Happy Hour: The World of Sparkling Red

photo c/o wine-searcher.com

I am not a oenophile.  Not by any means.  I only drink champagne or wine that’s mixed with something else (fruit, sugar and Brandy, for example).  But last week, I was ordering vodka packaged in a skull-shaped bottle to decorate my bar, and decided to order some sparkling red wine as well.

I’d heard about it, but never tried it.  Given my love of sparkling whites, I wanted to see if I would like the red as well.  And I’m happy to report that I like sparkling red even better than Prosecco or Champagne.

Which is great, because it’s significantly cheaper.

I purchased the Mionetto Il Lambrusco sparkling red for $13, and it was delightful.  Even my friend K–who only drinks wine and is serious about her whites–loved it.  And last summer, The New York Times declared Lambrusco, a type of grape often used in semi-sweet, fizzy reds, the perfect wine for summer.  Maybe I’m behind the times, but I’m just glad to have found my new, favorite (inexpensive) drink.

But what to wear when drinking bubbly wine at home?

Rachel Zoe Vincent Skinny Maxi ($295)

Now that I’m self-employed, I struggle sometimes with what to wear.  When I have meetings or lunches, and on the days when I go to my shared office space, I wear my fabulous professional clothes and feel like a contributing member of society.  But for the first few weeks of working from home, all I could think to wear was leggings or jeans, and we all know that I.am.not comfortable wearing pants that often.

Enter the long-sleeve, jersey maxi-dress.  It’s like a nightgown, but a chic one that you can wear in public without drawing the wrong kind of stares.

If the price of this Rachel Zoe makes your eyes pop out of your head (it is pretty though), check out this $98 dress from KamaliKulture. I also like this v-neck, faux-wrap from LA Made.  Or you can go with the maxi-dress leader, Rachel Pally, who makes this slightly less-expensive Stormy dress.

Still too rich for your blood?  Prefer something that costs less than your cable bill?  Try this dress from Old Navy.

Plus-size?  Try this Merona 3/4 sleeve maxi.  Petite?  Go for this Loveappella dolman sleeve dress that comes in several lovely colors.

I wear my dresses with belts, both wide and skinny.  I also like them with sandals or flat boots (ankle boots would be nice).  And I plan to add a long, chunky cardigan when the weather turns chilly.