I love jewelry, real or costume pieces. The pieces must accent the total look. The necklace, earrings, or bracelets are best when they complement each other. Today, we are seeing more and more of a mix including multiple, different items worn together.

The owner of Ikram, a well-known and famous store in Chicago, is always wearing multiple rings. Sometimes all eight fingers are bejeweled! It is her brand, multiple bracelets but no earrings. Whatever is chosen to wear, we want to love and have fun with jewelry.

Recently, I saw the ultimate holiday outfit, patterned coat, hat, scarf and mittens. This person was young and she looked cute.

Holiday wear for some is a tradition and other clothing comes off a bit hokey.

At its best, holiday wear should put a smile on the person who is wearing it and a smile on those who see it. These are a few of my guidelines. One piece is enough for me and my preference is in the color. I love red this time of the year, whether in a scarf, hat or necklace.

Nude pumps are best worn with outfits where a grounding color is not needed for the shoes. For example, when Megan Markle wore a hunter green blouse and leather skirt, nude pumps were the absolute right choice, especially as day wear.

If she had worn a red ensemble, the nude pump would have worked, too. However, recently, a photo of a colleague at an evening event revealed a navy dress with a nude pump that looked lost. A black or dark navy pump would have enhanced the dress. Wearing the nude pump made it look like a day outfit. A nude pump with slacks works best in the same color family.

A current trend is wearing beige or nude pumps with dark dresses. The beige or nude pump has been worn in the last five years with colors in the same family of neutral tones.

Recently, Megan Markle wore a Navy dress paired with a nude pump. Yes, the nude pump will make the leg look longer in some cases. In other situations, the outfit will appear lost. The bohemian look of very loose clothing in various prints and patterns combined is a fad. It will move into a trend only in a modified way.

Shopping on line can be a great time saver when you follow these guidelines:

• Always buy two sizes if in doubt, especially if you’re thinking about a new label or designer
• Know the different sizes outside of the US: UK and European
• Keep the colors simple and coordinate with the current colors in your wardrobe
• Buy with the whole outfit or be sure your wardrobe contains coordinating items
• Always know the return policy guidelines (free returns are a must)
• Shop only at stores that offer free shipping and returns
• Read reviews before purchasing

On a personal note, I followed the above guidelines when I purchased of Taryn Rose shoes. I kept the right size and returned the one that was too big.

Lately, many rules have been broken about style, colors, and patterns. In fact, many styles considered unacceptable not too long ago, are now current! For example, colors that used to seem to clash are the latest hot style trend.

Prints on prints now work instead of just prints with a solid companion color. As always, though, the best style is the one that works for you. Whether you prefer classic and tailored or like to wear the most current threads, wear your clothes with confidence.

It used to be a fashion faux pas to wear hose with open toes sandals and shoes. Now, the public, especially men, have worn hose with sandals for the last five years, especially in Europe. Last year, designers began showing models with sandals wearing open toe sandals with sheer nude hose.

Don’t wear hose with open toe shoes:
• Sheer hose with a reinforced toe
• Contrasting colored hose with the shoe

Do wear hose with open toe shoes
• Sheer choices with no toes
• Sheer choices, sheer toe
• Colors that match the shoe (black with black)

These rules are flexible when wearing slacks.

Prints, patterns, and flowers are making a presence in dresses, blouses, and shirts and in styles big, small, and mix and match separates. I personally prefer other prints, but I do like adding variety to my clothing choices. They way to do that is to select fabrics with texture and pronounced color weaves. If I ever decide to incorporate flowers in my wardrobe, it will most likely be with scarves.

A touch of color does wonders to update a wardrobe including sweaters, ties or jacket colors. Black, navy and any dark hue has become the norm for a wardrobe uniform. Adding a contrasting splash of color creates a more contemporary look. For men, the color can be flashed in a tie, pocket square and even socks. Women have many choices also, especially in jewelry or scarves.

Skin sensitivity has been an issue for me, so relying on cotton, rayon, and silk in clothing choices has been a life saver. I stay away from wools and wear heavier cotton knits and layered items. I select dresses with a high-end polyester combination. Putting on cotton and silk blouses and tops with suits adds a layer of protection to keep wool from contacting the skin.  Touching fabric will help determine its quality. It should be soft, not scratchy, and of a good weight.