Today I am joining my friend Kim from Northern California Style for our monthly Signature Style Series. This month we are chatting about holiday fashion. Adding a touch of holiday sparkle to your everyday wardrobe can instantly elevate your holiday attire Here are five simple hacks for adding holiday sparkle to any outfit. We aren’t often invited to black tie parties that call for cocktail attire. The dress code for most parties this holiday season just requires a little creativity. Let’s talk about five stylish hacks for adding holiday sparkle to any outfit so you will be ready for any invitation.
Add Some Bling
This Margaret O’leary sweater is an investment but one of the nicest most versatile sweaters I own. It is a beautiful shade of bluish gray, soft as a “baby’s bottom” and can be worn so many different ways. It comes with a beautiful yarn covered pin, but you can replace it with a vintage rhinestone brooch to add a little holiday sparkle. I am pairing it with her origami elbow length sweater. I love the texture of this origami collection. Pull on a knitted midi skirt and boots and you are ready for most Christmas parties.
SHOP THE LOOK
Cover the buttons of your favorite wool blazer with vintage rhinestone brooches, add a vintage clutch, simple boots and wide-leg velvet pants, a favorite gigi pip hat (on sale) and you are ready for any holiday party.
SHOP THE LOOK
Bring on the Tulle
I remember spotting this iconic look on Jennifer Lawrence a few years back and it made me rethink tulle, and sparked a few outfit ideas.
I channeled Jennifer Lawrence and wore this outfit to our neighborhood holiday party. I wore not one but three rhinestone brooches for a little added glam. I am carrying a vintage needlepoint bag. You can find several needlepoint bags at all price ranges on eBay here. I have owned this one for years. These tulle skirts are not expensive and there is no reason to invest in an expensive one. Tulle is tulle.
SHOP THE LOOK
You don’t have to don rhinestones to be festive. Here I am wearing my Rag and Bone military jacket, tulle skirt, combat boots and a few favorite pieces of jewelry from my Native American collection.
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Here I added a simple Quince cashmere sweater, a rhinestone necklace and combat boots to my tulle skirt for a little fun. I purchased the necklace a couple years ago at a vintage show but you could easily make your own with a vintage brooch
SHOP THE POST
Add Some Plaid
This ensemble can take you to lunch with a friend or a casual get together. Instead of pumps, grab your favorite velvet birdies. This blazer is J Crew from several years back. I purchased mine on eBay this year. I linked a few below the pic.
SHOP THE LOOK
I am wearing the same plaid blazer with a brooch at the waist with my favorite Lyssee faux leather pants.
SHOP THE LOOK
Bring out your tartan blouses (like the one I featured here in the outfit of the week) for a little holiday fun. I purchased this one on eBay last year, and I bought the jacket on sale at Rag and Bone. The hat is from Wyeth.
SHOP THE LOOK
Engage a Pop of Red or Green
Layer a bright red pashmina (this one no longer available, Quince has a nice one here) over a column of all black for a simple christmas outfit. I added shoes and accessories from Artemis Design Co.
SHOP THE LOOK
This kelly green sweater from Mersea with a pair of Spanx trousers will add a little Christmas color for lunch with a friend. The Vivaia bag is on super sale right now and is linked with the other items below the pic.
SHOP THE LOOK
Embrace Texture
Leather and a vintage style paisley scarf were the inspiration for this outfit. A vintage rhinestone brooch at the neckline adds a holiday vibe.
SHOP THE LOOK
I was gifted this jacket from IBU Movement several years ago. I linked a few similar below.
SHOP THE LOOK
Here I am styling another Margaret O Leary’scheckerboard tunic with an origami (it’s hard to see the texture) look. I am wearing the same paisley scarf over my shoulders with a favorite necklace and the Lysee Faux leather pants in green.
SHOP THE LOOK
f you are looking for something new for the holidays, thee is no need to spend a ton of money on holiday attire that you only wear once a year. Shop eBay, Poshmark, and other resale outlets. There are always plenty of cast offs available this time of year. If you need something new, add a sequin skirt, shirt or duster to what you already own, Below are some pretty holiday additions that won’t break the bank.
SHOP HOLIDAY SPARKLE
This season, you don’t need to drag out your christmas sweater or cocktail dress to be holiday ready. Shop your closet, or shop smart. Think outside of the box. Don’t be afraid to change it up and make the classic holiday look your own. Add unpredictable elements like mixing and matching textures and patterns. Don’t be afraid to wear jeans with a sequined top or furry jacket. Elevate your holiday style with unique accessories and have some fun this holiday season. You can find vintage rhinestone brooches on eBay here, and more rhinestone brooches on Poshmark here. Etsy also has some great rhinestone offerings here.
Thank you for being here and reading five stylish hacks for adding holiday sparkle to any outfit. I so appreciate you being here. Now let’s pop over and visit Kim for more holiday style inspiration.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Love the idea of covering a button with a brooch! I have literal boxes of vintage brooches I began collecting in the early 90s. Sooooo much costume jewelry tucked away. I had my bling period doncha know. The holidays are a perfect time for playing with these festive pieces, and you make them look extra chic, Cindy. xox
I love all of this and can easily mix and match some of these pieces with things I already own! You truly inspire me to look at what I have and add to it. I love this tulle skirt. Is the one you are wearing the same as the one you linked? I haven’t shopped the chicwish website before and I wanted to verify before I tried it. Thank you!
Hi Pam
That is what I love to hear!I am wearing the same one that I linked. I also have the fluffy blue/gray one that you see in last year’s holiday fashion post!
You have such great style! I love the tulle skirt-You make it look so shake with combat boots! I’ll look I would probably never even think about it. Looks so great on you. I love plaid, so of course, I loved the plaid jacket and then the black outfit with the plaid shirt. Years ago at the Alameda flea market I bought all these little plaid shot glasses and I always wanted to have a Christmas party called “a toast to tartan!” And everyone would wear plaid!!! I haven’t gotten it together but if you ever have the party will you invite me?
Martha that is a fabulous idea! Maybe we should meet at the Rose Bowl flea market one day! I have yet to check it out!!
CINDY, YOU ARE A NATURAL AT THIS!
I love that you style what you own! I am a huge fan of using what I already have. As I age I buy less and less. I like to look and add a piece here and there but for the most part my style is set and I have enough to wear for another lifetime.
Brooches are my favorite piece of jewelry at the holidays, and bracelets too. I don’t wear earring or necklaces often so I like to style my outfits with them.
Plaid and tule are perfect for the holidays. Dress them up or down and you can go anywhere.
Hi Eliz
Oh gosh I really am not, but I try my best! Less is definitely more as we age!!
Cindy—-wow! Amazed at your endless styling suggestions!! Love love love!! You look beautiful in everything! The multiple vintage pins and the tulle skirt are gorgeous!!
Hi Carol
You constantly inspire me as well Carol!!
Cindy, I just love how you style things. The pins really make things fun and festive, but you are using your regular beautiful pieces , so smart! That plaid jacket is an awesome piece. Good find! I love when we can find these J. Crew treasures after the fact. They need to remake some of their greatest hits.
Love the green pants and all the jackets!! I think I need the black military one now! I am going to share some of your brooch looks for our little #shareyourbling … People need to see what you can do with these treasures.
Again too fun doing this!! Adore you., xo
Kim
You need that military jacket it is so versitile! So fun collaborating as always. You are always on top of the latest looks!!
You’d look fabulous in a paper bag!! But these holiday looks are fabulous!
Hi Sue
Don’t believe everything you see…the lighting hqs to be just right…several takes…there are a lot of rejects trust me!!
Hi Cindy,
These looks are so fabulous! I love that you show us where to get some of the items, but
get frustrated that my size is SOLD OUT!!
I love the tulle skirt you featured last year and I still get compliments when I wear it (purchased
on Amazon!) I feel so good when I where it with a black sweater and black tie boots!! I’m old and
it makes me feel young and stylish!!
Thanks for your inspiration!
Merry Christmas!
Pat Demling
Hi Pat
I can just see you in that skirt with your darling figure and gorgeous skin and eyes!! I am so glad you are enjoying it. They are such a small investment for a little fun!!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Just the best of the best for us today with this post using all your good standby fashions shuzzshed up for holidays! Inspired and so fun for us to copy and adapt our own things to enjoy dressing for the season.
Hi Leanne
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it! I had fun trying to come up with new ways to make the everyday festive!!
Hi Cindy,
Such a gorgeous post and so Christmassy and you look fabulous!!! Love everything!! We are going to Anchorage Alaska this year to see my son and his lovely wife so I will be wrapped up well. Bringing along my red velveteen pants and thickest knits and now I will add some vintage brooches. Thank you for the inspiration.
Merry Christmas and enjoy those parties xo
Oh Francesca that sounds fabulous! I can’t imagine a more festive place to be!! Will you see the light of day?
You look like a million bucks. But, you prove one doesn’t need to spend that much. Thanks for sharing your great style.
Hi Claudia
I enjoy shopping resale. I have done it for years…way before it was chic…ha ha!
You Darling Person!
Your creative pairings with “bling” spell FABULOUS! And, you will find me in my closet attempting to emulate your amazing style with what is already there!
What earrings do you suggest to wear with a rhinestone brooch?! I’m concerned about overwhelming my short self.
Blinging with you,
Diney
Hi Cindy,
This is one of the best holiday posts I have seen, thank you for all the research you have done over the year!
KL
OMG gorgeous!!!! I absolutely love the tulle skirt outfits! fun and pretty and flattering! All the outfits are so elegant and festive – I would like to go crash some parties just to have fun getting dressed up.
Happy Holiday season! Let me know if you want to grab a martini at the Madonna Inn. it is a cheery visit during the holidays, for sure!
Hi Dianne
A martini at the Madonna sounds like fun! I bet it is so festive!!
I pulling out my brooches!! Merry Christmas, Cindy!
Great post! Those brooches are an excellent way to temporarily dress up my simple black blazer. You encouraged me to shop my closet which I am trying to do more of these days. Love the JCrew plaid shirts too.
Hi Carolina
I know brooches are more “in” now. I have have collected them for years and worn them when they are “out” as well.
Love the looks! You look marvelous.
Hi Linda
These annual posts force me to shop my closet as well. It doesn’t take much to give your everyday looks a little sparkle.
Nice holiday ideas and ways to wear the pretty brooches. What has happened to your formerly elegant page? I counted 15 separate ads that had to be waded through and found them distracting and ugly. Not your usual attractive presentation.
Hi Ginny
I am sorry you feel that way. There are actually five ads on my page which is the minimum allowed. What you are seeing is the shop the look for each outfit. When there are that many options I cannot put them all at the bottom of the page. I am sorry if it is distracting, but it is the only way I can do it for an extensive post like this. This post was a long one and I apologize for that.
What great inspiration to mix and match, combine vintage elements, or just rethink what we need to wear to holiday gatherings. I love that you shop resale!
Hi Deanna
I am a huge resale fan. I always look there first!
What are the chances..I own the same little needlepoint floral little purse you own!! Such a cute way to wear it!!!
Hi Natalie!
How fun is that!!