Holiday Must Have: The Embellished Jacket

My standard first step when approaching holiday dressing is to add a touch of sparkle and shine to already existing outfits, and this season the best way to begin to get into that holiday style spirit is with the embellished jacket. As you see above, this pretty but otherwise fairly basic fall outfit (blouse, jeans, and boots), turns into something instantly stylish and shoot worthy with the simple addition of the embellished jacket. The eye catching texture and detail that an embellished item brings to an outfit allows you to rely on your basics, that is your staple wardrobe items, to create a comfortable baseline look, and let that statement piece do all the work. The embellished jacket is truly an essential item to have in your holiday wardrobe arsenal. Especially when it comes to transitioning into holiday apparel, this look is sophisticatedly festive and never looks like you are trying too hard… ugly Christmas sweaters be gone… although I must admit I have a soft spot for those too, like this one I’m so close to pulling the trigger on…

Just be sure follow my ever important “3:2:1 Rule”: that’s the 3 layer combination, no more than 2 trends worn at once, and 1 statement piece only in this case it’s your embellished jacket. This is a fashion formula that is inherently chic, polished, put together, pleasing, and insures your #OOTD isn’t designated #OTT.

Need to Master the Art of Thinking in 3’s?
Take my look above: Anything less than 3 clothing pieces is too simple for holidays and lacks a necessary style stamp. Anything over 3 is risky when playing with statement pieces like an embellished jacket or coat. Above, I’ve thrown on my favorite (1) stretch skinny jean and remember blue is an inherently calming-to-the-eye-and-brain color, and a quiet (2) deep hue jewel tone blouse. Over this base goes (3) the embellished jacket which pops and plays with the simple, but similar toned canvas. I’ve pushed it a bit with the boots (given the light heal detail does draw the eye downward a tad) but the wood is neutral and the navy-gray suede material is also neutral, so it ends up working. The Bag is neutral gray and sunglasses, neutral again in black. Because this was photographed right before I was jetting off to a cocktail party in L.A., I  did throw on some statement earrings, knowing that my sunglasses were coming off and in the evening candle light I wanted a little something extra to catch the light around my face. Normally though, I’m a no-earrings girl, and when it comes to embellished jackets that is really all the decking and drippings you’re going to need this holiday.