Free People's latest lookbook fare, titled Stage Right, is just another excuse to keep the holiday styling inspiration at an all-time (dreamy) high, and we're more than OK with that. Here's the thing: we've come to expect nothing less than effortlessly cool combos from the bohemian-luxe brand, which regularly makes us wish we layered up in flowy maxi dresses, oversize cardigans, fringed skirts, and wool fedoras. This time around, though, Free People is doing what it does best — juxtaposing ultrafeminine silhouettes with a tougher tomboy attitude — with a timely holiday slant. And, without spoiling the prettiness ahead, let's just say, you'll be prepped with the essentials for any gorgeous cocktail party. Think metallics, lace, sequins, floral appliqué, and soft open-knit weave details. Below, find our top three picks — culled straight from the November lookbook — with our own styling tips, then click through for the rest.

• How fresh is this delicate white lace top, accented with black suspenders? It's a playful juxtaposition of sweet and airy (done the wintry way, of course) with just a hint of a tough-girl vibe. To us, this is Free People at its core, pretty and just a little undone. Our styling suggestion? Just add cropped black trousers and a point-toe pump.
• We're a little bit obsessed with the brand's just-debuted FP shoe collection, and these sexy lace-up moto boots are the cool-girl offset to your more festive feminine pieces. Pair these boots with a looser-fighting midi-length skirt and chunky bobbled knit sweater, or wear them over dark skinny jeans.
• Brave enough to don gold embellished pants? Then try on this statement-making pair if you dare. All you'll need to complete the look are a simple silky blouse and ankle-strap pumps.

Source: Free People

The sexiest, the flirtiest, and the most demure iterations of Spring lace have made the seasonal switch, and all you have to do is look a little closer to see just how expertly this openwork fabric has transitioned into Winter-wearable pieces. Most recently, Kerry Washington stepped out at the AMAs in a bright yellow lace Stella McCartney midi-length dress, which we could easily envision styled up with a tweedy, fur-collared coat and slingback heels. If you're looking for inspiration that's geared toward the holiday scene, Breaking Dawn Part 2 costars Kristen Stewart and Ashley Greene both put their own spin on edgier black lace ensembles (gloves included). Or, if what you really want is a seriously beautiful confection perfect for New Year's Eve, Halle Berry's silver Dolce & Gabbana number at the Cloud Atlas premiere in LA is the clear winner. Herein find the current (and best) celeb-inspired lace looks, and you can shop our editors' key picks at the end of the slideshow.

Because our holiday schedules mean we've got only moments to spare when we're running home from the office and then out to our respective parties, dressing for events becomes more of a chore than the fun task we think it should be. Instead of having the time to prep our favorite party wear, we're stressing over what we can throw on to get out the door in a flash. We're here to set you straight — being efficient and looking great don't have to be mutually exclusive, especially when you plan ahead. To play it smart, we've narrowed it down to three of our favorite closet essentials that are easy to take from daytime on the job to our after-hours parties. Chances are you already have each of these pieces in your closet, but to help you work out the details and inspire your best holiday looks yet, you'll want to click through for all the styling and day-to-night shopping.

Rihanna's always a big experimenter with fashion, and her latest turn on the red carpet in London was no different. The singer made an appearance at Westfield in London to switch on the inaugural Christmas lights, donning a structured oversize blue coat from Raf Simons and a striped top and pants straight off Acne's Spring '13 menswear runway collection. Not many women can pull off wearing actual men's clothing, but we think the performer pretty much nailed the cool menswear vibe. To temper her oversize proportions, Rihanna kept her look clean with a sharp collared Simons button-down layered underneath her striped top and finished off her look with suede point-toe pumps, gorgeous gold statement rings, a cool coif, and her signature red lips. Take a closer look at her outfit in the slideshow and tell us what you think about her statement stripes in the comment section below.