It’s official! The holiday season is here. Do you have your holiday outfits planned, purchased and ready to go? If you still need guidelines for creating the perfect holiday capsule wardrobe, here they are.

This Plan is as Easy as 1-2-3!…

(1) One accessory, a statement piece like a scarf or bold earrings, that will go with everything in your holiday capsule. Some people start with their accessories and buy clothes to go with them, but you also can do the reverse, to make sure they match.

(2) Two silhouettes or design line possibilities for your outfits that flatter your body type.

In my book, The Capsule Wardrobe Book: Signature Style Essentials for Plus-Size Fashionistas, I offer several different silhouettes that will work for each of the body types, but for this small holiday capsule you’re creating, you only need one or two…

Are you pear shaped? Wear your longer jackets and blazers with pants or skirts that don’t have any pockets. Pair short jackets or cardigans with full skirts or pants. For dresses, try sweetheart necklines and empire waists.

If you have an apple shape, choose long tops that are straight or open jackets to elongate the body. Wear short jackets or cardigans with full dresses to provide extra belly coverage.

For the rectangle shape, wear dresses that pull in at the waist. Wrap dresses, v-neck dresses or empire waists will work well. For pants, choose straight but not skinny legs.

Are you shaped like an inverted triangle? Swing jackets and v-neck tops and dresses will draw the eye away from your shoulders & create balance. Keep skirt lengths short to show off your legs!

Many silhouettes will work for the hourglass figure, but you do need to look for clothes that have a defined waist. Or add belts to help accent it.

If you are full-figured, you want to go for a gentler fit. Create the same silhouette that is recommended for your body type, but let the fabric skim the body and avoid cinching any belts tight. Don’t wear the smallest size you can fit into, because that only calls attention to the fullness or the figure flaws you want to camouflage.

(3) Three holiday colors that mix and match well together. Keep your holiday capsule wardrobe simple, by concentrating on only a few colors, such as red, green and gold. Or green and gold with a neutral. Just as is true with holiday decorations, it can be tempting to go overboard but try to resist!

Unless you are planning to invest in pieces you will wear every holiday season from now on, don’t buy a holiday top or dress in every color and design. Stick to two or three.

A Holiday Capsule Wardrobe for the Entire Month…

If you include neutrals, like khaki or grey pants or skirts, buy a few tops in holiday colors, one jacket and one snazzy dress for the holiday office party, you can create a month of holiday outfits with less than ten pieces, some of which you may already own. It’s an important season but don’t let its importance overwhelm you as you create your capsule.

With these guidelines, you can create a holiday capsule wardrobe that is both stylish and inexpensive. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Jeanine Byers Hoag is a certified color analyst and the author of The Capsule Wardrobe Book: Signature Style Essentials for Plus-Size Fashionistas. She also has created a free seasonal color analysis quiz which you can find at her blog, http://www.seasonalcoloranalysis.net .