The holidays are stressful because, in defiance of the laws of nature, the two months between Halloween and New Year’s Day seem to compress into two weeks. On top of that, even if you’ve been good about watching your cash flow in these lean times, peer and familial pressure tends to lead people to spend more than they can afford on gifts and holiday cheer.

Like modern-day Bob Cratchits—Ebenezer Scrooge’s underpaid clerk in Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," who wrapped himself in a tattered comforter because he couldn’t afford a coat — we’ll head to the season’s dinners and parties in our year-round togs without even thinking about picking up a festive new dress or top. Few can afford to be so frivolous as to purchase something they might wear but once a year.

But that’s no excuse to give up on the idea of dressing up for an occasion, when chances are, a little closet excavation could turn up everything you need to amp up your look.

After his recent opulent "Art of Jewelry" show at the Halekulani Hotel, hairstylist and jewelry maker Kensei Takeda, who’s known by his first name in the business, was inundated with requests for workshops on how to layer jewelry and accessories to similar dramatic effect. Although he doesn’t have time at the moment for workshops, he was willing to share a few tips for transforming wardrobe basics for day-to-night wear throughout the holidays.

There’s no need to get fancy from the outset.

"People are always looking for what’s trendy, or the season’s color or the season’s design, when it’s not right for them," Kensei said. "Some women say, ‘My size is always the same, so my dress from 30, 40 years ago I still can wear.’ Maybe you’re the same size, but muscle tone is different, things shift. Young people, they can get away with wearing something from the ’60s or ’70s, but it still has to look current or it just looks like you’re wearing old clothes."

A closet of basics, such as high-quality T-shirts, pants and skirts, is a good way to start.

"Basic clothes you always use, then you can add some kind of accent piece to show your personality, whether it’s in a bag or shoe, something that adds character so you don’t look like everybody else."

For the fashion novice, he said it’s better to start with separates than dresses, because two pieces offer more ways to swap out tops and bottoms to create looks for different occasions. And for both men and women, he suggests sticking to a palette of black and one other accent color, and a maximum of three colors in one look.

"Otherwise it’s going to be too busy. One problem I see is people try to coordinate too many colors, trying to do the bag, scarf, jewelry. People looking at them don’t know what they’re supposed to notice. The eye doesn’t know where to look."

The holiday season is a perfect time for practice because festive touches of gold, silver, red and sparkle are everywhere and universally flattering. While minds are on holiday, people are also more likely to be forgiving if you go a little overboard.

"You can get away with a lot of things at a party, and it makes other people feel good. When they see you sparkling, they feel happy," he said.

The mirror will be your best friend as you train your eye to achieve balance in dressing, said Kensei, whose father was an oil painter and taught him to find the beauty in the balance of color, texture and proportion.

"Don’t wear everything at once. If you have big earrings, don’t wear necklace. If you have a big bracelets, don’t wear earrings. Let one thing stand out," he said. "You can train your eye by going shopping and studying the mannequins in the window displays, or looking at fashion magazines."

In pulling together a look, raid your jewelry box and pull neglected wraps and accessories from your closet. Brooches offer versatility in dressing up any outfit. A simple tank top can be ruched and pinned on one side with a brooch. This creates an asymmetrical hemline for instant elegance when paired with a long skirt or palazzo pants.

A shawl, scarf or faux fur wrap is not only to protect from the cold, but also can be draped to make a dress more interesting. A rectangular scarf can be draped like a cape from the front, and secured in the back with a brooch, or be used to create a cowl or deep V-neck design in the front, also secured with a brooch. He uses lengths of chain purchased from craft stores to link the two ends of feather boas so they can be worn without constantly tugging at them to keep them in place.

Simple, inexpensive notions such as a couple feet of lace or velvet ribbon can be used to string your brooch as a choker or necklace.

Kensei said fashion discount stores are a good source of wardrobe finishers, offering inexpensive hats, gloves, stockings, jewelry and more. In his own shows, he often mixes high-end designer apparel with junior accessories from Claire’s and Target. Other sources include T.J. Maxx, Nordstrom Rack and Waikele Premium Outlets.

And for those too shy for sparkle, he suggests treating your nails as an accessory and layering a clear shimmer or glitter enamel over a base of deep violet or burgundy.

Last, don’t underestimate posture.

"Proper walking and sitting finishes any look. Poor visual poise can ruin even the most perfectly coordinated look," he said.