After all those wonderful and fashionable nights of Christmas parties spent with family, co workers, and friends, it’s time to change gears as we prepare for the new year. Get the champagne ready and style up for the new year with these 5 style enhancing tips.

1. Nails

One of the easiest ways to enhance your style this year is to dress up your nails. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate art project, just something to add that extra sparkle as you hold your glass of champagne. My favorite trick has been to add just a touch of glitter on top of a coat of colored nails. For my Christmas parties, I went with dark colors like burgundy or a dark blue to give the illusion of a starry night. But for the new year I want a brighter splash of color, so I have opted for a fushia color, dipped in golden glitter nail polish!

I like to have the glitter either all on the tips or just on various different parts of the nail. That way you have a contrast from the smooth color into the sparkles. Think of it like a gradient, it catches the light in a more elegant way that just a heavy dose of all over glitter.

2. Hair

The next best way to enhance your style is to wear a fun and new updo. This is especially useful in the winter months when our outfits can get lost within heavy coats. Keep your style unique by playing around with a fun new and elegant updo. It doesn’t have to be perfect, messy buns and twists have been quite popular this year. This is also a great way to work in a scarf or a large collar from a dress or jacket.

3. Lengths and layers

Those who know me know I adore playing with different textures and lengths. The chilly weather makes it the perfect time of year for layers. Make otherwise short and layered skirts come alive in the winter months by pairing them with tights or leggings and boots. You can keep it soft and feminine by adding sweaters, cardigans, and scarfs or you can add a little attitude by wearing it with a leather jacket. I like the contrast of the shiny, smooth, and sharp angled jacket with the soft and matte flowy skirt. Be warm and fashionable!

Mixing up textures from different fabrics is also a great way to break up the layers. You want to be layered and still show off your figure and outfit, you don’t want to be bulky. Experiment with different silhouettes and styles until you find a combination that works just right for you.

GET THIS LOOK:

Handkerchief Hem Chiffon Skirt available on yesstyle.com
Faux-Leather Biker Jacket available on yesstyle.com

It can also be something more subtle, like a large textured and heavy sweater with a skirt or shorts over tights. When your mixing black with black, texture goes a long way. If you have a top heavy outfit, keep the length of the bottom shorter to keep everything in balance. You want the lengths of each garment to compliment each other, not take over.

This skirt below is the same tennis skirt I’ve worn in a past post. The sweater is one I’ve had for as long as I can remember. In fact, I think it was my friend’s mother’s sweater gifted to me many years ago. As I stated, I’m mixing the old with the new in my closet this year.

4. Studs

Speaking of textures and leather jackets, another great way to to enhance your style is to bring in the studs! You can find them decorating the collars of your shirts, jackets, and skirts, but most especially in your accessories. I’m talking about clutches, big bags, shoes, and bracelets!

5. Moderation, finish what you begin

And Finally, practice moderation by finishing what you begin. I know I’ve seen many fashionable girls spend all this time getting ready to go out, only to return home with their heels in their hand and their heads spinning as they head home with a swagger and not the confident walk they had earlier in the evening.

Plan ahead and enjoy your evening. Imbibe well by having great drinks you can savor, but also keep hydrated and in control. If you know you will be on your feet all night then wear shoes that you can survive in. If you are concerned your shoes aren’t interesting enough then make the rest of your outfit the focus point over your shoes.

If you must wear those gorgeous but painful shoes, then plan on fining a seat to rest your feet. Keep polished and return home in the same strong style you began your night in. Be a professional, not an amateur!