Ring in the new year with a bit of bling!
Get 2005 off to a great start with a great dress and fabulous accessories. Judy Gordon highlights some sizzling celebratory looks
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Judy Gordon The 'Today' show Style Editor • Profile • E-mail |
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You've made your list and checked it twice and now it's time for something nice ... for yourself!
New Year's Eve is right around the corner, and what better time to shimmer and shine?
Whether you give Santa some last-minute instructions or scoop up a bit of sparkle on your next shopping run, we've put together some wonderful buy-now suggestions to turn your end-of-the-year celebration into a truly glittering evening.
It's all here in this special edition of our weekly fashion and beauty update.
Dress up 
Combine lace with metallic and you’ve got yourself the perfect New Year’s Eve party dress. And if you get it knee-length, it’s a dress that you can wear to other special occasions throughout the year. A neutral or soft color is classic and the easiest to accessorize. Play up the metallic in the dress by adding a handbag and shoes in the same color. Simple!
Trend Tip:
If you want to push the trend, choose a dress with a bow and add high-heel strappy sandals. If you favor a more classic look, pair a gold cardigan sweater with low-heel gold sling backs. They are perfect together!
Top of the line
The easiest way to dress up for a special night right now is to pick up a pretty new top that you can pair with everything from jeans to evening trousers. No need to reach for black — the latest looks are heavily embellished, but the twist is that you’ll find them in lovely pale colors like peach, lavender, pink and blue. (The same goes for evening dresses, by the way). We love feminine little T-shirt styles with darts and seaming to add shape — they’re low-key but luxe!
Trend Tip:
Small-busted women can opt for halter or V-neck tee styles. Women who are more generously endowed will find square or crew neck styles more flattering. And if you want to cover your arms, a stylish option would be an off-the-shoulder long-sleeved top.
Diamond girl 
Is there anything better than finding a pair of drop-dead gorgeous diamond earrings under the Christmas tree? Well, if Santa didn’t leave a few 20-carat gems, join the crowd. Instead, we mere mortals turn to rhinestones to provide our bling. The shape to own right now is the long, lean, head-turning strand or tier of glittering beads. Classic “white” rhinestones are trendier than color mixes, and the bonus is that they will go with everything you own.
Trend Tip:
Pick your “spots” and add one or two key accessories, but make them large and “important.” For example, wear a great pair of earrings with a glittering handbag — or earrings with a bracelet or cocktail ring (not both) — and then stop! No need to cause a traffic accident.
Boot up 
If you haven’t picked up a pair of this season’s must-have, jewel-encrusted shoes or sandals, do so now! (You may even find them on sale!) You will wear them for dressy occasions for years to come. We have another suggestion for your festive footwear however — the oh-so-fabulous jeweled boot. Not only are they chic, they’ll also keep your feet toasty warm should you be planning to watch an outdoor fireworks display or take in a midnight spectacular.
Trend Tip:
Glitzed up sporty boots are super-trendy right now, and you can wear them day or night. Depending on your lifestyle, they might be a better option than high-heeled dressy boots.
Bag it!
In a rush? Can’t find the perfect dress? Update last year’s look, your favorite black dress or any neutral outfit with a colorful, glitzy handbag. For the latest trendy touches, choose a handbag with a chain handle, a satin bow and splashes of metallic in silver or gold. Since the trend is to mix day and evening looks, an embellished handbag works just as easily with jeans as it does with formal gowns.
Trend Tip:
You can update last year’s evening handbag by adding a brooch. The dressiest and most festive look would be a rhinestone brooch. Just make sure the fabric on the handbag can take it.
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Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.
firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.
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