December 9th, 2009 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Your Parent’s Holiday Party: Your mom really wants you to come and your dad will say something encouraging like, “Mom really wants you to come.” So you’ll make the trip home and expect your parents dorky college friends and stuffy work friends and friends of the family. Make no mistake. This does not, by any means, give you free reign call it in on your holiday party look. You have no idea who could be at this party. You might find it uncool to drink hot mulled cider and break into numbered groups to sing “The 12 Days of Christmas” around the piano, but anyone could be here—someone with a great job connection, your high school nemesis whose parents just moved into the neighborhood, a boy you used to have no interest in turned hot, successful man with a scruffy beard and an M.D.

In terms of your look, this is your parents’ house after all, so you don’t have to get decked. Strive for casual elegance. Try a graceful silk blouse under a blazer, paired with dark skinny jeans and a structured boot. This look is clean and current and beautifully feminine with a slight yet sexy masculine influence. Get ready to order a letterhead that starts with “Dr. and Mrs.”

Hot Party Tip: Watch out! Hot mulled cider is stronger than you think. If you find that suddenly your singing ability is much improved from what it’s been your entire life, it’s time to put down your mug and hand over the ‘Five Golden Rings’ part to your Aunt and Uncle.

(The Shoe: The Corso Como ‘San Jose’ ($219))