Top 7 Jewelry Trends for Holiday Season

By Devorah Isenberg , Monday, December 19, 2011 3:01 AM

Holiday season is already here, and that means instead of hunkering down with a Snuggie and a mug of tea, you are putting on your highest heels and your go-to little black dress for all kinds of holiday season social events. From the office party, to a gift-wrapping party with your best friends, to dinner with the in-laws, to a New Year’s Eve out on the town, the holiday season can be a fashion pressure cooker. But have no fear—experts recommend that you rely on the same basic wardrobe pieces like that classic LBD, or a nice pair of black pants and a silky top, to get you through all these holiday season social obligations, and then turn to jewelry and accessories to add some much-needed punch to those basic outfits. Here are the top 7 jewelry trends this holiday season - sprinkle a few into your wardrobe for the perfect amount of in-the-know glamour.

1. Satement necklaces have been around for a while, but this year, they’re making an even more bold statement by being layered two or even three at a time. For necklace-layering novices, try wearing a short, heavily embellished necklace along with a longer pendant necklace that shares a similar design motif. For more advanced jewelry lovers, take a page out of Sarah Jessica Parker’s book. At the premiere for her recent movie New Year’s Eve, the fashion icon layered two equally bold necklaces that shared a similar muted gray color palette with her printed dress. The result—a complex, interesting, but still refined look.

    

2. Although right now they may remind of the 1990’s, and not in a good way, believe it or not, choker necklaces are back. As seen on the Max Azria and Michael Kors fall runways, sleek chokers are being paired with equally minimalistic sheath dresses for an eye-catching, futuristic look. To avoid looking severe, tone down the runway look by pairing the chokers with soft, tousled waves instead of the slicked-back hairstyles seen on the models.

    

3. Although this look is a classic stretching back to the golden days of Old Hollywood, it’s never been more current than it is now. Pairing a bold red dress with as many diamonds (real or faux) as you can pile on is a gorgeous, feminine look that flatters every figure and face. Plus, the color combination is completely festive and holiday-appropriate without being over-the-top or cheesy. Just ask Anne Hathaway—the A-list star wears Valentino red with diamond earrings and necklaces to nearly every red carpet event.

    

4. Many holiday parties take place on weekday evenings, leaving you with that classic quandary of how to dress for work and then look festive and party-ready come happy hour. Solve that problem once and for all by wearing a simple dress or skirt-and-top combination to work, and then adding a sparkling hair accessory before heading to the party. Decorative hair accessories, from feather-embellished headbands to rhinestone barrettes, are huge this holiday season, and they look good on everything from short curly hair to long, flowing locks.

    

5. The Pantone Color Institute, the world’s foremost authority on al things color-related, has declared that 2012’s official hue is Tangerine Tango, a sunny, bright orange-red. Although you will probably want to wear this fun tone head to toe come spring, for now, you can use it sparingly to add punch to your neutral winter ensembles. Pick up a cocktail ring in this bold color—you can choose from orange topaz, oxblood coral, or even amber—and use it to dress up even the simplest outfit.

    

6. Although dresses and skirts will always be an instant ticket to looking put together at a party, you can look just as fashionable and festive in pants. In fact, menswear-inspired looks dominated the fall runways and have begun to show up on celebrities on the red carpet too. If you are not ready to rock a head-to-toe menswear look like a tuxedo suit, channel the trend with some men’s jewelry inspired accessories, like a chunky watch that could have been swiped from your husband’s wrist, or a feminine silky white blouse anchored with masculine cufflinks.

    

7. The holiday season’s hottest movie has no elves, Christmas trees, or sappy family reunions. Add some much-needed edginess to all the glitter and fluff common to holiday season fashion by channeling the punk-rock style of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo herself. Without taking the look too far and frightening children, you can punk up your look with a tough-looking leather bracelet, a hand full of rings, or just a necklace with a single, sleek-looking pendant.