With the holiday season creeping up a bit earlier every year, it’s never too early to start planning your winter looks.

Personal styling is always a challenge, and holiday styling more so. Hence I have taken the liberty of compiling a few notes for your benefit.

1. First and Foremost, Remember the Basics

The holiday season comes with its own set of challenges, but you can make life easier for yourself by sticking to the few rules that virtually always apply.

Not every occasion is going to call for a decadent evening gown; more often a nice pair of jeans and a t-shirt or understated blouse will suffice. In these situations, it falls to you to coordinate your accessories in order to stand out.

Don’t go overboard; try to limit it to just major two pieces, plus a handbag. If you plan on being outdoors, mix a pair of sunglasses with either a scarf or a winter cap. If you spend most of your time in the office, mix a lighter scarf with one or two pieces of silver to capture the winter vibe.

2. Indulge in Some Holiday Extravagance

For better or worse, the holiday season is decidedly a time for a little extra indulgence. There are plenty of ideas out there for your next Christmas party. For our money, our favorites would be the velvet suit and dress.

They’re the kind of bold choices that would be difficult to pull off under normal circumstances. The season affords the opportunity to experiment with something a little more exquisite than normally be considered tasteful, and these upper-tier fabrics capture the warmth (and a bit of sensuality) that comes with the season.

3. Don’t Knock the Sweater; It’s a Holiday Styling Classic

Not every engagement will be a formal affair. And while it has drawn many a derisive smirk, the Christmas sweater has remained a classic for a reason.

We suspect that the reason the sweater catches so much flak is because few people know how to wear one well. Most just throw on some garish knit and call it a day.

As with anything, they need to be properly paired in order to work. It also wouldn’t hurt to invest in one of a little higher quality. As I am admittedly a bit of a traditionalist, I can’t help but be a fan of companies like Dale of Norway. The price point is relatively high, but is offset by the high-quality material and construction.

Remember That There are More Temperate Options

Just because you can rock a red velvet suit or a $500 sweater doesn’t mean you should have to.

In 2016, actress Priyanka Chopra turned up to designer Manish Malhotra’s holiday party in an off-the-rack party dress that cost just $150. And she looked as stunning as always.

If one of Bollywood’s biggest stars can get away with saving a couple hundred dollars on her holiday styling, it’s unlikely anyone will break you over the wheel for doing the same.

Be the Cool Aunt

If you don’t low-key wish you were Rhianna, you may need to reevaluate your life goals and priorities.

The music star spent last Christmas with her family in Barbados, and the pictures of her glamming it up with her adorable baby cousin had the internet swooning.

If there are any little ones in your life, take the opportunity to befriend them. Just having them around will give you an instant adorability boost.

End this Year and Start the New One at Your Most Stylish

They say that the beginning and ending of a story is what the reader remembers most vividly. The holiday season is both; out with the old, in with the new. Don’t hamstring yourself by starting finishing and starting on a sour note.

We’ve only scratched the surface. Styles change all the time, and keeping up with them has become something of a cottage industry. If you can afford it, there’s no shame in outsourcing the task to a professional.