A history of Viola

In its arsenal of chic wear, SM is proud to have a new player. Viola boasts of ever-affordable and oh-so easy-to-wear party clothes, perfect for those festive “ber” months!

In anticipation of the season, we asked Viola designer Anne Bichelmeir for some tips on choosing the right party dress.

“When choosing the color of your cocktail dress, you should keep in mind that during the summer season, floral prints, light pink, sky blue, pale green and yellow, as well as other pastels, are appropriate. For end-of-the-year events, jewel tones, black and black-plus-color blend cocktail dresses are quite flattering,” Anne said.

Here are other tips for party dressing:

• Dark colors are slimming, no matter what your body shape.

• Dress in proportion to your height. Long tops, jackets, skirts and dresses swallow petites, while cropped tops and short skirts and dresses further emphasize length on exceptionally tall bodies.

• Use jewelry and interesting necklines to emphasize the upper body and draw attention away from the lower body.

• Wear your clothes; don’t let them wear you! If you’re constantly fussing with your clothes, then your clothes are wearing you. Your outfits should be carefree and stress-free.

Remember that it’s all about style. Cultivate your own style. If your personal style varies from what you’ve read here, if you wear it with confidence, your inner beauty will shine through.