Wrap it up

No doubt, for any girl flipping through foreign magazines in search of outfit ideas for the holidays, the task is often a bust. Thick sweaters, layers and layers of clothes and high prices make typical holiday style impractical for residents living in this tropical clime. Think huge cashmere sweater, long skirt and knee-high boots in 30-degree weather. The only place that outfit works is in a freezing, half-empty theater. What’s a girl to do? No need to attach a sprig of mistletoe to your head for that festive touch just yet.

Forego the thick accoutrements of ski resort fashion. Nothing thicker than a T-shirt works in this muggy weather of ours. Opt for fall’s key colors in dark, rich blues, lush plum and the ever reliable black to get in the mood. And if you’re grabbing a sweater, get it in a thin cottony material. The most un-holiday of accessories are the beads of sweat that are bound to run down your back if you swaddle yourself in thick clothes.

There are many ways to dress up for the numerous holiday parties springing up this season. Pair your jeans with a dressy top and blazer or match a skirt with a pair of knee-high boots for that wintry feel. SM Department Store, the hub of seasonal shopping, has enough winter-inspired paraphernalia to keep even the most extreme of clothing hoarders happy. With clothes ranging from elegant, understated cocktail wear to vintage victorian pieces, everyone's fashion cup will be running over. Mix unexpected pieces in complementary colors and you'll have the perfect outfit that just screams yule joy. The final touch? Greet people on the street with a merry Christmas or happy holidays. The first thing people notice is a cheery smile and good attitude. So chin up and enjoy the season. It only comes around once. Oh, and hold back on the liquor.

Snow motion

Stocking up on high-wattage outfits to dazzle co-workers at the next big work event? Well, try this look on for size. A shimmery jacket with utilitarian straps is offset by elegant pearl buttons. Paired with a silky brown bubble skirt with tights and lace-pattern-edged Victorian boots, it’s spellbindingly classy without being over the top. You might not be the most over-dressed ingénue at the event, but you’ll definitely be turning heads.

Check republic

Forget pretty Florentine prints or excessive florals. A party outfit doesn’t necessarily have to be stuffy. This pink and black checked skirt with an asymmetrical hem shows that you know how to rock like a monkey coated in tinsel. And the boots? They tell people you mean business.

Lady-about-town

Move into a totally different style stratosphere by just adding a jewel-toned top to your skinny jeans. A floral-printed blazer in just the right shade of granny green adds a dash of sophistication, the gold heels, a flash of sex appeal, and the purple clutch, a hint of class. The only thing missing is an equally well-dressed partner.

Old Victoria

One way to dress up a look is to add Victorian elements. A ruffled blouse with pearl clasps adds a vintage charm while lace-trimmed leather boots give it an edge. Pair it with a ruffled asymmetrical skirt and you’ve got the makings of one sweet outfit.

Rough and tumble

The midwestern girl is no longer foreign territory. Black boots and a knee-length brown skirt may spell country rock but a sweet blue vest and and tulle edging add much needed contrast. Holiday fashion doesn't always mean ultra feminine.