Holiday Fashion Hacks (Accessorize Like a Pro Stylist This Holiday)

Peeking in your closet and think you’ve got nothing to wear to that cocktail party coming up in a few days? Think again! It’s time to hack your holiday wardrobe and come up with a remix of festive favorites. Steal the spotlight with a new twist on the classics that you probably already have in your closet.

Here are a few ways to put the punch back in your party clothes by giving them a shot of new life:

Think like a stylist.

Modern dressing is all about mixing unexpected details. This holiday season, pull together some unusual separates that you rarely wear together. For a casual party, dress up your jean jacket with a furry scarf, long tunic sweater and velvet leggings with thigh-high boots. For a dressier occasion, rock a vintage vibe with a menswear tuxedo jacket, white lace bow blouse, skinny jeans and cowboy boots.

Don’t be predictable.

If your party go-to is always a little black dress, think outside your dark side and stand out in living color…red is the color of the year and the holiday season. Black and white are always one of the season’s best classics, but a brilliant teal blue or forest green that is worn head-to-toe is another way to do the remix this holiday season. And if you’re really brave, how about wearing all white to a cocktail party…just be sure to stick with white wine!

Go for texture.

This is one of many fashion stylists’ secrets and easy to remember when putting together new holiday outfits. Make sure all your pieces are a different texture — you wouldn’t wear a leather jacket with a leather vest with leather pants and boots…now would you? Hopefully not, unless you’re arriving at your destination on the back of a motorcycle. Otherwise, mix velvets with leather; satins with tweeds; knits with chiffons.

Experiment with prints.

If your party wardrobe is very limited, this may be the way to go…wear your basic black pants and tops and then layer on the printed patterns…whether it’s with a metallic animal-print wrap or a tapestry floral jacket. The under layers will disappear and your statement prints will make your outfits seem not so “every day.”

Indulge in embellishment.

Another way to remix your old favorites — think ruffles, feathers, fur, beading or brocade — there are lots of ways to get a little exotic with your holiday party clothes. These fashionable flourishes will even jazz up jeans. And why not go for the glamorous touches…maybe not all in one outfit, but you get the picture. If not, see above tip about texture and being clad in all leather.

Work it with accessories.

Holiday time is the perfect time to go all out with accessories. Here’s where you can really shine — think metallic-flecked tights with an LBD, heavy metal cuffs with your sleeveless sheaths, drop-dead chandelier earrings with a messy updo and artsy clutches dripping with jewels. Shoes can also make a festive appearance in strappy metallic sandals, velvet smoking loafers (so comfy) or embroidered ankle boots. Cowboy boots with a sequin sheath, anyone? Again, restraint is key…not all the bling piled on with one outfit…after all, you’ve got to ring in the New Year, right?

Mixing textures is a great fashion hack for updating party clothes. Shown: Holiday fashion pieces from H&M.

To find out more about Sharon Mosley, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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