Let’s hope we are finally going to be attending holiday parties this season! You don’t need to get something new for every event. With just a few items, you can mix and match and add a few basics from your wardrobe to create several festive, unexpected looks.

#1 Metallic Knit Sweater and/or Dress

Metallic fabrics are everywhere this season in a wide range of colors. From sophisticated burgundy, browns and golds to radiant greens, blues and pinks. The materials are over-the-top but worn the right way they add just the right amount of pop for a special occasion. The metallic threads reflect the light to look like an earth tone for a moment, but then suddenly sparkle like a freshly cut gemstone once the light hits it. A sweater can be paired with jeans for a more casual event and velvet, satin or leather pants/skirts for a dressier affair. They work from Fall to early Spring so you’ll get a lot of use out of them. Most of these fabrics are incredibly comfortable. A metallic stretchy dress is the easiest (and most comfortable) way to look dressed up for a special holiday occasion.

Nearly every fashion line is featuring metallic knits right now. I love this Reiss one shoulder sweater. I recently purchased it for a trip to Vegas and plan to wear it throughout the holidays. I’ll pair it with black leather or velvet pants to dress it up and black jeans or dress pants to dress it down. It would even be cute with leggings.

WYSE has a super cute block stitch gold jumper (sweater). Reformation has a beautiful sparkly dress called the Alden knit dress. I bought it in blue and the cut is so incredibly flattering and it’s one of the most comfortable dresses I now own.

#2 Festive Strapless Top

Yes, it’s basically a bustier or tube top but don’t let that scare you. Adding this item to your wardrobe is bold, but that’s what this season is about! You can be as risqué as you want to be. If wearing it alone doesn’t feel comfortable, pair it with a blazer, cardigan sweater or leather jacket. Just a little peak of that bustier underneath will be so chic!

Find one with a whimsical pattern, interesting fabric (stain, metallic chintz, velvet, or leather) and you can turn a very basic outfit like black pants and a black blazer or jeans and a cardigan into a knock-out look by showing a little of that bustier underneath. Play around with it. It’s not a big investment but it will make a big statement!

I love my Reformation Giorga Top. It’s perfect with leather pants or jeans and a blazer. Add a sparkly heel to complete the look.

Reformation has several strapless or bustier type tops like Maia and Spritz Silk for a looser fit.

Zara has the sweetest hot pink peplum top - it’s a must-see and I can see that with black cigarette pants and a stay black heel!

#3 Vegan Leather Pants or Skirt

The reason I say “vegan” (also known as pleather) is because pants and skirts in real leather are a splurge for a trend which goes against my rule: don’t spend a lot of money on trends. If leather pants or a leather skirt is totally “YOU” and you prefer the real deal – then go for it.

Leather is so popular this season and there is a wide range of colors and styles out there to choose from. Although I am loving all the chocolate and wine colors out there (yum), I suggest starting with basic black – just to make sure you like the way you feel and look in this fabric. If you do, then branch out!

One tip for buying leather or vegan leather pants is to go up a size. They easily bunch and crease if they are too close to the skin. You can dress them up with a metallic sweater or bustier and then dress them down with a simple button down or sweater. One of my favorite looks is black leather pants with a camel cashmere sweater. So chic!

I love my Gap leather pants. If you’re into a more wide leg leather pant, try Zara’s Faux Leather 90’s Wide Leg.

And Joe’s Jeans has the cutest mid-length Faux Leather Skirt. I might need to get this!

#4 Crystal Encrusted or Jeweled Shoes

You will never regret owning a pair of jeweled or sparkly shoes. You can’t help but smile when your feet twinkle! And you can instantly make an outfit holiday-ready just by adding sparkly shoes!

Find a pair that reflect your personality – maybe it’s the color, maybe the jewels remind you of your favorite piece of jewelry, maybe they remind you of an old movie star. You will know it when you find your pair and try your best to let go of practicality! If you don’t have a pair of sparky holiday shoes in your wardrobe, this is your season to find them.

I found the most perfect, fabulous black crystal encrusted Manolo Blahnik’s from The Real Real.

These splurge Burberry Madeline Crystal Pumps are jaw-dropping. And these Jeweled Bagley Mischka Cher Pumps are a complete steal and look gorgeous.

On my wedding day I wore Bagley Mischkia blue satin pumps with jewels that looks a lot like these, and I still wear them every chance I can get. I also like these black splurge classic Manolo Blhanik Hangisi Pumps.