Accessories

The weather outside may be frightful but dressing like a ragamuffin in the midst of a long winter is a major no-no. Of course, not all cold-weather accessories are wooly and cumbersome — far from it! — which is why our picks are both functional and playful.

Aside from the obvious things we love about this time of year — gift giving, parties, and post-holiday sales — we also love the crop of amazing holiday movies premiering, and this season we’re particularly jazzed for Nine. This new musical, starring a hot crop of female stars — and Mr. Daniel Day-Lewis — is a cinematic wonderment of dancing, singing and amazing costumes

Be it amethysts, diamonds or pearls, fake or faux, platinum or gold, earrings or neck adornments, there are so many ways to get festive with jewellery this holiday season. With so many choices and styles abound, almost anything goes, though the key to getting the jewelled look right is to avoid wearing it all at once

No matter how great we are at shopping, help is always welcome. In our attempt to cover the bases for nearly everyone on your list, we scoured through on and off-line stores for gifts sure to please even the pickiest recipient.

There is no other time of year where sequins and glitter is the norm when dressing up for a party. This season the runways were beaming with embellished ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, so there are more options than ever to add some shine to your holiday wardrobe at every price. Adding some glitz to your outfit does not mean head-to-toe, though. A simple accessory can make your outfit shine.

As Fashion Director for LOFT, Alia Ahmed-Yahia works directly with the LOFT design team to interpret runway trends and develop the styles that wind up on women like us. In short, she’s a fashion translator. Based in New York City, Alia believes that fashion is for everyone, just in different interpretations. Her work is proof that being stylish does not necessarily mean having a large budget, but rather an understanding of how to adapt trends and complementary silhouettes into a well-rounded, fashion-forward wardrobe.

Tartan plaid is one versatile print. It can look preppy, punk, classic, cowgirl and grunge depending on how it’s paired, the colour pattern and, of course, who’s wearing it. Celebs like Gwen Stefani are known for their penchant for plaid and it’s no wonder. It’s evergreen and virtually trans-seasonal

They say clothes make the man, but handbags make the real statement. And despite this sagging economy, the ultimate fall staple with the most bang for the buck is no doubt the handbag. This season’s options come in various shapes and sizes, but one surprise may be the trend of neutral colours.

Forgetting colouring and cutting — the easiest way to get out of a hair rut is with a hair accessory. Be it a feather, flower, or cluster of jewels, any length or style can go from ho-hum to Hollywood in an instant with one of these toppers.

Come October and its festivities galore! Clearly the idea that less is more is thrown out the window-from top to toe! In fact, designers took embellishments to a new level and adorned footwear with studs, sparkles, sequins, and spikes, all of which was visible on the runways and is popping up on flats and heels alike.