By NASA MARIA ENTABAN
alltherage@thestar.com.my

TIS the season everyone loves – the end of the year! This is when just about everyone is in a good mood and ready to party.

Christmas is just around the corner, while the new year is a mere three weeks away, and you know what that means – lots of parties and get-togethers to dress up for.

Whether it is for the numerous Christmas dinners you’ll share with family and friends or meeting up with relatives back home for the holidays, you’ll want to look your best.

The end of the year is also a great time for weddings and engagement ceremonies, and we’re sure you have a few lined up in the weeks to come. These occasions, too, will require some fancy dressing up and creative thinking.

Holiday excitement is in the air, and at Nasassistic, we’re spreading the joy with a list of choice items you’ll want to have in your wardrobe this month.

The LBD

You can never go wrong with a great little black dress (LBD) because it’s a good choice for year-end events. However, this year try and go with something a little different.

LBDs can be very plain if you’re not sure how to dress them up with the right accessories, so why not get a dress that is already impressive on its own?

For example, check out the new Warehouse Christmas collection for some great ideas for parties and events.

A piece from the Warehouse Christmas Collection

There are quite a number of pretty dresses that will do the trick, and all at various lengths, too.

This is the time to be daring with your clothes, so even if your outfit already has one standout element (eg, a faux ostrich skirt), be brave and throw on a gold belt and gold heels. It is the festive season after all!

A chic purse

On regular days it is perfectly fine to carry around a massive bag. After all, most of us need somewhere to store our wallet, phone, tissues, wet wipes, pens, compact powder, mascara and lip gloss wherever we go.

This month however, clean out your satchels and handbags and take out only what you’ll need for a night out or a dinner party – and then go get yourself a pretty purse.

Chic purses like this one are a must have

There are all sorts of styles out there, from chic cloth pouches with zippers to stylish clip purses to snakeskin clutches, and these will pretty much go with anything you wear.

If you’re strapped for cash and don’t want to splurge too much, look for a quality clutch in a neutral colour that you can match with any outfit, or buy several colours and styles at lower prices.

Statement skirts

The common thing to do when it comes to pairing a skirt with a top is to choose an elaborate top and a plain skirt, but this season calls for a switcharound in this department.

Instead of doing the usual, look for statement skirts that stand out, like the one model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore to the opening of a Burberry store in Paris recently.

Throw on a statement skirt like this one Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is wearing to the opening of a Burberry store in Paris

Seek out patterns in festive colours like gold, silver and red – and don’t be afraid to wear them all at once (just as long as you keep the rest of the outfit simple, you’re good to go!).

Edgy footwear

Apart from fancy outfits and acccessories, you’ll also need a pair of eye-catching shoes on your feet.

Whether you choose a pair of sky-high heels or go for practical ballerina flats, go all out with the flashiness. This season, go beyond lace, animal print and embellishments, and combine them all together!

Yup, it is now acceptable to wear both studs and snakeskin, or lace
and sequins on the same pair of shoes – that is, as long as you stick to just two elements.

Of course if you’re not feeling daring enough, or would rather draw attention to your outfit, you can always skip the studs, spikes, snakeskin and feathers and choose something neutral.