stop off at the mini-house for animals that's just as adorable.

3.) The Nutcracker - A San Francisco classic, since it made its original US debut here. We love the Victorian scenery and magical performances that are great for kids and kids at heart. Care to gift a child in need a ticket? Here's a link to make a donation to the Enchantment Fund.

4.) Window Shopping at Macy's Union Square- Forget the clothes, we fall in love with the adorable (and adoptable) kittens and puppies who bring Macy's holiday windows to life every year. We dare you to walk by and not want to take one home! 

5.) Play It Hot and Cold -Our city is a foodie paradise and there are many fun options for holiday sweets. Here are two at the top of our list this year:

Hot Cocoa At Dandelion -Warm up on a foggy night with hot cocoa at Dandelion Chocolate in the mission or at the Ferry Building. Don't skimp on the handmade marshmallow.

Bi-Rite Creamery - If your sweet tooth hasn't gotten enough, we are big fans of Bi-Rite Creamery's Seasonal Flavors. Sample them all at their Mission location--and don't miss our favorites --the Candy Cane and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Cheers,

M&K

Holiday Sparkle: Megan's Take on Office to Party Chic

How Go From Work to Holiday Party Chic

During the holidays, often times we find ourselves getting ready in the morning wondering what we can wear that is work appropriate but still cute enough for a holiday event. It's actually a lot easier than you think! Kimberly and I have become pros at transitioning from day to night in a few short steps.

Find Your Core Pieces

The first thing you want to do is find the holiday statement piece for your outfit. In this case, I picked my gold embroidered J. Crew pants from last season and toned them down with a simple gray cashmere sweater from Uniqlo. For a day of meeting clients, I wore my metallic flats that are comfortable and easy to get around in, but still add sparkle. 

Amp Up For Evening With Accessories

Accessories and makeup are the easiest way to transition any outfit from work to a night out if you are tight on time. To amp up my work outfit for a holiday party, I swapped out the flats for black patent leather heels, added gold tassel earrings and went for a bold red lip for a pop of color. The best part is that all of the pieces I needed for an outfit change were small enough to fit in my work bag (I also slid a clutch in there to use as my evening bag).

Pro tip: Don't be afraid to mix silver and gold tones. They are fun any time of year, but especially for extra "sparkle" during the holidays.

Outfit details: J.Crew pants (similar here), Uniqlo cashmere blend v-neck sweater ($39), J.Crew tassel earrings (similar here) J.Crew gold bracelet ($19), BCBG metallic flats (similar here and here) 

Just add your favorite holiday cocktail and you're ready to go!

Stay stylish,
K&M

Photo Credit: Kelsey Johnson

Menswear Part 2: Dressing Up For Date Night (Or Your Holiday Party)

Our special menswear series continues! Now that we are full-swing in holiday party mode, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some basic tips on what every guy should have in his closet as an easy "go to" look for dressier occasions or a date night. 

Start With a Great Shoe

A good shoe is the foundation of every outfit. It's also often one of the most overlooked pieces with men. We recommended picking out a nice leather dress shoe or boot that is comfortable and says something about your personal style.

Button Up Doesn't Have To Mean Buttoned-Up

Dress shirts have come a long way over the years. Just because you opt for a button up, doesn't mean it needs to look (or feel) like a work shirt. Opt for something with a little bit of texture that's a good fit with your body type. Pro tip: most men are wearing their dress shirts a size too big.

Find Your Statement Jacket

Oh so many options! From a blazer to bomber, stock your closet with at least one jacket that is a good option for dressier occasions. Find something that feels true to your own personal style. Balance the look with some great black or dark denim.

Seldom Seen Outfit details: black denim (in-store only), Our Legacy First Shirt ($175), bomber jacket (similar here), ETQ Amsterdam Chelsea Boot ($305).

A special thanks to our friend/SF everyman, Kyle for sporting the look and Daniel for capturing it!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Our Favorite Gifts That Give Back

Yesterday Megan and I shared with you our segment on KTVU Channel 2 featuring some of our favorite gifts that give back. We were only able to show a portion of our top picks for gifting this year and wanted to make sure we got to share them all.

Here is a link to our Pinterest Board with the complete assortment and product information.

Happy Gifting,

M&K

If you missed the segment, here is the clip from KTVU

Sharing The Joy On KTVU Channel 2 News!

Last week Megan and I joined the Morning Team on KTVU Channel 2 News. Watch us talk about our favorite holiday gifts that give back locally and globally below.

From Work to Play: Casual Holiday Party Dressing

The Compete Look: Parker Cape, Black Turtleneck Sweater (similar), Prima Mid Rise AG Jeans, French Sole Animal Print Flats and a vintage bag.

Let's Breakdown Casual Chic Holiday Dressing

It's the time of year when we start getting questions from clients about what to wear to holiday parties. In SF, that usually means rushing from the office to a gathering with no time for a complete wardrobe change.  

Choose Holiday Transitional Pieces That Are "Everyday" Easy

Go for a statement piece that can feel "festive" without standing out in your office and can mix easily with your wardrobe. Megan and I love this red plaid cape from Parker for its versatility. Check out our Pinterest Board here with some of our favorite alternatives and the Parker Cape (which is currently ON SALE).

Combine Holiday Pieces With Your Everyday Wardrobe

Photos by Kelsey Johnson

For day, we played down the cape with a black turtleneck sweater and flats. To dress it up, swap out the top for something with a little sparkle (like this Rebecca Taylor Silk Blouse I found for a steal at Saks Off 5TH...similar) and add a heel. Two quick changes and you are party ready in a snap!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Last Minute Tips for Hosting The Best Thanksgiving Ever

Is it just us, or did Thanksgiving completely sneak up this year? Whether your hosting a house full of family or opting for a Friendsgiving instead, My Domaine created the ultimate guide to hosting an unforgettable event. 

Tips include offering guests a themed cocktail upon arrival, laying low on the appetizers so that they don't take away from the main meal, and creating personalized placecards. Most importantly, enjoy the day with loved ones!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Casual SF Menswear Style Decoded

The Everyday Cool Guy

To kick off our series on SF Menswear essentials, we decided to start easy. What are the key items every guy should have in his casual wardrobe? The outfit below sums up our answer-- focus on fit, keep it comfortable and most of all, make sure it feels like you.

Start With Great Denim

Every wardrobe starts with a great pair of jeans. Once you learn the brand(s) that fit you best, the rest is easy. For a casual daytime look, we like a lighter distressed wash. Then switch to a dark wash for evening or work (more on that later). Make the jeans your own - cuff them, roll them, add a belt.

Add a Focal Piece or Personal Element

Most jeans are pretty standard, so add in a fun print, a design detail or some texture to add interest to your outfit. We instantly fell in love with this modern camo button down. It's playfully cool, incorporates color and can be worn several ways (layered or solo) .

Layering Is Key

The secret to dressing for San Francisco weather is layers! Not only are they functional from a temperature perspective, they create variety and add interest to an outfit. Think of the Rule of Three--to add interest to any look always have three items. A jacket, scarf, cool watch or stylish shoes will add depth to a pair of jeans and shirt. Also--Most guys naturally run warm  so pay attention to the fabrics you choose (do they breathe, are they bulky?).

 

 

Outfit details (all from Seldom Seen): Earnest Sewn Dean Liberty Skinny jean ($220), Mason Kitsune Landscape Military shirt ($265), Maison Kitsune Parisien tee ($85), Black Demin jacket (available in-store), Han Kjobenhavn Smith Black sunglasses ($180).

Stay Stylish,
K&M

New Series: Menswear for the Modern SF Guy

Do You Work With Men?

One of the most frequent questions that we get when people meet us is what the breakdown is of our male and female clients. While it is fluid, men make up around 40% of our total clientele. They're an eclectic and fun group that ranges from men in tech looking to up their style game to finance professionals in need of a formal work wardrobe. 

Style Essentials for the Everyman

Since we typically focus our blog on women, this fall we are writing a series devoted to basic menswear needs in San Francisco. Follow along over the next few weeks as we share the three key looks every guy (or menswear loving gal) should have in their wardrobe and how to make it your own (all from Seldom Seen in Hayes Valley). And stay tuned as we make menswear a more regular topic on the blog.

A special thanks to our friend/SF everyman, Kyle for sporting the looks and Daniel for capturing the images so crisply and allowing us to take over the Seldom Seen shop for an afternoon.

Seldom Seen is celebrating their first birthday (HBD!) this weekend with three days of events. Make sure to stop by for some champagne, shopping and fun!

Stay Stylish,
K&M