Guest Blogger: Brooke from Belts and Bangles

Next up is Brooke from Belts and Bangles! Here is her take on holiday attire!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: 4 Fashionable Ways to be Festive Without Looking Tacky

One thing I love most about the holidays is the opportunity to get fun and festive with a variety of Christmas-themed attire that makes each day feel a little more spirited. That's why some of my favorite Christmas activities include ugly Christmas sweater parties to really cheese it up with gaudy and overly decorative holiday wear. Although this can be fun for a party where you're supposed to look tacky, it's not exactly as charming in the real world. To show off your festive side without making a fashion faux pas this season, check out these four festive fashion ideas.

1. Accessorize

Adding a festive pair of earrings to a basic outfit is always a tasteful and adorable way to give your look a little Christmas sparkle without looking like someone just decked your halls. Claire's has an awesome variety of festive earrings at affordable prices, with everything from chic and sophisticated ornament earrings to cute, sparkly reindeer earrings. For lazy winter days, put on some colorful red and green hair accessories to make your hair look effortlessly and beautifully styled.

2. Choose Muted Hues

Being festive doesn't mean you have to wear blindingly bright shades of red and green just to capture a Christmasy feel. Instead, you can maintain sophistication while celebrating the holidays with more muted hues like maroons and forest greens. Winter whites are always a great choice for looking festive and elegant, but more subtle creams are even better for avoiding an overly loud look.

3. Shimmer Over Sparkle

Like most girly girls, I'm a big fan of sequins and sparkles to create an outfit that dazzles from across the room. However, glitter can sometimes be too dramatic and quirky for professional holiday get-togethers. Fortunately, you can still maintain a more subtle shine by looking for shimmer over sparkle. For example, you can wear a shimmery pair of tights for an eye-catching accent to a contrasting skirt, or top off your outfit with a shimmering scarf to brighten up your look without the glare.

4. Velvet

Inspired by Old St. Nick's red velvet suit, this material is a great way to show off your Christmas spirit without looking like you fell into a box of Christmas decorations. Although red and green would both be appropriate for this material, you can take a more subtle approach with blue or black velvet for a look that's still wintertime ready without veering toward kitschy. Since velvet is a very unique material, make sure to balance it out with basic items like a black blazer or black tights to keep it classy.

Even though holiday fashion adds a fun spin to your wardrobe, you don't want to get too carried away with your festive look. These four subtler ideas can keep your Christmas spirit alive and make you stand out from the crowd in a good way. When in doubt, make sure to take notes at your next ugly sweater Christmas party for some good advice on what NOT to wear.