So ... the holiday season is here, & there are so many things to think about. Where to go for the holidays, who to invite to the Christmas party, what kind of food should be served, what to gifts to give your loved ones & the dreaded question: What am I going to wear? & if you're like me, the latter will make you want to rip your hair out.

I absolutely hate that question -- What am I going to wear?! -- because if you're not careful, it can practically eat you alive, consuming your every thought; especially around the holidays when you're stressed enough as it is. But fashion -- for ALL seasons -- is meant to be fun & whimsical! It's not supposed to weigh you down & fill you with dread.

Fashion is all about expression & creativity. It has hardly anything to do with the price tag & it's not as pretentious as some make it out to be. So while "fashion gurus" (also known as "fashionistas") will stress that wearing what's "IN" will keep you in, it's so important to wear what you like to wear & forget about the trends. BUT... do this with a few simple guidelines.

DO experiment. Experiment with different silhouettes, hemlines & color schemes. Experiment with fabrics & accessories. Mix & match pieces in your closet that you would never imagine selecting. Experiment, experiment, experiment! & be creative. (I can't stress those two things enough!) If you don't know where to start, look through magazines -- or even just people watch -- & try to emulate the styles you've seen & have liked. (I get inspiration from street-style fashion sits, like Hel-Looks, Tokyo Street Style, & Stockholm StreetStyle. Often the best fashion-statement-makers are the ones outside of the US.) The best part about experimenting is that if it doesn't look good, you don't ever have to try that combination again.

DON'T go overboard. It's tempting to want to embrace all the amazing (& sometimes daring) trends out there this season, but if it has more shock value than it does comfort -- say, 7 inch heels with buckles all the way to the knee, or a floor-length trench-cape jacket -- forget about it. Some fads are meant to be only just that: a fad; an enthusiastic, but passing, trend.

DO recycle your summer clothing. Dresses, especially. A lot of your floral summer dresses can still be used in the winter if you layer accordingly (& I'll get to that in a minute). Just get your favorite floral summer dress, pair it with some tights (they can be colored to match the dress -- deep purples or reds -- or neutrals, like black, grey & brown), some ankle boots, a scarf & you're set. & don't forget a jacket! Preferably cropped & something to keep you warm.

DO layer. If you're anywhere other than Southern California, it's cold outside! But just because it's snowing cats & dogs, doesn't mean you have to layer like you're trekking through the Himalayas. It's easy to get overwhelmed with layers, so stick to the basics. Scarves, knit hats, vests, stockings & tights, cardigans & jackets. Layer in a way where you could peel off only a few pieces -- like a heavier jacket & a hat -- & still be warm & cozy (but not suffocating) in a scarf, stockings & a cardigan. & guys, you can absolutely follow suit. If you're in need of inspiration & how-tos, check out this article; it's said that men from Tokyo are masters of layering. It's an art form, yet they make it look so effortless.

DON'T pile on thick pieces. Like wool & heavy cashmere. You'll just end up itchy, sweaty, & miserable. Keep your layers light & airy, using fabrics like cotton & linen. & if you must wear heavy fabrics, simply do not layer at all. You won't need to.

DO dress accordingly. A fancy & formal Christmas party isn't the same as a laid-back, rambunctious New Year's Eve gathering, so keep that in mind while you're picking out your outfits. Don't over, or under dress. Keep the elegant dresses & debonair suits for the company party at a 4-star hotel, & save the leather pants & Doc Martens for rowdy, but modest, kickbacks.

DON'T spend too much money. As tempting as it might be to fork out $200 for those amazing pair of shoes you saw your favorite celebrity in -- because they would go perfect with that dress you wanted to wear to your boyfriend's Christmas party -- spare yourself the expense. Knock-offs & imitations are much more available now than ever before, so check places like H&M, Forever21, Target, & Payless first. (All of these places also sale men's wear.) If you're wanting & willing to go the extra mile for frugality, hit discount stores like Marshall's, TJ Maxx & Ross; even thrift stores! You may have to dig around but it's worth it once you find that treasure you've been looking for, or something like it.

[side note: It's perfectly okay to splurge, as long as they're items you could see yourself keeping for the rest of your life. For instance, finding the perfect, classic jacket, that will stand the test of time & trends. The keyword being "classic."]

DO bring a list. It's so easy to get sidetracked while shopping, & the next thing you know, you're walking out with over $100 worth of merchandise when you really only meant to spend $40. The easiest way to keep your impulses at bay is to bring a list. Write a list of the things you're wanting to buy for this holiday season. For example: a pair of grey stockings, a red scarf & a discounted leather jacket. Having a list in your hand will keep you focused on what you came for. & when you see that extra something that isn't on your list, you'll be better prepared to just say no.

DO dress for comfort. So you've found the perfect outfit. But when you try it on, you're disappointed that it doesn't fit quite as well as you'd like. It's either too big or too small. You will be tempted to just get it anyway since it's the perfect candidate & you don't feel like trying on anymore clothes... but please don't risk it. You will be pulling & tugging at the garment all night, which will ruin your evening & your confidence. Your mind should be on the event you're attending, not your ill-fitting ensemble. Make sure you're comfortable in whatever you're wearing, for whatever occasion.

DON'T be a show off. Save the low-cut shirts, flashy accessories, & tight dresses for your own enjoyment. Spare your friends & loved ones the pleasure of seeing your assets. Also, please leave the Reindeer antlers, Santa hats & the jingle bells on your shoes at home. Wearing such things can be an obvious distraction, & people will have no choice but to remember you as "the one with the Rudolph antlers."

DO be yourself. Of all the guidelines, this is the most important. Be yourself. At the end of the day, you have to be 100% secure with that you wear & how your clothes represent you. Your friends might prefer you in green, but if you despise green, stay true to your likes & dislikes. Because YOU are the person wearing it; not your friends, or your husband, or your mother. If you like it, LOVE it, regardless of what outsiders (& insiders) might say.

And above all, have fun with it! Don't take fashion as seriously as Vogue tells you to. Make mistakes. Ask yourself questions to figure out what you favor & what you don't. Experiment & be creative! Listen to your internal voice; listen to your body. When you're in the dressing room, looking at yourself in the mirror in that dress, what is your body doing? Are your shoulders hunched? Is your face wincing? Or are you holding your head up high & smiling?

All of these things mentioned -- the dos & the don'ts -- are guidelines that I personally live by. Regardless of the season or the trend, it's so important to remember these tips because they will continue your growth in the area of self-expression that is fashion. Regardless of what you might think, appearance really does matter.