Deck the halls with boughs of holly (and the tables with a few bottles of rosé) because the festive season is upon us and that can only mean one thing. We’re going out!
It’s time to pull out your party dresses and maybe buy some new ones for the festive/New Year/summer break. But before you start stressing about pulling together the perfect party looks, there’s a way to ensure you always feel extra special.
It’s as easy as adding a little extra sparkle to your look with a few key items that suit pretty much any outfit, so you can easily dance your way through the party season.
Here are four ways to add a little extra shine to your festive wardrobe, taking a little inspiration from some of the most stylish women in the world and the sparkly holiday accessories from Swarovksi.
1. Sparkle those lobes.
There’s no question that at the moment the most fashionable woman in the world is Meghan Markle (oh, excuse me, I mean the Duchess of Sussex).
It’s also quite easy to pinpoint the exact day we fell in love with her unique and effortlessly elegant style: Her wedding day to Prince Harry.
While not all of us can dress for our very own royal wedding each day (what a pity) we can take a page out of Meghan's style book and add a touch of sparkle to our earlobes when heading out to celebratory events.
Meghan often opts to wear a touch of blue in her jewellery, an elegant and timeless look that compliments any evening dress.
2. Watch out.
One of the most iconic movie quotes of all time (from one of the most fashionable movies of all time) is Cher from the film Clueless proclaiming "a watch doesn't really go with this outfit" while wearing a stunning red party dress.
Well, Cher only said that because she didn't have the right watch.
Gone are the days when a watch is just a practical element you added to your outfit just to keep track of time. Now it's just as much of a style statement as the shoes you wear or the bag you carry.
A classic watch with a hint of sparkle and a touch of rose gold, like the Swarovski Cosmic Rock watch below, can be worn with any festive season look, from evening dresses to frocks worn to afternoon drinks, a watch is a timeless accessory that goes from day to night.
3. Mix and match, but follow one important rule.
You may have once heard the rule that when it comes to accessorising an outfit, you must pick either a necklace or earrings to compliment your outfit. Let one stand out and leave the other at home, but the festive season is no time to be dabbling in understated fashion.
Supermodel Bella Hadid is not only the queen of catwalks and red carpets, she is also the undisputed supreme leader when it comes to mixing and matching a bit of sparkle into her look in a slightly unconventional way.
Her trick, you see, is that she always pairs a pair of coloured, statement earrings with a more subdued (yet still sparkly) pendant necklace, ensuring that the jewels compliment each other rather than compete.
A white gold or silver pendant necklace like this could just become the hardest working team member of your holiday party wardrobe, because it can be worn with everything.
4. Brace yourself, you're onto a winner.
If there's a lot going on with your party dress, such as a high neckline, long flowing sleeves or a heavily embellished bodice, adding too many accessories to that same area can draw focus from some of your outfit's most dramatic elements.
In this case, a glittering and sumptuous bracelet can be your very best friend, allowing you to add just a little bit glamour to your outfit without taking away from the dress or jumpsuit you've been waiting all year to show off.
With a packed social calendar during the festive season, it can be difficult to work out how to take your outfit from day to night. Now you know the secret to success is to add a little bit of sparkle - treat yourself, it's been a big year.
What's your pick for the best accessories to sparkle up your outfits this 2018/2019 festive/summer season?
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Swarovski brings its inimitable shine to the festive season along with a message as brilliant as its new
Holiday Collection - to inspire gift-givers the world over to spread joy, love and sparkle.
Let the collection transport you to a crystallized wonderland, sharing joy and sparkle for all and reflects the
brand’s will to empower all women from around the world. Shop the collection now at www.swarovski.com.