Liz! So sorry to send you into orbit! I pointed out the look velvet can have to save you from frumpy disasters, not to say anything about your taste (or Maria's). As has been said, a velvet blazer can be a great way to dress up an outfit- I completely agree with that. And sparkly or shimmery tanks, clutches, and shoes are wonderful accents that add a festive feel to holiday outfits. Above all else- dress in what makes you comfortable and feel GOOD about how you look. The biggest way to avoid frumpiness is to buy clothes that fit and flatter. And wear them with confidence! You've got a lot of great tips here. Have fun trying them out and go with what makes you happy!

Meanwhile in the real world, women are continued to be murdered in Darfur...

Yes, Bethesda. But you're obviously lost. You can read some really amazing stories about the conflict in Sudan in other places, like here. It is possible to be interested in a variety of things ...

For understated elegance and comfort I love a cashmere sweater in rich jewel tones adorned with a vintage crystal brooch, pair with a skirt and high dressy boots or drapey wool or velvet trousers.

Also try velvet jackets in rich jewel tones -- Talbots has a nice selection -- to pair with black.

Instead of straight velvet try a sheer flocked velvet jacket or top to layer over a camisole, or a flocked velvet dress. These can have a beautiful vintage look.

A tailored silk blouse in emerald green, ruby red is most festive but also consider sapphire blue, bright fuschia, royal purple as alternatives that don't scream 'christmas tree.' Also, gold, bronze or silver fabric can be quite elegant.

A wrap or empire style dress would flatter most female figures, and a velour fabric is just a tad bit less dressy and formal than velvet.

Please no 'holiday' jewelry -- snowmen, trees, etc. -- wear timeless festive pieces of costume or fine jewelry instead. Colored gemstones (real or fake), crystal, pearls, diamonds, gold & silver never go out of style and can raise the wattage and glamour of anything you wear.

That goddawful christmas theme music is really just a ploy by advertisers-maybe even with subliminal messages embedded in the songs themselves-to buy more stuff.

You can NEVER go wrong with a black dress, Audrey Hepburn proved - the famous Givenchy Breakfast at Tiffany's dress is being auctioned off this month for what is anticipated to be a staggering sum. That dress could go to any party today. My rule of thumb - if Audrey wore it, chances are it will be appropriate for any day and age.

Wear black velvet if you want... why let the comments of someone on the web dictate what you do? If you think you look good, then you look good.

I think frumpy is a matter of fit, not fabric or color. Just make sure that what you purchase (or already own) really flatters your body. Take that friend of yours along with you to shop if you're feeling insecure about fit.

If you can sew, you can always put darts in just about anything to improve the fit. Likewise, some seams can be let out, if you're going in the other direction (like I did after two kids...and 40).

Just be careful. One of the popular styles this year is the wide cumberbund around the middle. If you're thick there, the extra fabric will make you thicker. Luckily, there are a lot of empire waists and wrap dresses, which flatter many body types.

As a last resort, wear your best-fitting neutral outfit and grab the most colorful scarf you can find to wrap around your sholders. Instant glamour.

First of all, if anyone likes to have a good time and dress well, it's me -- BUT wear black velvet, wear a tutu -- if you want . . . but the other responders are right -- with all the crap going on in this world, and we're worried about this stuff? HOW do we shut off our brains and awareness that BAD things are happening in the world . . . as we merrily go on our ways . . . and WHO are these people that probably already have the classic white shirt in their closet???

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