'Tis the season to par-tay. But with the economy in the tank and unemployment at a 16-year high, many people won't be spending frivolously this holiday season. That could mean ringing in 2009 in that same dazzling number you wore last year. The beauty of it is, you could always jazz up that little black dress or pair of trousers with some low-cost accessories.

A splash of color here, some shimmer there can transform any outfit from ordinary to show-stopping, depending on how you accessorize.

"And the thing is, when you are buying accessories, think about how many different ways you can wear it," says Alison Deyette, a style expert who regularly dispenses advice on "Today," "The View" and "Tyra."

Here are some suggestions:

CREATE A WAIST

Even curvy girls look great with a belted waist. And one of Deyette's favorites happens to be patent leather, which she says is an easy go-to belt for holiday shine.

"For holidays, you want a little shimmer, a little sparkle, a little glitz, even if it's just a beautiful piece of satin ribbon tied around the waist," Deyette says. "And don't assume it has to match the color you're wearing.

"Standing out and adding a different color is what makes you pop."

 

COVER UP

One of the key pieces this season is the cardigan.

Long or short, open or buttoned up, loose or belted, it can be paired with just about anything.

"It can be worn with a pencil skirt, it can be worn with a dreidel skirt, it can be worn with a pair of slim trousers or a pair of full pants," says Karolyn Wangstad, vice president of trend for JCPenney department stores. "Really, the options are endless, depending upon your personal style preference."

 

Spanx Stripe Control Tight, $42, at Nordstrom.

ADD TEXTURE TO YOUR LEGS

Never mind boring basic black tights.

"If you're going to be wearing something plain, I would say go for a funky tight like a lace or a fishnet," says Bridgett Artise, a New York-based designer and author of "Re-Born Vintage," about reimagining second-hand-store finds. "You don't want to be the Plain Jane of the party."

 

Narrow Oblong Sequin scarf, $22.50, at Express.

WRAP ONE ON

Scarves are one of the hot new accessories this season, and they can be worn a myriad of ways, including over the shoulders, loosely wrapped around the neck or knotted like a tie.

"I think I saw Katie Holmes a couple of weeks ago wearing a scarf in her hair," Wangstad says. "People wear them as belts, they tie them to their handbags; there's no end to what you can do with a scarf. But I think America is really falling in love with the wrapped neck."

Adds Deyette, "It's kind of cute, too, if you tie a little kerchief around your wrist."

EASY ON THE BLING

When it comes to dressing up, jewelry has leveraging power. A chunky necklace can dress an outfit down while a simple chain and pendant can dress it up.

"It doesn't have to cost you a lot of money," Deyette says. "People start thinking, `Oh, my God, department store prices!'

"But whether you're going to an off-price retailer like a T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, or you're going to a Banana Republic, an Ann Taylor, a J. Crew, all those places have great fashionable jewelry."

'Pelayo,' peep toes, $80 at Aldo.

PEEP TOES

Don't think that just because we're heading into "winter," you can't wear your peep toes. That's what's so great about L.A.

"You can wear your strappy heels all year long and get away with it," Deyette says. "You can wear the peep toe that's been such a big trend. You can wear that bootie that's been a big trend this season, and that's just another way of being more modern and contemporary with your outfit."

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Sandra Barrera (818) 713-3728 sandra.barrera@dailynews.com