TORONTO — ’Tis the season to step out in style.
With the holidays approaching, many are finding their social calendars stacked with after-hours events, from office shindigs to cocktail parties and upcoming New Year’s celebrations.

A trio of experts from the worlds of fashion, makeup and hair care weigh in on hot looks for the holidays from head to toe.
THE CLOTHES
Concerns over the turbulent economy may be leading some fashionistas to curtail their spending this season. But cutting back on the amount you shell out for clothes and accessories doesn’t mean style has to go out the window.
“It’s a difficult period, but on the other hand, we are lucky that more than ever, there are so many affordable retailers where you can go and find pieces that are fun and they are not expensive,” said Claude Laframboise, editor-in-chief of LouLou magazine.
“I think it’s still important to have this desire to feel and look great and feel festive about the holidays. I think it’s being realistic about how much money you spend versus the pleasure you get out of it.”
Laframboise, a former fashion stylist, said changing a woman’s look can be done with one affordable piece, and pairing it with basics that transition from work to the party.
For example, a tuxedo-type or tailored black jacket will take you from day to night, he said. You can wear it to work with crisp white shirt, which you can trade for a lace camisole at night.
“A nice tailored black jacket can take you to something dressy and formal but can be fun with jeans and funky heels,” he said from Montreal.
Laframboise said a really popular fabric emerging for this season is the always eye-catching satin.
“Maybe women that are a bit more into trends will wear it during the day ... but it still has this connotation that it’s like a party fabric, that it shines and is glamorous,” he said. “A fun satin top in jewel tone is always going to have a festive feel with it.”
Lace has also seen a resurgence. A structured or tailored shirt made out of the delicate material would be a “cool piece for holiday,” Laframboise said.
When it comes to stylish add-ons, Laframboise said going forward to spring, retailers have invested heavily in accessories, aware that may more people will be more careful about spending.
The “it” accessory this season has been the big, chunky statement necklace. But another add-on that lends an instant touch of style is an eye-catching shoe, he said.
“You could basically be in your black skirt-suit that you’re wearing during the day with a nice pump, and if you just change your pantyhose to something with a bit of shimmer and you go for a glam shoe, then right away you look dressed up just because (of) your shoe,” he said. “It sort of sets the tone.”

THE HAIR
A fashionable ’do is an integral part of the holiday look, whether your locks are short or long.
Those seeking to give their hair a boost before heading out to the after-work bash should have a curling iron and some support product handy, said Jo-Anne Dicken, artistic team leader at AG Hair Cosmetics.
The 1930s and Art Deco era have been an inspiration for AG’s red carpet-inspired looks for the holidays.
The “Posh” look is their take on the 30s-inspired “victory rolls” but with a more modern twist in that the ends are left free with a lot of texture, said Dicken.
To get the look:
— After making a deep side part, isolate a triangle section that goes from the top of the head and then back out towards the face;
— Brush the top up and roll it under the same way you would do a chignon.
CURLY HAIR: For those with naturally curly hair, Dicken said using a little asymmetry in the style is interesting.
She suggests drawing all of the hair to one shoulder behind one ear and having a ponytail sit really close to your neck and have it hang down at the front.
SHORT HAIR: Embellishing with a hairband, flowers or fabric, and sparkly hair accessories can add dazzle to short ’dos, Dicken said.
Another consideration is extensions. Clip-ons are “wonderful” for adding hits of a little bit of length and volume, she added.

THE FACE
If you’re heading out to a cocktail party and are toting a clutch instead of a larger bag, you’ll likely be a bit tight for space.
Makeup artist and photographer Korby Banner, whose client list has included Harrison Ford, Tyra Banks and Sheryl Crow, suggests a great space-saver is preloaded Q-Tips.
Twirl individual cotton swabs in your eyeshadow, concealer and lipstick and keep them in a Ziploc for touch-ups later. That also allows you to dispose of them as you go along, he added.
Before you apply your concealer and foundation, Banner suggested using primer on lips and skin.
“It actually makes a huge difference to how long your makeup wears.”
Banner, who appears on the W Network makeover series “Style By Jury,” said the hot look right now pairs darker, smoky eyes and a very natural-looking glossy mouth, similar to Jennifer Lopez’s look.
For a great holiday eye, Banner said you need one dark shadow, one medium and one highlighter.
Use the highlighter under the browbone and on inside of inner lid, the medium-toned eyeshadow above the crease, and darkest eyeshadow at the outer third of the eye, winging into the eyeliner on top and bottom to create a bit more of a blurry, smoky cat-eye.
“It’s glamorous, but it’s still sophisticated.”