. . . for late lunch dates and last-minute meetings, it’s been mostly chic & messy topknots, and sometimes, even, a classic chignon — but as the holiday invitations begin to pile up, something a little more sophisticated is in order for those elegant dinner parties filled with sparkling crystal champagne flutes and conversations that last long after the crème brulée has been served — and of course, the perfect solution is the always lovely side chignon . . .

{images: martha stewart weddings via hip hip gin gin; instructions via martha stewart weddings, with the exception of step number 6; numbered image sequence composed by this is glamorous}