What’s your style? What’s Your budget? When it comes to fashion, I like to mix classic pieces with something new. Buying clothes and accessories should be an investment to last more than a season. In this advicesisters.com story, I’m suggesting a range of fabulous holiday fashion ideas you can wear (or gift) worthy of a little splurge. They’ll be favorites for years to come.
Sperry Shoes For Boaters & Fashionistas:
my mom on our first sailboat, the Gemini 1, and my twin sister Jessica
One of the first vivid memories I have of my mother is of her using a hand pump to get water out of the bilge of an old, wood, centerboard boat. I envied my parents’ Sperry Topsiders. These boat shoes were authentic: brown leather with leather laces running around the sides up to the top to tie in a knot or bow. Sperry Topsiders were not only cool looking, but they were also (*and still are) essential for keeping your feet secure on the deck.
Sperry is still making the classic topsider-styles, produced since 1935. However, they also make fashion-forward styles of boots, and loafers, and a whole lot more. For this holiday fashion ideas story, I’m suggesting two styles that will spiff up your holidays whether you’re at home or at a party: a 2-eye Animal Print Multi topsider style, and the glam Seaport Penny Rose Gold loafer.
Sperry Rose Gold Penny Loafer:
The penny loafer is a 1950’s classic complete with the slot for a penny. But these are full-grain leather with classic moccasin stitching and a soft rose gold color that can dress up any outfit. The bonus is the seriously comfy leather sock lining with a full-length cushioned memory foam sole. Sperry’s signature Strobel construction makes them flexible, stitched onto a rubber outsole to help you keep your footing, whether on the boat or at a holiday bash. I love the Sperry imprint “Since 1935” on the heels ($70).
The Sperry Cloud Authentic Original 2-eye Animal Print multi ($160) is a boat shoe. But you will wear it to your next holiday party. These shoes also have a cute feature that’s a reminder to sailors. The left and right shoes have different color memory soles. The colors also appear on the back of the shoes. Sailors know that the red right-hand shoe is for “red, right, returning.” When boating, the red channel marker should be on your right (starboard) as you return from open water. The green channel markers should be on your starboard side as you head out into open water on the left. This is such a cute style point.
The boat shoes have classic moccasin construction with 360-degree lacing. The uppers are multi-print pony hair. Flat shoes can sometimes make you slap your feet, but these have a shock-absorbing EVA heel cup so you won’t “slap” The rubber sole has a Razor-Cut Wave-™striping for secure footing on land or sea.
I tested both of these styles out and both were true to size and very comfortable, right out of the box. I received these as editorial samples, but I love Sperry so much, I’m going to buy more of both styles to add to my collection! For more information visit the Sperry Website.
| “Sultanik, Edina” <Edina.Sultanik@sperry.com> |
Fashion-Forward Sunglasses:
I feel like a rockstar with these Remo Tulliani sunglasses
Sunglasses are a must, even in Winter. So make yours a gorgeous fashion accessory and protect your eyes in style with some Remo Tulliani luxurious glasses. This style is called “Trust.” Trust me, I’ve been wear testing them and getting envious looks at the pool. They make a fabulous gift for men or for women. The overall look is classic, 60s era chic.
These sunglasses are lightweight but sturdy. The handmade glass lenses protect from 95% UV and IR so the sun’s harmful rays don’t ruin your eyes or age them prematurely. The mirrored lenses are glass and they look effortlessly cool. Plus they are designed to last. These Remo Tuilliani sunglasses are handcrafted in Italy with sturdy Monel frames, complimenting Grilamid arms and shatter-resistant glass lenses.
Eco-Friendly:
According to Remo Tulliani, the materials were sourced with the intent to reduce the environmental impact Trust sunglasses come in a fabric suede pouch and also with a hard-sided case. You can get the Trust style sunglasses in a variety of colors. The sample I’m wearing are raspberry, a color flattering to every skin tone. The Trust style works for men and women, but there are plenty of other drool-worthy styles on the Remo Tulliani website. This is a gift idea that shows not just good taste, but that you care for their eyes. For more information visit the Remo Tulliani Website.
Colorful Belts For Every Body:
These textiles are one of a kind made into belts
When is a belt not just a belt? When it’s by TAARACH®. Their one-of-a-kind handcrafted belts are special. TAARACH helps to rescue indigenous and small community textile traditions and handcraft techniques by using them in contemporary belts you can wear for any occasion. The company also gives back to communities and helps to support the education of local children.
My Yurankim belt is a great example of how these textiles can be used to make a bright, fashion statement to add new life to an outfit. Mine is red with blue, white, and pink details, and with a silver clasp. What I like about this particular style is that it is elasticized in the front and back between the beautiful embroidery pieces. It will fit almost every waist. The embroidered part of the belt was handmade on a wooden loom by indigenous people from rural areas of the Ecuadorian Andes. . There are so many possibilities with this belt from a little black dress to whittling a waist with a tunic. What will you do with yours?
The packaging is eco-friendly and very nice. My sample arrived in a re-useable wooden box with the Taarach logo on the top,. It’s like getting two gifts in one. No two belts are exactly the same so you will be getting a prized original. There are dozen different styles and colored designs starting at $85 and up For more information visit the TAARACH Website.
Holiday Hair Accessories By BelleFixe:
Accessories are a great way to spiff up an outfit, but hair accessories are hotter than ever this season. When BelleFixe Hair Accessories launched a few months ago, they offered up drool-worthy hair jewelry at reasonable prices. Most people are wearing masks that cover the bottom part of their faces. Doing something festive with your hair is even more important. For the holidays, there are two beautiful collections to dress up your hair no matter what style you prefer: The Luxe & Lace Collection featuring velvet and rhinestones, and the holiday collection is red and white (plus a little bling).
Luxe & Lace:
pieces from the Luxe & Lace Collection (holiday mice & star not included)
For this holiday fashion ideas story my first 2 photos show some of the pieces from the Bellefixe Luxe & Lace Collection. On the left is the black knotted lace headband ($20)–it’s like a crown of lace for your head. Next to it is the Luxe & Lace Bejeweled Headband ($22). One of my new favorites to add just a touch of sparkle is the Luxe & Lace Arrow Clip that I’m wearing in the thumbnail photo ($18), also the Luxe & Lace Mix & Match Pin Stack ($18).
Not shown is the lace and black velvet scrunchie set ($16) black lace and black velvet, a wide black headband, a bejeweled scrunchie, a bejeweled headwrap on ribbons, and two other rhinestone clips.
the Rockettes would really rock BelleFixe’s holiday collection
The photos underneath Luxe & Lace are of the Bellefixe holiday collection. The white and red hair accessories (and two rhinestone-studded bobby pins) remind me of the Rockettes holiday show. I can imagine the world-famous dancers wearing the headband and scrunchie on stage, can’t you? Although the velvety headband and scrunchie are candy-cane colored, they’re going to be fun to wear all Winter, maybe apres-ski, or for skating. This collection is sold as a set in a festive red satin bag with white snowflakes ($30). For more information visit the Bellefixe website.
