It’s funny how most of what we love about this time of year brings on a seemingly equivalent amount of stress. We love the home-baked shortbread cookies, holiday parties and
festive beauty looks, but can’t stand the hours of prep that goes into this most festive time of year—nor do we have the time for it.

So, in the spirit of the season, we’re skipping the guesswork and enlisting celeb stylist Jenny Ricker’s expert holiday style advice on how to look fabulously festive from your desk to your holiday soirée to the cab ride home.


Day to night fashion tip: Consider a classic palette

As the holiday party e-vites roll in, are the only silver and gold you own that glitter shadow from Halloween and a roll of tin foil? Before you start getting crafty, comb your closet for the absolute basics to create a classic holiday look. “A great way of looking festive without going overboard is sticking to a colour palette of black, white, grey, and silver and gold,” says Ricker.

More good news: “I think wearing a lot of green and red can feel a little overdone.” Try your favourite LBD with a great sparkly statement necklace layered overtop. “A neutral colour palette is always chic and metallics are a great way of being fashionably festive.”

Day to night fashion tip: But embrace colour too!

A bold pop of colour is a sneaky way to update your minimalist office look—think cherry red or add some dazzling sequins to the mix as our holiday fashion tip. “A great way of adding variety to your holiday wardrobe is with stockings since it’s cold outside anyhow,” suggests Ricker. Especially with this of time year, the more—pattern, colour, texture—well, the merrier. “I love the idea of maximizing the use of your great LBD with textured and decorative stockings from Wolford, Hue or House of Holland— they have different textures, like crochet, lace, and patterns—stars, I especially love.”


Holiday party fashion tip: Top 12 LBDS this season


For more stylish ways to transition from the office to your holiday party look, read on…

korscanvas.jpgDay to night fashion tip: Be prepared to add fun extras

Plan your wardrobe to quickly go from the office to post-work candy cane cocktails. “I suggest going to work in a great pencil skirt with blouse, suit or versatile dress and changing your shoe and bag at office,” says Ricker. “You can also always add a statement necklace or a smoky eye or a pop of colour to your lip. Any of these quick fixes are easy to take to work and can totally change your look.”

Pack a bag of key holiday staple pieces to stash under your desk in case of last-minute invites.

Day to night fashion tip: This season’s on-trend look

This was the year of the pantsuit, and it should be top of mind when you’re thinking about a bold holiday fashion look. “A really awesome holiday or New Year’s look for women right now is a great tailored suit or tuxedo,” explains Ricker. “That [suit] with hair swept back and a strong lip is easy to put together and effortlessly sexy and festive.” But the rules against two-timing an outfit still apply. “I try to limit how much I repeat an item of clothing or accessory if it has a bold pattern or colour. But with more muted pieces, I feel comfortable re-wearing even in the company of someone who has seen me in it recently.”

Day to night fashion tip: Wrap it up with a perfect coat

Like a perfectly wrapped present sealed with a silk bow, packaging is everything during the holidays. Same goes for overlaying your party outfit with a beautiful oversized coat this season when making an entrance. “Make sure whatever coat you wear out, you feel good in it,” cautions Ricker. “I was in Manhattan recently and literally did not take off my coat all night one night. I felt so silly for the 45 minutes I spent trying to put together a great outfit that no one even saw!” Presentation is everything this year, folks.

Jenny Ricker is a celebrity stylist with Starworks Artists.

Read more:
Holiday beauty: Party lips
Holiday party shoes
Top 6 looks from our favourite holiday movies
Top 10 oversized coats this season