The next few weeks are the social blitz of the year, and “I have nothing to wear” is a resounding refrain.  If the event is a ball, only a ball gown will work.  But for many holiday occasions you can skip a trip to the mall and find festive fashion options hidden in your own closet.

 Start with a search  for everyday pieces with untapped party potential.  Pull out classic pieces in solid colors – trousers, skirts, silky blouses and cuddly sweaters.  Fabrics with fluid drape, subtle shine or glitter, lacy details  or soft, touchable textures are easiest to dress up.

 Pick garments in holiday colors, but define that color palette broadly:

• Black is basic, but by no means the only option.
• Berry and wine tones can be as festive as classic Christmas red.
• Include hunter and deep sage in your definition of holiday greenery.
• Winter white adds sophisticated elegance to nearly any outfit.
• Silvery grays  offer an unexpected icy option.
• Nearly any blue shade can suggest snowflakes and icicles .
• Even brown has a festive air when combined with gold of copper accents. (Our St Louis History Museum decorates for the holidays in thiswarm palette and looks it gorgeous!)

Sometimes a simple update can transform  a garment from everyday to holiday:

 Swap a leather or fabric-covered belt for  a wide ribbon sash.  Hand-sew a lace edging to the underside of a jacket’s collar or the inside of a skirt’s hem. Carla replaced ordinary plastic buttons with lacy metallic ones for a seasonal sparkle. You might choose pearl or glittery ones for your own project.

 Assemble accessories next.  Look for items that shine, gleam or sparkle.  

• Jewelry pieces with glitz or glow – the more the merrier – instantly add party presence. 
• Scarves with metallic accent threads can tie color schemes together. 
• Oversized pashmina shawls up the drama quotient of any outfit. 
• Lightweight, strappy high-heels  take daytime garments in a dressier direction.
• Can’t handle the heels?  Substitute dressy flats instead.
• A small, sleek bag can carry your essentials, but still keep your look light and elegant.  Don't have one?  We've occasionally improvised with a brocade drawstring pouch (the one the client's pearl necklace came in) or even a gold metallis snap-shut eyeglass case with a ribbon strap added.

Now you’re ready for the “paper-doll” process – laying out combinations of these garments and accessories to test various looks. 

Here are some combinations we created in clients’ closets the holiday season:

Julie's pale gray lightweight trousers and a coordinating shell with subtle shine form the foundation for her festive look.We added a swingy sweater-jacket in a delicious burgundy, draped one tail dramatically over her opposite shoulder and anchored it with a glittery pin.  Add CZ stud earrings, a dressy shoe and sequined clutch and she was all set for the neighborhood  cocktail party. 

Suzanne's basic camel sweater and chocolate brown skirt also get a holiday treatment.  A pashmina in warm copper-y tones and metallic threads is the transforming accessory, and bronze leather shoes (that she can also wear with daytime looks)  reinforce the after-5 message.  (Stifle the fear that a shawl is too dramatic for you; drape it around your shoulders and catch it in the crook of your elbows for instant panache).  The gloss of color-toned pearls in an unusual zigzag configuration completes her look.

Paired with winter white pants, Sandi's draped blue sweater is perfect for her office party. Layered pearl and crystal necklaces create drama and integrate the look by repeating the bottom color at her neckline.  Cream-colored shoes in pearlized leather maintain the dressy theme.  The whole look says festive without being suggestive.  We used extenders and combined several of her necklaces end-to-end for enough length with the cowl neckline.

What party-perfect combinations can you build from the garments and accessories you already own??  I'd love to see pictures.