Local Boutiques Flaunt Metallics, Zebra Print for Holiday Dress

The holidays are a time for giving, but that doesn't mean that a personal shopping trip in December is out of the question.

Many women can attest that the quest for the perfect holiday dress can become a therapeutic retreat from the stresses of holiday madness, and Oakmont boutique owners have been experts on the subject for years.

"A lot of less expensive retailers are really stepping it up with evening wear," said Bridgette Cunningham at , a nonprofit consignment store selling designer clothes and accessories whose proceeds go toward Bethlehem Haven, a Pittsburgh women's shelter.

"You can get a great cocktail dress for twenty bucks," Cunningham said. "Before, that wasn't really an option."

Many women prefer dresses over separates because they're easy to accessorize and require a smaller purchase, Cunningham said.

Cocktail dresses, traditionally lacking in creativity, are now available with long sleeves and with geometrically interesting cut outs in the back, she said.

"A lot of great styles are coming out, and they're cuter than ever."

Vintage-inspired pieces have been popular for years, but local shops haven't seen the trend fade at all.

People are always looking for a really unique outfit that's going to stand out and, according to Cunningham, going vintage is a great way to do that.

If someone is looking for separates, Cunningham suggested mixing evening wear with casual influences.

"Pair a really great sequin skirt with just a simple denim button-down," she said. "Wear it with red lipstick, and you're set."

Carol Kinkela at prefers separates over dresses, but finds that most of her customers are really just searching for something original.

"People are looking for something special that no one has seen before," she said. "Something you just can't find at the mall."

Kinkela suggested that buyers should look toward the new year when buying holiday outfits.

"Put a jewel-tone silk top over a pair of skinny black pants."

Women can accessorize with metallics for the holidays, but the outfit could be transitioned to any season, she said.

Accessories aren't the only place Oakmont retailers are seeing metallics this season though.

Catherine Ferris at is excited about metallic elements showing up in some unexpected places, like in animal prints. She said that many people have been interested in an eye-catching, iridescent zebra print jacket.

If you're not ready to take the plunge into lustrous animal print, however, you're not limited to costume jewelry.

"If you're going with a basic black dress put in a shot of metallic with a handbag and shoes that are accented with sequins," Ferris said.

Of course, there's no reason to get stressed or overwhelmed by color and sparkle, she said. There are always styles that work.

"Black is always in."