Holiday separates

With the holidays right around the corner, there are many events and parties to attend. Before reaching for your favourite dress and party shoes, think of switching it up this season – and mix and match holiday separates. Choosing to mix separates adds a more personal touch to an ensemble. Maybe you want a trapeze silk top, and a skinny pencil skirt. Or a slim sparkle camisole and a skater skirt.Or a voluminous blouse and ankle trousers. Either way, mixing and matching holiday separates is on trend, and is perfect for any holiday event, including work events and New Years Eve. Designers on all levels of the spectrum are creating stunning pieces this season. Design team, Parker, known for the New York City silhouettes, created several holiday pieces this season. Firstly, a drape sequin top. The rows of silver sequin on black chiffon cascade in a geometric pattern down and across the top. This piece would look stunning with a high waisted skater skirt to increase the party feel. The second piece features a sleeveless fitted tank. The illusion neck gives the tasteful top a bit of a soft look from the front, while the back of the piece has an illusion plunge, revealing it to be a much more seductive piece. To show off the back, low rise trousers, possibly patterned, would be necessary. Tory Burch, known for luxurious bohemian style designs, created a more conservative piece with a structure silk top with short sleeves. The pale pink silk is encrusted with bursts of crystal jewels in varying formation. Additionally, crystals line the neck. This piece would be great with dark grey velvet ankle trousers. Proenza Schouler did not disappoint this season, with a show stopping Ostrich feather skirt. The knee length skirt with white, peach, black and pink feathers is a sure way to become the center of attention this holiday season. While Italian designer Marni created an elegant midi length pencil skirt with black crystals in the shape of berry bushes all over the dress. For the holidays, the fashion goddesses are mixing and matching separates to fit their mood. Fashion icon Diane Kruger wore a revealing thigh high slit black chiffon skirt with a daring nude sequin long sleeve top. The old Hollywood feel of the dress was a perfect match for the holiday season. Reality starlet Kim Kardashian, and mom to baby North, wore a crème silk top with an embellished collar. She paired with a bright pink silk tulip skirt. The silk fabric makes it holiday appropriate. Fashion trendsetter Blake Lively kept the separate look classic by pairing a simple sleeveless camisole with a black silk waist peplum skirt. The silk shantung skirt features bursts of black crystals for texture and depth. This trend can be mixed and matched in any way that fits your style. If you like attention, go for a show stopping top and trouser. For a more classic look, take a cue from Blake lively and make one piece simple, with the other piece holiday. Either way – think silk, crystals, feather and sequin. It’s the holidays, so dress up! That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way. Rachel Breaux is an American living in Rwanda.