Holiday Party Dressing

Holiday Party Dressing

The most festive season of the year is finally here – time to frolic and play, sparkle, and sashay. Holiday parties provide so many joyful opportunities. They call for us to put our best foot forward and bring out our finest attire. Here, we will take a look at some tips for decorating our best selves to shine bright throughout the season and whenever the need arises.

We recently read some very good advice from New York stylist Beverly Nguyen on Elle.com that felt very true for us at PICCHIOTTI. Nguyen told Elle, “Wear something that makes you smile and feel confident. Oftentimes, people dress for the occasion and not for themselves, and it makes [them] miserable. So, I always say if it’s a simple black suit that you feel fun and sexy in or a giant ball gown that makes you laugh on your own—just go for it.”  We could not agree more. 

“The thing I love most about fine jewelry is its unique ability to make even the simplest of outfits feel elegant, refined, fresh,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti, founder and lead designer of the Italian heritage brand PICCHIOTTI. “In fact, jewelry makes such a distinctive presence that little else is needed. And unlike shoes, bags, and luxurious fabrics, well designed classics never feel worn or dated. They always shine bright and help you to feel your absolute best.”

Cocktail Rings for Cocktail Parties

The abundance of cocktail parties this time of year call for cocktail rings. Originally, these statement making rings came into popularity during the Prohibition era when cocktails were first invented to disguise the drinking of illegal alcoholic beverages. As women officially won the right to vote in the U.S. in 1919, the era of the Roaring ‘20s was a boon for female empowerment. Women wore the newly dubbed “cocktail rings” as they toasted with new mixed drinks and wore pants and paid their own way in the speakeasy clubs that populated big American cities like New York. Ever since, these rings create a vibe of celebration and personalization, allowing women to express themselves and their jewelry preferences beyond the bridal rings that are more typically purchased for them by their partner. 

Just in time for holiday celebrations, PICCHIOTTI has launched an all new series of Xpandable™ Cocktail Rings, featuring a wide variety of designs with the brand’s signature superlative gemstones. These rings rely on the highly popular Xpandable™️ technology that allows the rings to expand and contract, making them easy to slip on over any knuckle and comfortable to wear on any finger with no ring sizing required. 

“Talk about wearing something that makes you feel good! Cocktail rings have genuine feel-good factor. They have once again become a symbol of female empowerment, much like they were during the Prohibition Era,” says Maria Carola Picchiotti, Marketing Director of PICCHIOTTI. “The new Xpandable cocktail rings make glorious self-rewards, offering everyone fun, colorful ways to express their own unique style with luxury, comfort, and ease.”

The new cocktail ring designs are engineered for durability and comfortable wear. Many of the rings feature a colorful gem at center, often haloed with precisely re-cut baguette diamonds – another signature element of PICCHIOTTI style. The pear emerald Xpandable cocktail ring is a good example – see it here.  An impeccable pear-shaped emerald is haloed with baguette diamonds, and the shank includes buff top emeralds to echo the green at the center of the ring. The sapphire “frame” rings featured above (far left and far right on the model’s hand) puts the diamond center instead and wraps or frames the diamond(s) in the center with buff top sapphires. The buff top is a unique cut that PICCHIOTTI likes to use with colored gemstones because it creates a cabochon like top, highlighting the incredible natural color of the emerald, sapphire, or ruby. 

Discover more Xpandable cocktail styles here.  Lovers of color will appreciate the colorful diamond options or the gorgeous unheated, all-natural purple pink Sri Lanka sapphire with a beautiful hexagon shape at the center of an Xpandable three-row diamond band. There is something for everyone, with exceptional designs for fans of marquise cuts, heart shapes, ovals, and three-stone rings.

Another benefit — the four precious gemstones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds) also happen to be holiday colors (red, green, blue, and white respectively), making them perfect for adorning holiday cocktail dresses, sweaters, or wraps. They can also be worn seamlessly with luxury watches or bridal rings and wedding bands. The distinctive new designs are contemporary and fun, while continuing to honor the classic tradition of the PICCHIOTTI brand.

Reversible Jewels for Party-Hopping

The infamous hustle and bustle of the holiday season can sometimes call for party-hopping, running from an office cocktail party to the cousin’s holiday dinner or from a black-tie event to a neighborhood gathering. Instead of running home to change in between, look for simple chic styles that allow maximum flexibility. A black pants suit can easily dress up with a sparkling blazer or bolero which can easily be removed for a family-oriented affair like a hayride or informal dinner party. 

PICCHIOTTI designed its new Reversible collection with such modern lifestyles in mind. The new patent-pending technology capitalizes on the successful Xpandable technology that allows bracelets and rings to expand and contract and now adds the versatile element of reversibility, creating two designs in one. The new bracelets and rings can easily be flipped over while on the wrist or finger to reveal a different design. The drop earrings twist just below the lobe to change the color or stone on the drop. Necklaces can also easily reverse to a totally different look. 

“One common complaint from customers I have met over the years has been a sense of hesitation to wear their fine diamond jewelry, even for special holiday parties, as they feel over-dressed or worry about safety on the way to the event. Many also experience frustration or limitation when trying to color-coordinate gemstones,” says Giuseppe. “I love the idea of technology that can solve problems! In the same way that we solved the problems of ring sizing and cumbersome bracelet clasps with our Xpandable technology, we have now tackled the issue of design versatility. Our new reversibles feature completely different designs – luxurious diamonds on one side and solid gold on the other, or sapphires on one side and rubies on the other. Now, you can easily move from the office holiday lunch to the more formal party at the in-laws, without having to rush home and change your jewelry.”

The reversible diamond and gold necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings easily convert from dressy to casual for holiday party hopping. And lovers of colors or the indecisive among us can opt for colorful combinations like turquoise and diamond on one side and white ceramic on the other or a classic black and white combo featuring diamonds with black ceramic on one side and white ceramic on the reverse.  Lovers of stacked bracelets can pile up an armful of the Xpandable Reversible bracelets and switch the sides or colors up to achieve a fresh look at each party throughout the season. Stay tuned for more new reversible designs coming in 2024!

Ring in the New Year with Year-Round Style

Another staple for New Year’s Eve parties and black tie galas is quintessential white diamond jewelry. One of the reasons for the diamond’s prevailing relevance over the centuries is that diamonds truly go with everything. This makes them incredibly versatile for the busy holiday season. In today’s fashion zeitgeist, mixing of hi and low is common, and diamonds are now worn with everything from hoodies to athleisure to business apparel and LBDs (little black dresses). The universality of diamonds, especially white diamonds, makes them incredibly appropriate for everyday wear, hence their long-lived popularity in bridal rings.  All the more reason to splurge and start your year off with a little extra sparkle! Ring in the new year with year-round style. Dust off your favorite heirloom diamonds or shop for new styles to pair with those you already have.

While PICCHIOTTI is best known for superlative colored gemstones (rubies, sapphires, emeralds), we also have a vast array of white diamond jewelry designs that our customers often collect for stacking and layering. A diamond tennis bracelet may be beautiful, but a stack of three or more of them is luscious and empowering. Emerald-cut diamond lovers will find a wealth of options in the Xpandable Emerald Cut Lover collection. Not just a variety of emerald-cut diamond tennis bracelets (see image above) but also anniversary bands and/or right-hand rings. Each is slightly different, offering different size or carat weights of diamonds or various designs to choose from.

If you love the look white diamonds but need a little splash of color, PICCHIOTTI offers diamond rings, bracelets, and earrings with accents of ruby, sapphire, or emerald. The Emerald Cut Lover ruby ring and bracelet, for example, offer prominent sizable white diamonds set in a frame or channel of buff top rubies. Similar styles exist for sapphire and emerald fans, as well. 

Another great option for year-round style is the classic diamond earring. Go beyond the stud and explore variations of diamond earrings that add a lift to your holiday party ensemble. Diamond hoops will serve you well throughout the year, being wearable in board rooms or on red carpets. Chandelier style diamond earrings are best with dresses and lower necklines. Don’t be afraid to hints of color, especially if you have blue (sapphires) or green (emerald) eyes.

Wrap the Year in Luxury – Go Bold or Stay Home

Another line of thought from many stylists we work with is that when you have the opportunity, you should really go all out. Adorn yourself with the masterpieces you have collected in your own life or heirlooms that have been passed down to you. The old saying go big or go home rings particularly true for the holidays. Really special jewels spend way too much time in their vault or safe deposit box or jewelry box. If ever there is a time to bring them out and shine, it’s the holiday season. The joyful vibe of merry gatherings calls for a little extra something. If your family does ugly holiday sweaters, up your vibe with a magnificent pair of earrings or a stunning cocktail ring. If you do black-tie formal NYE parties, let your jewelry do the heavy lifting so you can be more comfortable in your wardrobe choices. Wrap yourself in luxury at least once before the year is through.

PICCHIOTTI’s Masterpieces were handcrafted with these types of special events in mind.  Special occasion dresses in contemporary fashion are more and more embellished. Ruffles, sequins, and beaded or hand-painted textiles are now the norm. Singular, spectacular jewels can offset the “busy-ness” of such fabrics and tie your entire look together. Off-shoulder and strapless gowns are also common, leaving the neck and decolletage open, creating the perfect canvas for your favorite necklace or pendant. PICCHIOTTI has an entire collection of Masterpieces – one-of-a-kind designs crafted in diamond, ruby, sapphire, or emerald that make for unforgettable entrances and exquisite selfies or photo-booth victories at your favorite holiday parties.  If your frock is overly sparkly, opt for stunning, statement-making earrings like PICCHIOTTI’s ruby and diamond masterpiece earrings or the masterpieces emerald dop earrings. If you choose a daring and plunging neckline, fill the chest with an exquisite pendant like the almost 35 carat sapphire shown above. Embrace the opportunity to shine and pull out all the stops! If you only do it once a year, go big or stay home.  But at PICCHIOTTI, we hope you have many opportunities to dress up and celebrate the wonder and beauty of life with the people that you love most.

Whichever holiday you celebrate and however you choose to celebrate it, choose clothes that you feel your best in and let the jewelry help pull it all together. For more tips on styling with fine jewelry, see our advice from professional stylists in the previous post “How Jewelry Completes Your Look.” Have fun playing dress up and let your inner light shine through. Here’s wishing you and yours a very peaceful, fun, and memorable holiday season… Happy Holidays!

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How Jewelry Completes Your Look – Tips from Professional Stylists

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