Fashion Dress in The Present

Going out

Yes, even in party season™, sometimes you just go out for dinner with mates. What to wear? Fashion has got this covered – see the return of 90s classic, the jeans and a fancy top. A staple of after-dark dressing around the time Mariah Carey released Heartbreaker and three inches of exposed stomach were de rigueur whatever the weather, it’s back this season, endorsed by Vogue and seen on the catwalk at Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen.

Rest assured, no midriff is required these days. Instead, you’ll want a high-waisted mom jean, as seen on Victoria Beckham. She wore hers with a band T-shirt, but you can be a bit jazzier than that – it is nearly Christmas, after all. Think shiny fabric, a feather trim or, to really nod to the late 90s moment, a sequin cami and pair of wedge sandals. LC

Going out or going out-out? Coordinate your outfit with your social calendar this party season

Going out used to mean just that: going out. A few drinks after work. Something hot, wrapped and sauced on the way home. Stinging flashbacks the next day. It was a simple time: you’d switch shoes in the loo when work was done, line your stomach with a pint of milk and head aimlessly into the night. But going out has changed and the going out spectrum has grown – clubs may be closing, but alternative parties and venues are opening in their place. Even the festive office party has become a high-profile event, filtered and shared with unfettered abandon on social media. Language about going out has changed accordingly. Now you have the option to go out, go out-out or – on say, New Year’s Eve when proper partying is law – even, out-out-out. And there’s a world of difference between them.

The history of the phrase “going out-out” is up for debate. Some cite the Robert Frost poem Out, Out–, a meditation between death and life. Some talk about Macbeth whose speech after the death of his wife – “Out, out, brief candle!” – was a comment on the futility of life. Others look to 2009 and comedian Micky Flanagan’s skit on the difference between going out and going out-out which started a legal spat over intellectual property, when the directory enquiry company 118 118 used the phrase in an advert.

Us? We’ve been going both out, and out-out-out, for years – we just never had the vocabulary for each. Now that you do, it’s time to have a bit of fun with what you’re wearing, to rethink your approach to sequins and outerwear after-hours. Whether you’re after a post-work pint or are committed to the straight-thru-crew, let your wardrobe help you. MF

The Winter Coats Petites Always Look Amazing In

BY: ALEIS PAXRENTE

All we want to do is wrap ourselves in the biggest, warmest parka we can find, right now. But for women 5'3'' and under, that's almost never an option.

The heavier and bulkier the coat is, the more it will look (and feel) overwhelming on a diminutive frame. With that thought in mind, we pooled together 12 coats, grouped by four petite-friendly styles. Not only are they chic, but they are also as warm as they are flattering.

Keep scrolling see the best coats for petites.

Ashley Nell Tipton Launches Highly Anticipated

BY: LASHAUNA WILLIAMS

There's something about Ashley Nell Tipton. She has mastered reality TV on Project Runway, mass market collaborations with JCPenney, and creating a style all her own. And that's not all.

VIDEO: Plus-Size Date Night Looks Inspired by Ashley Graham

We've been waiting for this talent to launch her own namesake collection and finally, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived! Tipton just launched her own private label including a variety of pieces that will mesh well with your existing wardrobe. The 14-piece collection includes essentials such as bodysuits and shirtdresses. But for those who want a bit more edge, there's something for you, too.

RELATED: Ashley Nell Tipton Just Made Customizing Your Fall Wardrobe a Lot Easier

Think sheer full skirts, graphic dresses, and of-the-moment biker shorts with lace trim (perfect for layering underneath daisy dukes or minidresses). Also be on the look out for three eyewear styles and 24 (yes, 24) wide-fit jewelry pieces. Everything ranges from $24 to $99. At that price point. you may want to splurge and buy several pieces.