The arrival of the holiday season can only mean one thing, time to celebrate!

Whether you are headed to a party with your regular crowd, old high school friends, or even just family, you want to be dressed to impress. Instead of rolling up in an ensemble of red and green, consider some other festive alternatives. Not that tacky sweaters aren’t hilarious and all, but these parties will be a great opportunity to showcase your personal style and have some fun. It’s the ideal time to incorporate decadence and glamour into your wardrobe.

Your keyword for holiday parties should be rich, and I don’t mean that as in expensive. Colors should be saturated and fabrics interesting. A great trend to try is the use of jewel tones. Going back to the predictability of red and green, try out the similar, yet more sophisticated, jewel tones of emerald and garnet to create an outfit that is displays your Christmas spirit without screaming about it. Emerald cords, which can currently be found at J Crew, would take center stage in an outfit of neutral accents like white, cream, grey, and navy. Similarly, try pairing a boring LBD with garnet suede pumps to add spice. Other jewel tones like sapphire, amethyst, and topaz are also great options that add class without being obvious. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box too, jewel tones don’t have to be found solely in your outfit. They look great on nails, and the colors are made by virtually every brand of polish.

-Sparkle and Metallics, with balance.

A sparkly mini goes from cute to over-the-top when you add in a jeweled or glittery top or heels; Disco balls were only hot in the 80's. Instead, balance your sparkly skirt with matte black tights, black patent heels, and a solid colored shirt or blouse that’s stylish without being in your face.

The key is to create a focal point, not something for the rest of your outfit to compete against. Silver and gold are your best bets, but if you’ve got a lot of confidence and personality, don’t be afraid to try out fun colors too. With anything outfit you’re considering, save the more dramatic amounts of sparkle and shine for New Years.

-Wear Winter White.

This can be tricky though, because you don’t want to come off looking out of season. Make sure that any white you select is of a heavy fabric and has a bright snowy appearance. White shoes are a definite no. White can be a bold move, but if you rock it right, all eyes will be on you.

Basically, have fun in your holiday attire! Pile on jeweled bangles, carry a fabulous velvet clutch, perk up your pout with daring red lips, just whatever you do remember that it’s all about celebration. And what better way is there to celebrate than by being fabulous?

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