Get ready for holiday parties with these tips

Photos by Colleen Harrison

Styling by Angie Hoffman

Tips by Jean Eaton

Location: West End Architectural Salvage

Holiday dressing is all about fun, color, texture and sparkle! It’s about making you feel as special as the holidays.

Consider these four tips for stunning holiday fashion:

 

1. Purchase investment pieces of clothing. 

Classics that are timeless and can be worn year-round include a fitted pant, skirt, blazer, white blouse, black dress, pump heel and ballet flat shoe. Change your accessories depending on the time of year and type of event. Remember, fit is essential in looking good any time.

2. Color: Whether you’re attending a formal affair or an event with your best jeans, dressing in a monochromatic color scheme is a great option. Not only does dressing head to toe in one color slim and elongate your body, but it is an elegant look.

Black and cream are always easy and basic colors to work with for the holidays. Adding pops of color in clothing or accessories in jewel tones or pastels is also a good choice.

3. Texture: Time to shine, sparkle and get cozy with fabrics! Bring on the metallic, sequins, velvet and cashmere. These fabrics give you that extra special look for any holiday event. Don’t be afraid to wear them for day or evening.

4. Accessories: Holiday dressing is really all about accessorizing.

Experiment wearing at least one sparkly accessory for those parties. One statement piece is all you really need. Pay attention not to over do; you don’t want to look like your Christmas tree! Try a colorful scarf, pashmina or faux fur piece.

Necklaces with rhinestones, pearls or crystal beads can be layered or worn separately depending on your personality. Try fancier earrings, maybe one that dangles for a change. Layer bracelets. No need to just wear one!

Try shopping in your grandmother’s jewelry box or the local antique or used-a-bit shops for vintage jewelry.

Those wonderful, colorful earrings can also be worn as pins, buttons or as shoe clips on your favorite black pumps.

Let’s not forget your shoes or handbags. No longer do your shoes have to match your handbag. Change out your leather purse for a smaller more elegant clutch. Maybe this is the time to wear a higher heel or a shoe in a fun color, metallic or even a sequin.

Remember the holidays come once a year, so look your best. Always remember, you are never fully dressed without a smile!

Jean Eaton lives in Albert Lea and is co-owner of Granicrete Minnesota. 

 

Meet the models

Between full-time jobs and a combined five children, these sisters found time in their busy schedules to help us showcase what local merchants have to offer in top fashion this season. Here’s some background on each of them:

 

Jill Koehler

Koehler, 38, lives in rural Walters with her husband, Dan, and their two children, Karly, 8, and Ethan, 11. Both children attend United South Central.

Koehler is the vice president of marketing and human resources for Wells Federal Bank.

She enjoys spending time with her family at their lake house on Bass Lake, near Blue Earth.

 

Beth Hansen

Hansen, 35, lives in rural Bricelyn with her 8-year-old twins, Maya and Lauren, and her 6-year-old son, Tommy. All three children attend United South Central. Hansen’s “plus one” is Darren Anderson.

Hansen is a loan officer and works in marketing and human resources for Paragon Bank.

She enjoys gardening and canning in her free time.