By: By Amanda Morgan

HUNTSVILLE —     Your grandma called!! She wants her light-up, skating-kitty-with-small-bells-sewn-all-over-it Christmas sweater back! If this sounds familiar to you, you (and so many other perfectly fashionable people) have probably been sucked into the annual drudge of holiday party attire, and coming out a frumpy mess. To avoid this sort of banter about your winter outfits, pull up a chair, start the coco, grab a blanket and cozy up to this season’s most fabulous (and totally fashionable) winter wear.
    In order to sport your best qualities, and not to mention your impeccable fashion sense, at the many holiday and Christmas parties coming up; start with the top layer. The top layer, whether it is a jacket, sweater or shawl, is the first thing fellow partygoers will see when you waltz right in the door. Trending right now for winter jackets is an old favorite making a comeback, fur jackets. Although real fur coats are controversial, many fashion houses and retailers are promoting faux fur jackets and scarves. You really cannot go wrong with fur, it makes you look and feel posh and elegant. If fur isn’t really your forte, fear not, there are a variety of options that are becoming very fashionable this winter season. Pouf jackets, for instance, are always a hit! Keeping you warm and toasty while giving off that “straight from the slopes” vibe.
    So after you’ve shed your coat, you have to have a cute and fabulous top or dress! The key to topping off what you wear under that winter coat is to find one that will match both your coat as well as the rest of your outfit once you arrive at your holiday party. To pull this off, this winter’s lineup provides a ton of options and will not disappoint. Depending upon the theme, location and attire of the Christmas party, your outfit will vary due to temperature, professional or casual and if the party is a fun group of friends or posh, upscale holiday party.
    If the party you’re attending is going to be laid back and fun, a sweater with jeans and pretty coat will most likely suffice. Right now, sweaters with small print such as reindeer and snowflakes or in a continuous pattern all the way across the sweater is quickly becoming a must have in winter wear. White, beige and cream sweaters are most popular right now with navy blue, red or forest green trending for the pattern details. Solid colored sweaters and sweaters with minute beading detail across the front are also coming into style right now, Pair a fabulous sweater or sweater dress with dark wash skinny jeans or dark washed flare legged jeans to add a little retro vibe to your outfit. Together, these winter fashion staples will make you look filled with joy while you rock around the Christmas tree. 
    On the other hand though, if you plan on being the “belle of the ball” at a ritzy holiday get-together, there are plenty of glamorous dresses coming out just in time to wear for the season! No matter what your preferred tastes in dress wear is, you’ll definitely be able to find that piece that makes you look and feel like a million dollars! One type of holiday party wear that is picking up momentum in popularity is patterned sequence dresses. Great colors to stick with if you are leaning towards sequence dresses are black, white, gold and red. Mixed or single, these colors allow you to look beautiful, chipper and sexy without looking like an Olympic figure skater’s blazing pink leotard.  
    And what outfit is complete without shoes? This holiday season, peep toe stilettos, leather boots and blinged out strappy heels are big right now! The wide range and variety of styles out right now will allow women of all tastes to find their perfect party shoe. Great colors for holiday party shoes that match almost any outfit, is gold, black, silver and depending upon what you’re wearing, red. Everyone wants to stand out, so why not showcase one of your greatest accessories, your Christmas shoes! Find all of these and more at Modello footwear and accessories, on the square here in Huntsville!
    Speaking of accessories, every outfit and fashionable woman needs their finishing touches to complete their holiday ensemble. Jewelry that will have you sparkling all night is what this winter’s top accessories are all about. Very popular right now are chunky necklaces that combine bubbly rhinestones, giant and tiny pearls and square-shaped “crystals” as well as long flowy and thin chains that mix gold, charcoal and silver chains, sequentially draping them one over the other as they “drape” down the front. Square is where it is in the season’s jewelry. Octagonal, glittery, rhinestone bracelets will look so tasteful with a soft sweater and a bright festive party. Rather large rhinestone rings are adorning hands all over this season and the bigger, the better! The giant and gorgeous rings come in many shapes and colors but trending right now are circular shaped rings with completely white stones that are completely beautiful. Another jewelry must-have are Christmas earrings and we’re not talking jingle bells adorned with red bows. Earrings are going full out this winter in giant proportions! A pair that is sure to “razzle-dazzle” is large, silver, cutout squares filled with a rhinestone to make for a glittery background and centered with a black jewel to top off the entire piece. These earrings will literally match any outfit you have, well maybe not every outfit. You will have a hard time finding something that does not match them though. If you’re “too hip to be square” don’t worry, there are plenty of options for adorning your ears. A very cute and simple earring that is sure to round out your options is the sequentially hanging pearl. This earring has three pearls that start small, drop to a medium sized pearl and ends with the third and largest pearl. This earring comes in a variety of colors ranging from pewter to white to pink to black, so the options and what they will match are pretty much endless. If you think that these glitzy and glamorous pieces are a bit over top or you’re looking for something a little more natural and close to home, a new trend in jewelry could be just what you are looking for. Spoon bracelets are quickly becoming a favorite among fashionistas. The silver bracelets are made from recycled spoon handles and have a clasp attachment to make sure it stays in place. The detail in the handle makes the bracelet posh and delicate and beautifully adorns the wrist. All of these great pieces of jewelry can be found at Modello’s.
    Now that you have a holiday ensemble to show everyone else, focus on your own features, lets start with hair to top everything off. Whether casual or upscale, there are tons of ways to do your hair for any type of Christmas party. Spiral curls that surround your face are always a cute choice; curly hair accentuates the shoulders and neckline, which will be perfect for displaying a simple and understated necklace (very classy look that exhumes confidence). Straight flowing is always a great way to style your hair; it frames the face but doesn’t break the outline of your shoulders. This makes is ideal for showcasing bold and bright earrings (hanging or studs). Straight hair is also ideal for flashy, big and chunky necklaces (go big or go home, right?) Care more for a style that keeps your hair up and out of the way? No problem. Mid-head ponytails is a great option that is being seen everywhere right now. This pony won’t throw your style off at all and it’s extremely simple. Pull hair back onto a normal ponytail, making sure to pin back fly-aways, and curl the end of the tail. It’s just that simple and will make you look so chic. 
    Makeup for the holidays should be clean, crisp and dewy. The winter weather may be setting in, but that doesn’t mean that you have to look like a shriveled up raisin. To keep skin from hitting a dry spell, always start your makeup regiment with lotion, preferably with at least SPF 15 protection. Then use a matte, mousse base, which will smooth out skin and leave it with plenty of moisture throughout the day and night. On top of that, apply a mineral powder to set the base in without settling into wrinkles. Next, apply a rosy blush that matches your skin tone (don’t go overboard with it though!) For eyes, a soft velvet maroon and brown combination will make your eyes glow and your face bright. Apply the maroon in the crease and line your lid with the brown. Add mascara and your all set to go shout “Joy to the World!” because you’re ready to go out and show off your new look.
    There is an abundance of looks, styles and designs to choose from this holiday season, there is sure to be something for everyone when it’s that time to go gab it up with friends and family. Looking your best at Christmas is a priority that’s almost as big as the turkey itself! In the bustle of the season and the almost endless possibilities of fashion choices, don’t lose heart in finding the perfect outfit and look for you because it is out there waiting for you to embrace it’s endless potential to make you look and feel fabulous!
Have a happy holiday season and try not to over indulge yourself with all of the tasty Christmas treats or all of your hard work finding the perfect Christmas party attire might be in vain.

Marry Christmas!!