H O L I D AY G I F T G I V I N G2 0 0 3

H O L I D AY G I F T G I V I N G2 0 0 3

Inside:Holiday fashion gets jazzed up

with glittering accessories

Inside:Holiday fashion gets jazzed up

with glittering accessories

Inside:Holiday fashion gets jazzed up

with glittering accessories

H O L I D AY G I F T G I V I N G2 0 0 3

H O L I D AY G I F T G I V I N G2 0 0 3

By Paula L. Molino

This holidayseason, look like a million buckswithout spending it!

A simple black dressgets jazzed up withchandelier earrings(these from Saks), and bejeweled bag.

In a season of spending, how do you jazz up your holiday wardrobe with minimumexpense? That dress or suit hanging in your closet might just be your next party attire when outfitted with the right accessories. A wisp of a shawl or a twinkle of an earring can transforman otherwise plain ensemble into something sensational.

Take your basic black dress. Worn alone, it tends to get boring in a sea of black frocks.Sure you can add the classic strand of pearls and black pumps for that simple and elegant look . . . but it’s not terribly exciting.

Yet, watch heads turn when that same black dress is jazzed up with sparkly gold jewelry and strappy sandals, topped with an elegantly embroidered gold silk wrap.

Accessories can make or break an outfit. How do you know what accessories achieve that pulled together look? Putting the right components together should be done in the order of which you dress:

1. Choose your main clothing;

2. Select shoes and bag;

3. Choose jewelry, belt or scarf;

4. Decide on hair;

5. Choose cover-up.

The secret to a beautiful holiday outfitstarts and ends with accessories. Nowis the time to bring out the glitz andglamour, from sequined handbags todripping rhinestone necklaces.

Rhinestone-studded sandals from Annie Shoes.

14 ’Tis The Season www.packetonline.com

Once your outfit has been selected, an eye-catching pair of shoesmight be the only accessory needed. Party shoes have never beenmore alluring in satin and velvet fabrics, barely there strapsencrusted with beading, sequins and rhinestones from brands suchas Nina, Bandolino and Enzo Angiolini. Slingbacks and pumps insheer fabrics make an elegant statement.

Movie-star quality bejeweled shoes come in sandal and mulesilhouettes. Rhinestone straps with dangling pendants are like atiara for the foot. A ruby red shoe can add sizzle to a black velvetdress. Metallic shoes and bags add sparkle in fashionable silver,gold, pewter and bronze.

High heels make legs look longer. Silky pantyhose add shim-mer and sexiness. Sheer black hosiery flows best with black out-fits, while barely there skin tones complement other colors(such as a red dress). Open toe shoes insist on sheer stockingswith pretty pedicures. Evening shoes at department and spe-cialty stores range from $50 on up.

Dressy outfits desire a streamlined evening bag. Lady-like clutches are retro with wristlets which have the size andfeel of a clutch but easy to carry with small straps that slips over the wrist.Evening bags are a great accent piece and depending upon the fabrication (brocade, satin, velvet, sequin, beaded, metallic) start as little as $20. It’s a smallinvestment for a perfect finishing touch.

The first consideration for accessorizing depends upon the gar-ment. The cut and color of the clothing is most important. Simplesilhouettes such as a scoop neckline sheath dress can carry dramat-ic accessories. Styling that has ruffles, bold patterns, or excess detail-ing need easy accessories so as not to detract from the style of thegarment. The key to accessorizing is to remember that less is more.Concentrate on one central piece as the focal point.

CONSIDER THE GARMENT

Add pizzazz to your holiday ensemble with embellished bags, above right, from Priorities for Her, Newtown, Pa., (photo by Frank Wojciechowski), and above left, from Eziba.com.Shimmering slides (above) from Casual LivingUSA.comand embroidered purse, left, from Eziba.com.

20 ’Tis The Season www.packetonline.com

Diamonds, rhinestones and gemstones add sparkle to any outfit. Trendsinclude vintage styles in rhinestone, marcasite, jet beads and iridescent facetedbeads like grandma used to wear. The chandelier fashion trend continues.“Chandelier earrings are hot, the number one accessory,” said Gerry Sparano,co-owner of Priorities for Her, a contemporary women’s specialty store inNewtown, Pa. Dramatic or subdued, chandelier earrings should be kept in pro-portion to the body.

Jewelry doesn’t have to match exactly but can complement eachother. A multi-strand pearl necklace can be paired with pearl andgold earrings and a gold bracelet. For consistency select either goldor silver.

Costume jewelry can look rich without breaking the bank.Rhinestones and cubic zirconia studs that look like the real thingare available in any department, jewelry or specialty store for as lit-tle as $18. A large rhinestone brooch worn on a suit lapel can bea stunning addition and no longer considered old lady.

Beautiful embellished sweaters over satin or velvet pants area comfortable party option. If the garment is embellished, keepjewelry to a minimum as trimming acts as the accessory. A win-ter white suit can be offset with ruby jet bead jewelry piecesmoderately priced from Liz Claiborne at $18 to $30.

Silver, rhinestones or diamonds are the crowning touch toblack, ruby or sapphire velvet garments. Gold accents brown,ivory or emerald green. Open neck and strapless styles cancommand a large neck piece such as a rhinestone choker withhanging drops (think Elizabeth Taylor) or a flower medalliontied to a ribbon around the neck. Any of these jewelry touch-es can be purchased for $18 on up.

Adding sparkle to any outfit area pavé Austrian crystal brooch,

from Erwin Pearl and chandelierearrings from Yochi Design

(girlshop.com)

From left,Linda Hughs

and Gerry Sparano, co-owners of

Priorities for Her,are happy to help with

accessory selection.

photo by Frank Wojciechowski

Hair is often forgotten as part of the totalpackage. Showcase earrings and bare

necklines with hair coifed up off the face.A French twist or tumble of curls around

chandelier earrings embellishes your every-day appearance. Short hair looks chic when

worn with a few stacked rhinestone bobbybins or barrettes.

Pull hair back with decorative ponytailholders surrounded with beaded

fringe, a rhinestone initial (Lord &Taylor $12) or jeweled jaw clips ($15). Hairaccessories are available for under $5 inthe health and beauty aisles at any drug orchain store such as Target as well asdepartment and accessories stores.

IT’S A WRAPA very popular accessory is the addition of a stole, wrap,

or shawl - the perfect companion to cover bare shoulders.“Wraps do make a statement, especially if going around

a simple dress or evening gown. A woman throws on a wrap,walks out the door and feels great,” said Ms. Sparano.Although her store carries triangle and oblong wraps, shesaid that oblongs are more versatile, offering extra coveragesince they can wrap around the body twice. Her wraps sellfor $45 to $158 including a beautiful style in black chiffonwith lace ruffles and sequins. Wraps come in a mélange of luxury fabrics such as silk

on one side and velvet on the other. Hand-painted designs onsilk, a sprinkle of sequins and beading with fringe edges alladd to the beauty. Intricate detailing or brocade can add pat-tern to an otherwise solid ensemble. Wraps can range from$40 on up at department stores. For ultimate glamour,unleash your real orfaux fur coat.

Enhance your face and nails with beauty products withholiday red lipstick and a shine of lip-gloss. Spray on yourfavorite perfume for complete head-to-toe dressing.

‘Tis the season, dressed with all the trimmings, you’lllook like a million bucks without ever having spent it.

Paula L. Molino is owner of Fashion Fix, a full service fash-ion consulting business. She is a frequent contributor toPacket Publications on fashion, home, garden and lifestyletopics. Contact pmolino@fashionfix.com or (215) 321-7399.

DOLLED UP

Showcase your ensemble with hair accessories from Ulta,

and wrap from Eziba.com

Add glamour while helping the American Heart Association. Proceeds from sales of Benefit’s siren red lip color are donated to the AHA.

For another pick-me-up, try DEMETER’sSugar Cookiefragrance,both from Sephora.

www.packetonline.com22 ’Tis The Season