How to Sparkle up for the Holidays - Inexpensively

It’s the time of year when we want – and need – to add some sparkle and glow to our lives and to our wardrobe. That’s how we make the darkest season of the year (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) brighter. If you are still of the age – and have the body – to dress up like a glitter ball for New Year, no judgements!

But all of us deserve to glow and sparkle a a bit at this time of the year, regardless of age, body, or location. So here are some budget-friendly ways to do this. They might even make you want to put on your dancing shoes and kick up your heels.

Shop Your Closet

Before you break out the credit card, look close to home. Just about everyone has a “special occasion” item that we break out at this time of year and then forget about for the rest of the year. Sometimes we just forget we even have them! I encourage everyone to do a deep dive into their wardrobe and consider which, if any, of the pieces in there would serve as your statement item for a holiday item.

Now, this doesn’t have to be something with sparkle. Maybe you have a favorite lacey or ruffled top that doesn’t get much wear. That could be the main event, paired with simple bottoms, tailored pants or a midi skirt. But you could even wear it with a tailored suit. That would bring some of the “hard/soft” look I encourage for clients that emphasizes the softer item by contrast.

Or maybe you have a pair of silver or gold metallic jeans or pants. You can glow but still keep the emphasis on your upper body (I always advise to feature the “portrait” area of the torso) by matching your jewelry to the color of the pants. That creates a referral loop the brings attention back to your face.

If you have that one great LBD – or red dress – there are infinite ways to make it shine. Although we’re not seeing a lot of faux or real gemstone jewelry in fashion this year, the holidays are one excuse to add a fabulous bauble or two and it will make you stand out instead of just relying on the great dress to speak for you.

The Holiday Textiles

So now, let’s look into the idea of “glow”. We’ll start with textiles. Velvet and Satin are both glow-y holiday fabrics. Velvet’s glow is one that draws the eye in. It reflects light but then hides it. It speaks of mystery and magic. Satin has a different kind of glow. It emphasizes and reflects more sensuously, drawing attention to what is underneath. (That’s why you need good underwear or shapewear when you wear it).

These are both the “Romantic” fabrics. If you have a lot of Romantic in your personal style essence blend, they are a no-brainer. But frankly, pretty much anyone can get away with wearing something in these textiles for the holidays, unless you are 100% Natural. And even if you are, something that has simple Classic lines in one of your red shades will convey some Romantic. Also, I personally feel almost everyone can wear some Classic pieces for such occasions.

Now, if your coloring is Winter-y (Striking Contrast) or Autumn-like (Earthy Rich), the saturation level on many holiday velvet or satin items will often work for your color palette. If your skin tone and hair/eye contrast level is more delicate (Subtle Blended) or is more bright (Lively Bright or Spring) some of the lighter colored satins might be more flattering.

So consider something like a velvet blazer as a basis for your special occasion. If you don’t have one in velvet or satin, you can use your everyday blazer, but wear whatever you wear with it more celebratory, like something with lace or ruffles.

If you just have nothing that resembles these ideas, here are a few very reasonable shoppable items.

LilySilk dark blue “Wave” Blouse $159 – (now with 20% off)

LilySilk Minimalist Shiny Silk Top on sale $153

Velvet is a winter holiday staple. Midi dresses are not only appropriate for colder weather, they are especially lovely in Velvet.

Talbot’s Velveteen jeans $169

Satin midi skirts have been extremely popular for a few years now, but frankly they will not go out of style anytime soon. The ones with lace trim that actually look like slips or bedroom attire might have a shorter shelf life.

Vince Camuto Silver Faux Leather cropped wide leg pants 65.40

Amazon Brand: Generic, Silver faux leather straight pants $82.44

Glitter and Shine

If there is any style detail that in itself is the definition of bling it has to be sequins. They could be on a tank or camisole, jacket, a short or long-sleeved top or, yes, a skirt. If you still have great legs and can rock a semi-mini (just a few inches above the knee) go for it! But for the rest of us, a longer version would do just fine.

Donna Karen New York Sequined Top $77.40 at Macy’s

Vince Camuto sleeveless sequined top $69

Accessorize With Bling

OK. The obvious accessory here is jewelry. But let’s save that for a bit. It deserves a separate analysis. So, let’s just talk about adding some sparkle and shine to an outfit inexpensively.

Handbags

This is one area where you can do a “soft splurge.” That means shop in places where younger women buy their accessories because they will be a lot less expensive than designer bags. And, frankly, many of these types of bags look as pretty as the “real” deal. Since they will get rare use they won’t look worn. And honestly, nobody (at least nobody you want as a friend) is going to ask, “Who’s the designer?”

Just as with the addition of a brightly colored cotton blouse to a satin, sequined or chiffon skirt, you can add a small shiny textile bag in a pretty color to a simple outfit. A blue satin clutch worn with your favorite LBD and black satin heels would add an alluring and festive touch. If you have sapphire-colored drop earrings, that would complete this type of outfit.

Belts

If you still want to show off your waistline, there are two ways to do this. Here’s the first. Just as with inexpensive bags, there are sequined and rhinestone belts on many lower-end fashion sites that you aren’t likely going to make a regular part of your wardrobe. But they can be the very thing that makes your holiday look. (Although I have an adorable friend in her 50s who wears a rhinestone belt with her jeans regularly.) This first one is the higher end.

Amazon: Rhinestone chain belt $18.98

A New Kind of Hair Bling: It’s a “Thing”

Several months ago, I saw a woman at the gym about my age who had mostly gray hair. Woven through her hair were strands of pink and silver tinsel. It was absolutely magical and angelic. I’ve been coveting that look ever since. It’s a crafts-y do-it-yourself trend and the tutorials are on the internet.

But since we’re talking about hair, an easy way to add some holiday sparkle – and another little crafts project – would be to buy an inexpensive fabric headband and glue on some strategically placed rhinestones (not a whole rhinestone headband unless you want to look like a queen). You get extra points by matching the color of the headband to your blouse or bag.

Tip #4: Re-Purposing Jewelry

Of course, a fun pair of drop earrings in gemstone colors or a diamond-like necklace will add festive bling. But there are some fun tricks adopted by fashionistas that can make your jewelry multi-purpose.

First of all, if you have a long necklace – pearl, chain, gemstone (faux is better for this purpose) – consider using it as a belt. It’s a very “Chanel-type” thing to do, btw. If it’s very long – long enough to wrap twice around your waist – you can make one of the lengths drape slightly. You can also fasten it in such a way that part of it hangs down. Or you can secure the looser section with a decorative pin.

Another tip I learned from a friend and that I recommend frequently, is to look for some costume jewelry clip-on gemstone earrings at your favorite thrift shop. Clip them to the middle top of simple flats or heels. Instant bling! You can also attach one to a fold-over clutch bag.

Here’s how my friend Judy blinged up her plain suede pumps.