Okay, let’s be clear about one thing here — by holiday cardigan we are not referring to those Christmas-tree emblazoned chunky knit sweaters (you know, the one with the snowman buttons) that your Great Aunt Hazel breaks out of the mothballs about this time each year. What we’re talking about is the cute, embellished little cardis we’re seeing everywhere, which we see as the perfect alternative to a wrap or coat, with everything from dresses, pretty camis, skirts (pencil to full) and dressy trousers — did we cover it all?

Color and cut is up to you — but we’d suggest something body conscious (forget chunky knits, this isn’t the Arctic Circle) and with feminine details. Colorwise, this holiday season anything goes — almost literally. There’s the requisite black of course, silvery grays, cream, traditional holiday red — and then there’s sapphire blue, emerald green, deep violet, even pastel pink. Our something-for-everyone-loving hearts are rejoicing as we speak.

Still not sure how to make the cardigan special enough for evening? Some thoughts:

Belt It: Nothing can give a potentially librarian-ish cardi more va-vavoom than cinching in the waist, and, particularly If your chosen sweater already has a little bling built in, this season we’d suggest a skinny belt. The look is modern (we’ve seen it on Rosario Dawson — love.) especially if you pick a skinny belt, and, for evening, some patent shine. And while you can match your belt to your sweater for a monochrome look, don’t be afraid to mix it up (we like deep purple with a pale gray, or silver with black).

Brooch It: Need to kick up your cardigan’s holiday flava, and want the cinched/wrap look without the belt? Try a fab sparkly brooch — wrap the cardi like you’re going to belt it and instead secure it at the waist with a pretty pin. No need to spend a bundle — something like this faceted brooch from Forever21 will do the trick, for less than $7, or, if you want something a little more one of a kind, peruse the offerings at etsy.com.

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