Three easy ways to dress up your wardrobe for the holidays
It's nice to feel loved this time of year, but all those invites to holiday parties can be stressful. What will you wear?!?!
Here are some tips for dressing up what's already in your closet:
The hoity-toity party:
Lucky you, scoring an invite from someone not afraid to throw a ritzy bash in this economy. Start with the LBD (little black dress) in your closet. Add a sequin shrug and/or metallic shoes with a matching clutch. Finish with as much sparkle as you can pile on your wrists and neck.
You want to dress up, not overdress. Grab a satin or silk top -- simple lines are a sure bet. Pair with a black skirt or slacks. Layer on as many pearls (long and short) as you have in your jewelry box, and maybe a gold or silver chain too. Twist for maximum effect. Scared to mix and match? Consider a small investment in a multi-strand statement necklace, they're everywhere now.
The tea/cookie exchange/potluck:
You want to be sociable, not scare people with your ugly Christmas sweater. Keep it simple with a festive top -- a red sweater, perhaps. Layer on a pretty scarf and perhaps a holiday-themed pin, which is a nice alternative to Mr. Snowman on your chest. Jeans are appropriate for a potluck, but go with pants for a tea or brunch. The queen would thank you.
Deal Diva Letitia
(Photos: Mix and layer your own necklaces to get the look of this Kenneth Jay Lane mutli-chain neckclace, $175 at Macy's. Dress up any outfit with this gold mesh clutch, $34 at Macy's.)








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Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or
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