Holiday hues

If there is one time of the year when everyone is in an unusually good mood, it would have to be the Holidays. Though there are some who declare, "I’m not a Christmas person" or "I really do not feel the spirit of Christmas," come December, everybody (and we say this with emphasis!), begins to feel the infectious mood of the season. This includes even the most jaded of individuals. People start working on Christmas lists, making mental notes on presents they plan on getting for their dear ones and planning reunions and parties with family and friends. Noche buena, dinner parties and a succession of nights jumping from one celebration to the next remind us that Christmas, is indeed, the most joyful of seasons.

The weather is perfect as the morning breeze makes us want to cuddle up under the sheets all day long. Of course, if you have to be on the road by 8 a.m., you’ll have to settle for warm chocolate and peppermint to-go. Going around town, despite the horrible traffic conditions, is not as dreadful as it would usually be since the promise of finding the perfect presents makes us feel like Santa’s elves on a mission. Whether you shop in advance or, just like most of us, purchase everything just a few hours before Christmas Eve, it still feels somehow good to know that you are going through that much trouble all for the spirit of giving. Besides, no tree is complete without presents wrapped in tinsel underneath. Bright lights, décor on just about every street and yuletide songs playing in stores or on the radio make one feel like an excited child once again.

You’ll have to credit Christmas for painting the town red. And green. And all the other colors that evoke that fuzzy, warm feeling of giving and being (as creepy as this may sound) generally nice to everyone – both strangers and friends. As we get ready for the jubilant nights ahead, we pick out pieces in colors that express and embody the essence of Christmas. No, you do not want to look like an ornament or a present wrapped in recycled paper. Neither do you want to blend right into the pine tree that stands in all its grandeur. So, we choose pieces in interesting shades, uniquely embellished and patterned to fit right into the one month when every night is one big party. We collaborate with Shu Uemura chief makeup artist Xeng Zulueta and give you a crash course on the basic color palette for the season with this year’s Moondrops Collection. Achieve that light luster with Shu Uemura’s Aqua Cool palette as it combines shadows in iridescent beige, pearlized moss green, metallic blue and matte brown. Texture takes centerstage in the Aurora Pearl palette – iridescent pinks, sandy beige, metallic lilac and matte purple all in one compact. Here are our picks of holiday hues that will definitely bring out the holiday spirit in you.

Many are hesitant about wearing purple. First, there’s the common notion that this particular color may appear rather melancholic as opposed to a fiery red piece. Others also tend to feel that purple is far from being the new black. Surprisingly, this deep and lush shade is this season’s favorite in cuts that are subtle yet absolutely stunning. Yvonne Bennetti, fabric designer for Cavalli, Blumarin and Etro, plays up her collection of sophisticated cocktail dresses with monochromes and just the right amount of embellishment for added texture. Look fab in a pleated tube number and bring with you a light coat a few shades darker. Comfy cover-ups and slouch sweaters, as seen in Stella McCartney’s Winter 2005 collection, inspires this ensemble. Wear it on chilly nights or flaunt those shoulders by revealing from underneath a piece that clings beautifully around one’s waist, emphasizing one’s cinched waist while elongating the body in soft pleats.

The little black dinner dress, according to Mainbocher, "is designed to move happily anywhere, literally everywhere in the world." Never was there a time anyway that it was shoved deep at the back of our closets. In any case, the cooler months will prove that black is, without doubt, the most popular choice. What makes every Fall/Winter collection highly-anticipated to many is the innovative ways by which black makes its presence in the color palette felt. Every year, we see how the little black dress, timeless as it is, takes on a multitude of shades, patterns and silhouettes. It has gone from sleek to voluminous, tailored to draped, Victorian-inspired to Retro. This year, fashion instigators like Gucci breathe more texture into the little black dress, embellishing it with dark embroidery. It’s all about texture when talking about this classic and whether you’re dressing to impress or simply in the mood for some good old Holiday fun, you can definitely rely on this number to stand out – even in the dark. Proper play in proportion highlights the female form. Volume, as it makes a grand entrance in this season’s catwalks, paves the way for a vast selection of silhouettes. Labels like Donna Karan, Lanvin and Yves Saint Lauren present to the fashion fore tulips skirts that express femininity, frisk and, too some degree, pomp. In a brilliant shade of lime, this piece is played down when worn with a satin, haltered top in matte gold. A sleek bodice that clings snuggly onto the waist while emphasizing the shoulders and collar bone, this will certainly flatter one’s figure when worn with a flouncy bottom. In this two-piece ensemble, you’re sure to be the life of the party.

A playful empire-cut dress in chiffon is reflective of the gal whose passion lies in vintage-inspired pieces. In warm hues like tangerine, deep brown and fiery yellow, you can consider this your alternative to the overly-used red number during the Holidays. A little rococo is what this dress expresses. Minimal details like silver emblems engraved with intricate patterns add nostalgic feel to the piece. Shades that bring to mind visions of a lovely sunset suggest the promise of long nights filled with celebration. Chiffon allows one to move freely as the bottom in deep brown gracefully stirs with every turn. Be the wild child in this dress, the young lady with a free-spirit, the kind who veers away from the unconventional in her own distinct style.

Evening dresses with subtle details on the neckline make for a sleek piece this season. As the runways for the season were dominated by details – silver elements as executed by Dolce and Gabbana in their evening gowns – we add shimmer to a rather dark ensemble while veering away from too much bling. The piece is all about balance, symmetry and most importantly, the expression of understated style. In soft fabrics that naturally cling to one’s hips, you find the perfect dress that is both timeless and elegant. Inspired by art déco Le Mondrian-inspired cut-outs, this number could just as well be a conversation piece in itself. Better yet, be the belle of the ball.