‘Tis the Season…

With holiday parties soon approaching, I’m focused on curating a small capsule wardrobe for these upcoming festive occasions. It seems that every day I mark a new event on my December calendar, which has spurred a small collection of outfit ideas and a mental list of 5th Ave sales I need to hit. I already own the staples – velvet dresses, sequined skirts, and cashmere sweaters. So as I shop for holiday party steals, I’m not necessarily looking for the trendiest items. I’m looking for something a bit different. More romantic pieces with hints of whimsy, garments that spark conversation and interest, and most of all, I’m looking for pieces that stand out in a sea of black, silver and gold.

And when I say “pieces”, in this particular instance I mean separates. One fabulous outfit that I recently fell in love with features two of my most-loved statement separates this winter, both from Alice + Olivia. This pair of wide leg tomato-red trousers is something that I can wear all year round, but has found a happy home among my metallic and seasonal holiday tops. They can be dressed up or down, but for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, you know I’ll be going all out. This outfit features a romantic, lightweight blouse with gold embroidered details and a hidden placket. The subtle, pleated balloon sleeve nods towards trendy, but this top would ultimately be considered a classic staple piece (which is why I had no qualms paying full price.) Still at full price, it’s a great deal on a beautiful garment that I know I’ll wear on multiple occasions. Can you imagine how cute it would be dressed down with jeans and booties?

While I usually focus on one statement accessory, this roundup includes a few head-turners. ‘Tis the season, right? I’ve chosen a delicate gold choker, a few shimmering hair clips, gold stacked heels, vintage fur, and an acrylic clutch. In order to wear multiple accessories like this harmoniously, take a good look in the mirror before leaving the house. Make sure that no one item is competing with another, and that the outfit flows from head to toe. While the fur is a statement all its own, the plushness is nicely juxtaposed by peeks of shimmering jewelry and hair accessories. The heels are a thoughtful styling choice to draw the eye from the gold of the blouse all the way to the shoe. For more conservative dressers, opt for one spot of gold or just a few dainty pieces of jewelry. But if you’re anything like me, I believe a little extra glitz and glamour around the holidays never hurt anybody.