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2016 Update: Check out our latest discussion of our favorite online shopping apps! I get a zillion emails a day (seriously, it’s in the range of 500 or so) — but the one must-read email for me every day is my Salemail from Shop It To Me. I’ve written before of my love for the company and service, and that has continued, unabated. If you’re not familiar with Shop It To Me, here’s the scoop — you tell it which brands you like, and what your size is, what percentage of sale you want to know about (I’d say do 30% off if you’re building your wardrobe and buying a lot, but do something higher if you don’t want to be tempted so often! Mine is normally set at 60%, I think). And then you pick the frequency of the email — it can come as little as once a week, but I think I get the most value out of it when it comes daily. And then, pouf! Every morning you get an email that tells you what’s newly on sale in your size. It catches the special one-day-only sale codes, and it tells you when something’s Final Sale, right in your Salemail. They’ve also recently added a brilliant “search” feature where you can log in and see *everything* that’s on sale in your size (and not just what’s newly on sale). It’s nice that you can easily adjust the view in the search — only show me things under $150! Show me things only 30% off! Only show me belts, on sale, in my size! I’m actually signed up under 3 email addresses — one to watch for my sizes, one to watch for my husband’s brands and sizes, and one to watch for my mother’s brands and sizes. (Pictured: an example of a dress I recently found in my Salemail — Kay Unger Mini Check V-Neck Dress, was $200, now $120 at Saks.) The service can be particularly great when you’re shopping for one particular event (e.g., a holiday party) or a particular item (like a velvet blazer to go with your new party dress.) So when Shop It To Me reached out to see if we’d be interested in a giveaway, I jumped at the chance. And now, you can enter to win an item or outfit from your Salemail — up to a $150 value. Here are the rules: 1. Sign up for Shop It To Me, if you’re not already — you must be a SITM member to win. 2. Leave a comment about holiday party wear by Monday, 12/20, at 12 pm ET. If you’re already a member of SITM it could be which item or outfit you’d want from your Salemail, or — if you’ve only just joined — perhaps a general comment about holiday parties (what you’re wearing to your office holiday party, which party mistakes you’ve seen…). Please be sure to fill the “commenter form” in with the email associated with your SITM account (I do not recommend leaving it in the body of the comment itself). 3. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, 12/20! I’ve already pictured one of my favorite dresses above, but here are some of the other great pieces that have popped up recently in my Salemails, and might be my choice if I won…. I think all of them could be dressed “down” for a holiday party at the office (add a blazer, keep your hair and makeup normal) or dressed “up” for a friend’s holiday party (add dangly earrings, a smokey eye, some killer heels…) Back to Top
Lawgirl
I use SITM and it’s a sweet little shopping tool. For this holiday, I don’t have any invitations to really “fancy” parties, but when the right occassion rolls around, I’ll bust out my red patent slingbacks by Stuart Weitzmann and black studded Michael Kors dress… Oh yeah! http://bit.ly/g5YH0A
Vermonter-ette
Also just signed up – thanks for the info. Here in Vermont the challenge is to find the opportunity to get dressed up and semi-glittery. Sleek and dressy tops over jeans work well for most holiday parties – but I’m thinking it may be time to up the ante…
AB
I keep seeing all these adorable party dresses for “holiday parties,” including on Shop It to Me (been a member for a long time), but I’m a little confused. Maybe all of my friends are just degenerates, but we NEVER dress up for holiday parties. All my work-related parties are right after work, so I’m usually there in a suit rather than a cute cocktail dress. Please, someone, give me an excuse to buy a supercute party dress!!!
Samantha
I just signed up too. Our holiday party is late this year, and I’m looking for a versatile maternity dress that I can wear to it. I don’t want to spend too much on a one-wear dress, so I want something inexpensive, as well as something I can maybe wear even later. e.g. Something with an empire waist with gathers might look ok to wear even if not pregnant. Looking forward to getting some Shop it to me picks!
Amy
Love SITM! Although my budget doesn’t allow frequent purchases, the daily emails have been fun to browse (I signed up a couple of years ago).
I’ve attended 3 work holiday parties this year–all across the board from casual to black tie. I actually had the most fun with my outfit at the casual party in skinny jeans, a sparkly top, and killer pumps!
Happy holidays to all!
Alison
Just signed up and this looks perfect- LOVE having the sales come to me.
For holiday parties this year, I’m loving statement jewelry.
Maartje
I just signed up. We don’t have any invites to any fancy holiday parties this year, but I love throwing a dressy top over a great pair of jeans. I’m also loving the sweater dress with a fabulous pair of boots look for this winter.
Callie
I love Shopittome.com ! Right now I have it set at a very low threshold as I’m quite dollar poor but clothing rich and I don’t want to be tempted. But oh the after-christmas MLK sales… can’t wait!
As for holiday parties, I will not get anything new this year, but I’ll definitely be wearing my red christmas wrap dress. Looking forward to it!
pinkrobot
My holiday party was last week. I wore a black high waisted skirt, a blue ribbon belt, (matched my lapis lazuli pendant) a dark blue silk blouse, and silver pumps. The pumps were a terrible idea. :)
shopittome looks like fun. I can’t wait to see what it sends my way.
Boja
Holiday parties are where I will flaunt sparkly baubles! I love to buy big jewelry and look forward to those rare occasions when I can wear it. Baubles on stilettos pack the double-whammy!
EK
No official work holiday party for me this year, but my favorite co-worker (and new best friend) just invited me to a celebratory dinner at her place. I get to bring a bottle of cheap wine and wear whatever the heck I want. Glorious! I’m considering a sleeveless sweater dress over a turtleneck and tights, mostly because it is freezing cold here but I’m dying to wear a dress of some sort, but also because Kat keeps recommending layering things over turtlenecks and I’m… not really sure about that. ;) I’m happy to have a judgment-free space to try it out.
Nidhi
Hey i just signed up. I am hosting a small get-together at hoem for New Year’s so looking forward to wearing some cute dress- yet to buy it though!
Melissa D
I’ve been 9 months pregnant or just had a baby for the last few years — this is my first Christmas in a while where I have a normal body shape! Not sure if I am even current enough with holiday wear, but I love jeans with a sequin top. :-)
Jennifer F.
I love holiday parties because I feel like I can get away with a lot of sparkles and sequin dresses!
Bree
Holidays are good times to break out the sequined scarves. The best of both worlds — a little warmth and a little bling!
Eliina
Just signed up – looks like a great service! I dressed up my basic office-appropriate black dress with fun jewelry for an after-work holiday party last night.
SAJ
I just found your blog via the Little Pink Book email. Your writing is brilliant! Wish I had this advice at the start of my career. For the holiday party this year (our small group is going to a Christmas concert) I am wearing a dark gray wool pencil skirt with a slightly less matte paisely print that makes it cool and dimensional and a black turtleneck and tall black boots. (It is cold here.) My debate is what to wear over the sweater. Sounds weird, but I have a princess cut black wool pea coat that looks kind of cool with the skirt, and takes it down a notch for regular excursions, but might be too casual for this. I’d love an excuse to buy a fabulous fake fur swing coat, but not sure it’s practical…
Kathy
my favorite holiday party outfit is a dark purple silk mini dress that i wear with tights and a black cardigan, it’s warm and conservative but still kind of sexy because the dress is short.
Corporate Tool
I’ve been eyeing a pair of sparkly heels for a while, as I have a wedding to attend this holiday season, and I can’t really justify them otherwise. Here’s hoping!
WFM
For our office party I’m wearing black patent heels, black tights, a burgundy silk short skirt and a fitted white button-up.
Jessica D
Party wear this holiday season is all about the rich grays and luxurious textures. The little black dress can evolve into a little charcoal gray dress with a luxuriously soft real pashmina in a berry color, and black or dark gray leather boots. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! :)
LS
I just joined SITM but am on the hunt for cozy tunic-length sweaters and/or some winter dresses — not exactly holiday party wear but so be it!
Carla
My holiday party wear is usually a sweater with nice jeans or black slacks, or a sweater dress because we usually travel during the holidays and it’s easy to pack and mix and match. I also take holiday themed pins which I can only wear once a year and I don’t mind putting pins on sweaters. Have been with SITM for a couple of years.
Leah G.
My holiday party go-to outfit is a 3/4 sleeve black dress that I can dress up or down with accessories – big cuff bracelets, statement necklace, fun tights, colorful wrap… (but don’t worry – not all at once!)
S
I think a fun black dress can be great for a holiday party.
Anne
I am new to SITM and so far I want everything on their site! I am wearing a 3/4 sleeve BCBG dress to my company’s holiday party.
Kristina
The Office Holiday party this year featured a lot of layered looks and wrap dresses with sparkly heels. I chose to wear a red, gold and blue wrap dress that was appropriate but festive and comfortable (a sometimes overlook quality of a party dress).
Amy
I just signed up, with your link. I got the first email; looks good. I was surprised to see Juicy on sale so much though.
I wear one of my 3 dresses, all semi-formal, or a skirt and top to parties. Or jeans. Hey, im in college. I can pull off black jeans and a frilly top.
Susan
The last office holiday party I went to, in 2005 (and Thank you, Lord, for having the owner of our firm discontinue those parties), I wore a dark red sleeveless knit dress with matching coat, and a big necklace, which made me feel better about the whole ordeal.
Cheryl
I’ve been thinking a service like Shop It To Me would be really helpful, so I’m excited to find such a thing exists. Regarding holiday party wear, thankfully I do not have an office party, nor does my husband, so I am getting off easy this year. What I will be looking for on SITM will generally be suiting and shoes for work.
Kristy
A classic black dress can be perfect for a holiday party, especially with colorful, sparkly heels. I love to add a glittery necklace or bangles for that “put together but fun” look! Happy Holidays!!
shallotry
My holiday party wasn’t a dress-up occasion, but the trend among the women was to debut a new or old favorite. I pulled out my favorite cold-weather office outfit for the first time this season, a long, bias-cut, lined wool skirt that’s been tailored flatteringly (worn with tall boots, top, silk scarf.) My colleague pulled out a soft grey cashmere cardigan with some low-key sequin frou-frou that she had been saving for the right day.
Hannah
I love SITM, it spread like wild fire my first year of law school. Who can blame us, it was much more amusing than Litigation Basics. I just used SITM to find something adorable for the holidays – a loose green velvet blazer with a sash bow – perfect for when its oh so cold outside.
Mara
One thing that has always puzzled me about holiday wear for women – it’s cold outside and yet the party dresses are always skimpy. How’s a girl to stay warm!?! I know a big coat helps outside, but it’s not really part-ish to wear a scarf and gloves while mingling at a holiday party.
R
My holiday party outfit: long red cashmere sweater, black pants, burberry check flats, and long silver-beaded necklace.
Carly
Black skirt suit with red shell and black pumps. Its about as festive as i’m comfortable w for the holidays!!
Franny
My friend and I swapped dresses for a holiday party this year. It was like having a whole new party dress without the cost!
A
My judge throws a holiday party at his house for his clerks (current and former), staff (current and former), and their families as well as his friends. It is a jeans and sweater kind of event and I love the informality of it all. This year – I might have been a little more informal than I intended in jeans and a turquoise Banana Republic top that was quickly covered in my three month old’s spit up. I can’t wait until I can wear grown up clothes again without having to worry about massive dry cleaning bills!
Jennifer gersch
i subscribe and love a warm brown dress and a chic red bag
Jessica
I’m a new member. Browsing the website just made me wish I had more holiday parties to go to. . . sadly, there haven’t been enough. But I’m looking for a black velvet blazer and a pair of tall boots that are both waterproof and party-worthy.