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Article posted: 12/15/2012 5:00 AM

There’s detective work to do for party dress codes

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A cashmere wrap cardigan sweater and black sequin miniskirt makes a stylish statement for a party.

Courtesy of Ann Taylor

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A model wears a white sleeveless blouse and black cigarette pants.

Courtesy of Ann Taylor

About this Article

The holidays are often a highly social season that provide a good reason to wear the things you might not often have the occasion to pull out of your closet: sequins, a fancy red dress, the sexy black one. But should you? Or will everyone else be wearing their cozy cashmere sweater and favorite riding boots? "People don't know how to dress anymore — it's anything goes, which is a huge problem," says Marie France Van Damme, a fashion designer and author.