Holiday Styling Tips for Moms: Pulling it Together with Accessories

Over the last week we’ve been talking about putting together holiday looks with simple, easy-to-wear items you might already have in your closet.  Now it’s time to pull it all together with your accessories. I’m suggesting some pretty budget-busting options, but with the vintage-feel and focus on detail that most of these items have, you can definitely find comparable if not better pieces if you get creative: raid your grandma’s jewelry box for early inheritance pieces, go thrifting and, if all else fails, hit your friendly Claire’s Boutique for disposable versions of these high end looks.

Yay Sequins!
The sequin looks we talked about earlier this week all hinge on one critical, bling-ed out piece, so it’s important to keep the rest of the look simple to avoid looking like a worn out Vegas act.  Leave the neck bare while pairing a sequin top like the BB Dakota Black Andisue Sequin Jacket with an understated, though still eye-popping bracelet like Anthropologie’s Toasted Meringue Cuff ($198.00),  a cocktail ring like Banana Republic’s Portrait Ring ($42.00) and Broadway Multi-Stone Earring (or the edgier Alexander McQueen Skull Drop Earring – $295.00) then grab a muted metallic clutch like the Martin + Osa Metallic Clutch in Pewter ($98.00).

Fancy Pants
Oh fancy pants and hubby beater.  How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.  Fancy pants are by far my favorite look for their comfort and sheer versatility, and because I love my bling.  You can achieve so many different looks with these two very basic pieces just by changing up your accessories, which, as Shana mentioned in her earlier post, you can go bananas with since the outfit is a sartorial blank slate.  

Go monochromatic with a few pops of color by dressing up your tank and fancy pants with the Anthropologie Captured Gems Bracelet ($178.00), Frayed Diamonds Necklace in Grey ($168.00), Alexis Bittar Crystal-Studded Earrings ($175.00), the Soon-to-Scatter Ring ($98.00) and Urban Outfitters’ Sequin Box Purse in Lilac/Silver ($38.00). 

 
If you have the budget and inclination, try variations on the look with some of the season’s hottest necklace trends, like Ranjana Khan’s Multi-Strand Necklace ($330.00), the Anthropologie Million Strand Necklace in Silver ($58.00) or Banana Republic's Layered Pearl and Chain Necklace ($46.00). 

Bib necklaces, like Prada’s Stone Bib Necklace in Clear/Black ($695.00), the Vera Wang Rose Tie Necklace ($650.00), Banana Republic’s BR Monogram Coiled Bib Necklace in Mixed Metals ($150.00) or Anthropologie’s Rousseau Necklace ($138.00), take this look to another level.

Dressy Shorts
As with the sequin looks, dressy shorts need to tread lightly in the accessories department.  Coco’s adage about looking in the mirror and taking at least one piece off before leaving the house is even truer when you’re wearing this look in frigid weather—dressy shorts can quickly cross the street to hot pants with too many or too loud accessories.  Skip the neck-gear and try the Berry Earring ($75.00), a  funky yet ladylike take on the traditional stud by GB Couture by Emily & Ashley.  Pick up a simple but large-scale cocktail ring like Steven Webster’s mother-of-pearl Super Stud Ring ($495.00) and tie it all together with a subtly-blinged-out clutch like J.Crew’s Stone Garden Clutch in Soft Sandalwood ($148.00) or the Caecey Metallic Leather Clutch in platinum by Tory Burch.

Well Mamas, you're beautiful as-is, even in sweats (or alternative), but have fun and treat yourself to a nice little accessory this holiday season.  Like pretty underthings (even if it is a nursing bra), they can go a long way toward making you feel like the rock star you are.     

M.