Happy Wednesday, fashion mavens! The week is half-way through and we’re less than one day until it’s officially winter, 4 days until Christmas (yikes!) and a little less than 2 weeks until the New Year. Where does the time go?! But at any rate, while the holidays are the most exciting part about winter, they are not the only exciting thing during this frosty season. I’m talking about weddings, folks. Winter weddings! There’s something magical about a winter wedding — whether it be set in a snow-covered venue or not. So, what’s the dress code for such an occasion? Now worries, read on and you’ll be ready for the next set of “I Do’s” on your winter agenda.

DO: Dress warmly. It’s winter, so you know you’re going to need protection from the cold. Consider the venue, location and anticipate weather conditions before choosing your outfit. Winter weddings are the perfect time to don fur wraps and coats, as well as thick and luxurious fabrics like velvet.

DON’T: Skimp on the fabric. Just because you are indoors at a wedding safe from the chilly temperatures outside, it doesn’t mean you ought to wear a more revealing dress. Even if this was a summer wedding, you have to remember that weddings are special occasions. So cover up properly and keep it classy at all times.

DO: Explore new color options. Winter tends to bring out the dreary, dark side in all of us, but that’s no excuse to go in head-to-toe black for a wedding. While black is a classic choice and always elegant, you can also look just as elegant and appropriate in color. Rich jewel tones — like emerald, sapphire and amethyst — are great winter wedding alternatives to black, as well as cool and bright colors (think fuchsia, cobalt, etc.).

DON’T: Be the extra bridesmaid. Before you pick out a dress, try and find out what color dresses the bridesmaids will be wearing. Avoid choosing a dress in the same color (or even similar) to what they will be wearing. You’re a guest, after all, and don’t want to show up looking like you were left-out of the wedding party.

DO: Cover up  your gams. You can never go wrong with a pretty dress for a wedding, but considering cold weather, you may want to pair up your frock with some tights. Black tights (sheer or opaque) are always chic, and if you’re feeling a little more trendy, go with some simple patterned tights, such as these.

DON’T: Be afraid to wear pants. For many of us gals, our first choice for wedding attire is nothing less than a fabulous dress. But if the weather is too much to handle, then a pair of dress pants is a great option. With options like wide leg pants, high waists and sleek slacks, there is no reason why you can’t rock a pair of nice bottoms with a pretty top (sparkles, maybe?) to a wedding.

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One of my favorite trends to emerge and really pick up steam the past few years? Ankle boots. They are my go-tos for a little sophistication, when I need something chicer than a flat, tall boot, and trendier than a classic, tall heel.

For a huge boot lovah like myself, it’s great to see designers embrace the short-n-sweet trend to give us loads of options this season. There is a heeled bootie for every type of girl, and I have four excellent styles to wear during the winter months to glam up your outfit. Here are my picks for must-haves. Which will you wear?

For the glam girl… Miu Miu Glitter and Suede Peep-Toe Ankle Boots, $623. I told you all a couple of months ago that I was dying over these Miu Miu booties (me and everybody else!), covered in glitter, with criss-crossed suede straps. Now, with a huge discount right before Christmas, they’re a great purchase for a girl who likes to keep it glam, and own one of the season’s most recognized items. Wear the glittery shoes with an LBD and show ‘em off!

For the practical girl… KORS Michael Kors “Divina” Desert Bootie, $150. Black. Thick heel. Wear-with-jeans vibe. You could definitely take these shoes for a spin shopping, or transform them into an edgy, going-out heel. For a girl who likes a boot with mileage, Mr. Kors has the answer.

For the sophisticated girl… Jessica Simpson “Francis” Booties, $99. Couldn’t you envision this pair of booties with straight-leg jeans, a chic fur vest, a pair of sunglasses and a black bag? Yup. They’re the ultimate in sophistication, and they’re basically timeless. They’ll look good for seasons.

For the trend-setting girl… BCBGeneration Messa Booties, $127. Combine two of the hottest recent trends (ankle boots and clogs) add two-tone color and studding… what do you have? Some seriously rockin’ boots! I can definitely see these shoes on a girl who likes to stand out, in a subtle way. (Even though you know everyone will be taking note.)

What type of girl are you, and what kind of ankle boots will you be wearing this season?

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The Question:

Dear Belinda,

I only have this week to finish my Christmas shopping and really the only people I have left are my three teenage nieces. It’s been so long since I’ve been that age and I have no idea what kids like these days. I know they’re into fashion and beauty, but that’s about it. What are your suggestions for girls their age?

Please help,

Demetria M.

Belinda Says…

Dear Demetria,

First of all, love your name! Second of all, don’t panic. We’ll get this sorted out in a jiffy. I know that sometimes shopping for teens can be rather perplexing. They’re too old for Barbie dolls and too young for a go-to wine gift basket. So, what do you get? Something in the middle of it all. Find a balance of things that will show them you know they’re not kids anymore, yet still age-appropriate. Here are my suggestions…

A Trendy Watch. Whether it’s to keep track of the time between classes or keep an eye on curfew, you can never go wrong with a watch. A classic watch might be too boring for a girl in her teens, so go with something hip and fresh. I like this white Sprout watch, which also happens to be eco-friendly.

Warm Accessories. From gloves with bows to colorful scarves, the options for warm accessories are endless. Hat, scarf and gloves sets are a perfect choice, but you can also buy them individually depending on the teen’s personality (she may not like wearing hats, etc..). This Juicy Couture Set includes a pair of cute jewel-bedecked hand-warmers and a pretty Deborah Lippmann nail polish — so cute!

Magazine Subscription. If I can remember one thing about my teen years, it’s that I loved flipping through the pages of fashion magazines. From makeup tips to pretty hairstyles, fun quizzes and horoscopes, I loved every bit of them (and still do, only I’ve upgraded to the grown-up versions). Check out Teen Vogue, Seventeen and Girls’ Life (the latter being for younger teens) — all are great, age-appropriate mags.

Makeup Sets. As you know, many girls begin experimenting with makeup during their teen years, and while I’m all about encouraging the less-is-more theory, I can’t deny that makeup is fun for a lot of girls, no matter what age. A great way to introduce your beauty queen teens to makeup is with a fun sampler set, such as Too Faced’s Beautiful Dreamer Collection.

Bath Products. Who doesn’t love to be pampered? If you want to make a splash (horrible pun intended) this holiday season, surprise your teen girls with a fun and fragrant bath and body set. You can find several teen-approved sets everywhere that include full or sample size products and come in a keepsake bag, such as this pink and bubbly You Cube Set by Soap & Glory.

Hope these ideas help you find the perfect gifts for your nieces, Demetria! And as always, happy stylin’ and happy holidays!

Belinda

Have a question for Belinda? Send an email to belinda [at] smarter.com with all of your fashion inquiries. I may not be able to answer everyone’s questions, but I will try to get to as many as possible. Be sure to stay tuned for next week’s Ask Belinda Column, the next one may be yours!

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