Dress to Impress

High-end Dallas consignment boutique decodes holiday dress codes

For as long as people have been hosting holiday parties, their guests have been wondering what to wear. There might be a clue included in the invite, but the nuance packed into that single line stumps most soiree attendees.

Luxury consignment boutique Clothes Circuit can help, not only in decoding what the missive means but also in procuring exactly the right outfit to wow your fellow partygoers. It has several racks devoted to "after 5 pm" looks, which will all go 30 percent off beginning on November 26.

Located at 6105 Sherry Ln. in Preston Center, Clothes Circuit has been aiding the stylish women of Dallas since 1983. At any given moment, savvy shoppers can choose from 500-700 different brands and close to 12,000 pieces. From Gucci to Chanel and Christian Louboutin to Jimmy Choo, the brands are top-tier and incredibly sought-after. Currently, there are more than 4,000 active consignors, meaning the inventory is constantly being refreshed and updated.

Here are some of the most common dress codes explained, so you can show up confident and ready to party.

Black tie
Break out the baubles and ball gowns. This is the dressiest option you'll encounter, and it's a chance to show off your style at its most glamorous. Floor-length gowns, sparkly cocktail dresses with bigger jewelry, and dressy pants suits with heels are all acceptable. A perfectly fitted black gown does a woman wonders, especially if it's crafted with sheer embroidering.

Cocktail
If you're tired of wearing a LBD to every occasion, try spicing things up with a jumpsuit. It's a fun, edgy, and feminine way to be creative with your look. Add a pump with a unique print for extra pop.

Festive
It is the holiday season after all, so expect this catch-all term to turn up everything from snowman sweaters to red and green glittery gowns. If themed clothing isn't your thing, have fun with your accessories instead.

Casual chic
Elevate your everyday look and get party-ready quickly with a statement necklace or ankle bootie. Don't forget to add accessories that complement your look.

Outdoors
Yes, some events are held (at least partially) outside — you can thank Texas' mostly temperate weather for this. Layers are key here, so make sure your outermost covering is your most chic. Take care when choosing your scarves, coats, and sweaters, and don't be afraid of fun and festive color.

Get your party pants ready.

Photo courtesy of Clothes Circuit

Get your party pants ready.

Thrifty shopping

Massive Goodwill store in Garland reopens as 2nd largest in the U.S.

Photo courtesy of Goodwill

The Goodwill in Garland is the largest in Texas.

A major expansion has made a Garland Goodwill store nearly the largest of its kind in the country. Goodwill Industries of Dallas officially reopened its "Broadway store," at 451 W. Interstate 30 #100, on April 30 after a major renovation. The new-and-improved store is twice its previous size.

According to a release, at 31,000 square feet, the Broadway Store and Donation Center is now the largest Goodwill in Texas and the second largest in the U.S.

The expansion will significantly boost inventory turnover. According to the organization, the store will introduce about 10,000 new items daily, including clothing, home goods, and accessories. At that pace, inventory cycles through the store roughly every four weeks, they say.

“Our newly expanded Garland store sets the gold standard for Goodwill in Texas — not only as our largest location, but as our most operationally complex,” says Tim Heis, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Dallas, in the release. “Turning out 10,000 fresh items every single day requires a tremendous, coordinated effort behind the scenes to make sure our shelves are always stocked with new finds."

The reopening comes amid "explosive growth" in the resale sector, Goodwill says. A 2024 report from ThredUp found that the U.S. secondhand market grew 11 percent in 2023 (growing seven times faster than the broader retail clothing sector) and is projected to reach $73 billion by 2028.

“As consumers are increasingly turning to resale for its affordability, unique product variety, and positive environmental impact, the new Garland store redefines what’s possible — every visit promises one of the widest, most frequently refreshed selections anywhere in North Texas,” says Joel Ibanez, vice president, Donated Goods Retail.

To support its larger retail footprint and meet demand, Goodwill Dallas has also expanded its donation network, they say, opening new Donation Express locations in Frisco, Plano, and Lantana in recent months and bringing the total number of donation drop off locations in North Texas to 52.

The Garland store includes a drive-up donation center, and additional sites are in development across North Texas, they say.

"Over the past two years, Goodwill Dallas has experienced record-breaking performance, earning recognition as the top performing Goodwill in the country for two consecutive years," they say in the release.

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