Holiday Fashion

Holiday fashion can feel a little too predictable — red and green, lots of sequins, and a hearty helping of plaid. The trick to not dressing like a foregone conclusion is in reinventing the way you style your seasonal pieces. If you're in need of a fresh set of eyes to help you do so, look through J.Crew's lenses — the genius styling team provides a few fresh twists that are well worth adopting (like, right now) and wearing from work to your holiday parties or out to a festive dinner with friends. It's a nuanced take on the holiday dress code that's ultrachic and ultraeasy to style up on your own. Relying on clever pops of red, classic camel, a touch of tartan, and some well-placed sparkle, this styling how-to may just help you rethink holiday dressing altogether. Click on for a peek at J.Crew's holiday looks — and our styling tips, so you can, indeed, try this at home.

Inevitably holiday excitement gives way to holiday anxiety over present buying and outfit planning — but at least we can help you with the latter. To make scoring your cocktail party dress or festive (not ugly) sweater that much easier, we've visited a few of our favorite retailers, all of which happen to be having some very well-timed, major sales. Inside, we're doing our part to keep up the holiday cheer with 16 party-ready finds that are also awesomely discounted. You can get that faux fur vest you've had your eye on and that peplum-trimmed cocktail dress, and maybe that sequined dress for your New Year's party, too. Click on to score big with a few of our favorite sale items for the season.

The only thing better than finding your ideal holiday cocktail look is finding it all on sale. And that's just what we've done: scouted out the best deals on the pieces begging to be worn to all your holiday engagements. Plus, we styled them up in one ensemble so good you might just wear it on your big NYE date or to that Christmas party where you just might bump into your ex. The bonus (aside from the deep discounts) is that fact that any of these items is a worthy purchase on its own. If you're not in the market for the whole ensemble, then shop just what you need: a head-turning LBD? Check. A pair of go-with-anything, wear-them-everywhere black pumps? A sleek tuxedo blazer to jazz up every cocktail-party ensemble? Check and check. And, of course, if you're in need of a head-to-toe look to get you through your crazed holiday party schedule in high style (and at low cost), just step inside to shop the whole thing.

We spend all year drooling over the best of the best, so is it any wonder that when the holidays finally roll around we set our sights high? Yes, we know we'll never really get that Chanel surfboard or that solid gold iPhone case, but you know what they say: dreaming is free. So on that note, here it is: our if-money-were-no-object, pie-in-the-sky wish list for holiday 2012.

Where Winter accessories are concerned, the snood is king. Call it what you will — circle scarf, infinity scarf — by any other name it's just as cool. Why exactly? Scarves are a staple, yes, but the snood is quickly gaining popularity in our closets for its unmatched functionality. Because it's just one easy piece, it's that much easier to throw on in a hurry without worrying if you've tied or knotted it just the right way. It really does the work for you — add it on as a final layer for cozy comfort or just plain style (we're not judging). In supple, begs-to-be-touched furry finishes or in sweet knits and eye-catching prints and patterns, these pieces make it that much more possible to give your cold-weather outfit a cool-girl finish. Just click on to see why we're a little snood-obsessed as of late, and shop 11 of our favorites.

Celebrities have a million excuses to dress up — another premiere, another red carpet, another dinner, or award show — so who better to cull a little party-dressing inspiration from? We've had our eye on this pack of glamazons, like Olivia Palermo, Brooklyn Decker, and Ashley Madewke, making the rounds in sparkly cocktail dresses, peplum-trimmed sheaths, and even a jumpsuit or two (more on that inside!) as they've hit their respective events. Now, we're giving you a monthlong recap on their gorgeous ensembles to repurpose for your most eventful time of the year. Hoping to nail down your look for the big office party? Or seeking out the perfect little party dress for your best friend's fete? Click on for 31 days of holiday-party material, all courtesy of some very fabulously, festively attired celebs.

— Additional reporting by Brittney Stephens

The holidays put a lot of pressure on us all — finding the perfect gift, hosting the perfect party . . . finding the perfect outfit. Of course, what's perfect for you may not be for your sister or your best friend, and that's especially true when it comes to your holiday attire. Obviously, we're all built a little differently, and while that's what makes us all so wonderfully beautiful and unique, it's easy to forget when we're sifting through rack after rack of glittery, sequined cocktail dresses and wondering why we haven't found the right one. Holiday accoutrements and festive hues aside, your perfect holiday dress (or jumpsuit!) should be made to flatter you. That's where we come in; we're tackling the party-dress search at a body-conscious angle and looking at the issue from all sides. So whether you're athletic, curvy, pear-shaped, or straight and narrow, we've picked our favorite holiday-perfect pieces for your body — and explained just why they work. Keep clicking to see and shop the best party looks for your body right here.

Gift-giving is never an easy feat, especially when it comes to finding that perfect present for your fashion friends. You know, the ones who stand in line for the latest H&M designer collaboration, the ones who scour eBay for past-season exclusives, the ones who would gladly give up their right arm to meet Karl Lagerfeld . . . you get the gist. Instead of giving them a Zara or Barneys gift card this holiday, we culled 12 amazing picks that will surely impress the Manolos off their feet. From the ultimate statement necklace to the must-have timepiece, shop our amazing finds now.