10 best holiday dresses

Believe it or not, it's that time of year again. It's time to dust off your dancing shoes and prepare for another festive season. If you're shopping for something new to wear to your holiday events, then heed a fashion pro's advice before you hit the malls. Robin Keeler, fashion director at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre, offers helpful tips for finding your perfect holiday dress this year.

"Designers are currently having a love affair with dresses," says Keeler. And for every body type, she says, there is a flattering dress. "A fitted garment reveals the form of the body while loose garments disguise the shape underneath." But no matter what, nothing makes a dress look richer than a great fit.

Holiday dresses 2008/2009: The styles
This year, dresses remain strong, says Keeler. The looks are classic and confident, harkening back to times gone by.Drawing inspiration from dresses from the '50s and 60s, 2008 holiday dresses have a retro flair but are updated with modern touches, details and embellishments. "Styles are curve-conscious and ultra-feminine," says Keeler. "Think fuller skirts, classic lines, refined."

Holiday dresses 2008/2009: The trends
According to Keeler, short, knee-, mid-calf- and full-length dresses are all on trend this season. "The most popular length will be just above or just below the knee," she says. "This length seems to complement the majority of women. However dresses will go from the floor right up to mid thigh."

Popular fabrics run the gamut from silk and satin to chiffon, crepe and organza -- the usual holiday suspects. And when it comes to colour, Keeler says elegant jewel tones, shimmering metallics and claret red will all dominate, however black is still a party favourite.

Click to continue to the little black dress and 7 dos and don'ts for finding your best holiday dress...

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