Holiday style! 5 tips for ace accessorizing

When it comes to accessories over the holidays, more is not always merrier. Fashion consultant Stacy London has some tips to make sure you don’t go over the top...

For starters, find a dress you LOVE to wear for this holiday season. Choose a flattering color and cut, not just what looks trendy, because what is flattering on YOU will never go out of style! You can update any great piece by changing up the accessories that you wear with it. This holiday season, remember these rules:

1. Don’t overdo it.
Choose focal pieces, instead of over-accessorizing. Think bold instead of quantity. Try chandelier earrings, bold cuffs, multi-layer necklaces and cocktail rings — but not all at the same time. A good rule of thumb is not to put items too close together on the body. Instead of big earrings AND a big necklace, try big earrings and a cocktail ring.

2. Don’t use day accessories for an evening event.
Shine (metallics, patent, embellishment) is always good for dressing up an outfit and going from day to evening. Leave the beat-up leather boots or shoulder bag you wear every day to the office at home.

3. Don’t match, go.
You can mix metallics and different styles of accessories, as long as there is cohesion in the outfit. Bags and shoes do not have to be the same color. The general rule to follow? Choose one in a color or pattern and the other in a neutral (and remember! Metallics ARE neutrals).

4. Size of accessory should match the size of the person (except for an evening clutch).
If you are larger in stature go for bigger pieces. Don’t wear anything so small that it simply gets lost on you. Conversely, if you are smaller, don’t wear pieces that are so big, it looks like you are drowning in decoration. Save that for the tree.

5. Don’t get costume-y.
Just like red and green are colors to avoid at Christmas, resist “seasonal accessories” which include but are not limited to, ceramic reindeer or turkey pins, Christmas tree and candy cane earrings, mistletoe brooches and pilgrim hats (unless you are in a school play). Buy timeless, beautiful, interesting jewelry that will last you throughout the year with oodles of outfits, not just for November and December.

What you saw on TODAY:

Evening clutches:
Franchi available at www.Zappos.com 
Alexis Hudson available at Henri Bendel; www.alexishudsoninc.com for info
Lauren Merkin available at Bloomingdale’s and Scoop; www.laurenmerkin.com for info

Featured designers:
NOIR available at fine department stores and online at www.hsn.com
Alexis Bittar available at www.alexisbittar.com

Jewelry:
Gerard Yosca available at fine department stores
RJ Graziano available at fine department stores
Lee Angel available at www.leeangel.com

Shoes:
Gold shoes by Stuart Weitzman available at Stuart Weitzman boutiques nationwide
Silver shoes by Nicole Miller available at DSW
Black shoes by Sebastian available at DSW
Fuchsia shoes by Guess available at Macy’s

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