Special occasions call for dressing in a special way. Whether you're in search of a great new cocktail dress or you just want to give your jeans a more festive touch, we all want to look our best, especially during the holidays. That calls for wearing clothes that fit the bodies we have. That's why Stacy London and Clinton Kelly — hosts of TLC's "What Not to Wear" — promote "dressing in the present."

In other words, instead of worrying about squeezing into another tight sheath dress after enjoying a Thanksgiving feast, take a breather and think about your wardrobe in a new way.

"What we've learned is that looking good now will help you feel better later," says the dynamic duo whose latest book "Dress Your Best" (Three Rivers Press) features different body types of 26 women and men; it delivers valuable fashion advice for dressing your body the way it is in the present, not after you lose those 10 pounds.

"We've seen in hundreds of times," says London. "Don't wait for what may or may not change about you in the future. You are perfect now."

So now that you're pumped up and ready to attack the buffet tables, here's some tips from London and Kelly for guys and gals who want to look great for all those holiday parties:

FOR THE GALS:

— First and foremost, a tank dress with an A-line skirt is a universally flattering silhouette, regardless of body type. It is particularly flattering for a bustier body type, as it allows for a thicker-strap supportive bra. Anyone who tells you a woman with a larger chest should dare to go strapless should be locked up.

— When wearing black and white for evening, try clear jewelry: rhinestones, crystals or diamonds. Clear stones are eternally chic; they don't compete with the bold contrast of black and white.

— Love that sleeveless dress, but feel self-conscious about showing your upper arms? Try a wrap. Some now come with sleeves, but make sure the wrap doesn't compete with the pattern of the dress.

— A pointy-toe shoe with a kitten heel is perfect with any hem length. Who wants to look like they're walking on stilts?

— Metallic shoes are a must-have in every closet for evening — but don't be afraid to wear them during the day.

— A beautiful color is a wonderful option for cocktail hour rather than the ubiquitous black. If you have pale skin, go with lighter colors; darker skin, go with brighter.

— When trying to detract from the midsection, think about wearing your hair up for the evening. Add some chandelier earrings to lengthen your neckline.

— Try mixing textures for a sophisticated evening look. If you are wearing a dress with a sheen, put on a flat wrap or coat. Or vice versa: Choose a dress with no sheen and top it with a metallic brocade coat or one with sparkly embellishment.

— While trends come and go, black never goes out of style. You can always pair a black dress with a brilliantly colored pair of shoes or a bright color bag. But sometimes just black — a black dress, shoes and bag — looks perfect.

— Embellishment (beading, sequins, rhinestones) on clothing has been very popular the last few seasons. We feel a couple of decorated pieces for evening are a staple of any woman's wardrobe. They're always useful for a little "bling" and quite often negate the necessity for additional jewelry.

— Only have a few pieces you like to wear for evening. Make sure they fit as well as possible. Then change them up with fun accessories, such as shawls, wraps, vintage costume jewelry and fabulous shoes.

FOR THE GUYS:

— If you're doing evening wear in a situation where a tie is not required, add interest to your outfit somehow, whether it's with a patterned shirt or pocket square or both. A solid, open-necked shirt with a suit can look fine but dull.

— Make sure the color of your belt matches that of your shoes. Match your socks to your trousers, not your shoe. But when you're wearing jeans, you can match the sock to the shoe.

— Velvet is a luxurious option for fall and winter. When mixing it, you need to do so with similar-weight fabrics like denim, wool or more velvet.

— The tuxedo jacket is a chic option for nighttime and creates a streamlined look. Try wearing it with a striped shirt and a dark wide-leg jean for a modern, casual look.

— For a casual evening event, leave the jacket open when wearing an untucked shirt. Keep the shirt untucked but be careful with the length. Any lower than the bottom of the crotch and you might look like you're wearing a dress.

— Never button the bottom button of your suit jacket.

— Avoid the "catalog" sweater at all costs. You know it when you see it: Man and woman sitting in a ski lodge by a roaring fire, sipping cognac, wearing chunky (usually red) sweaters with big snowflakes and/or reindeer. Not only is it the male equivalent of the snowman-applique holiday sweater worn by many a grandma, it's universally unflattering — especially for barrel-chested men. The last thing you need is a humongous, patterned sweater adding bulk to your upper body.

— The topcoat is a wardrobe essential for dressy occasions. Buy the best one you can afford and think of it as an investment in style.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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