By Eliza Ridgeway

Seasonal trends can inspire just about anyone, from fashionistas to fashion phobics. This holiday season, hip Los Altos boutique Crimson Mim has scheduled personal styling sessions that can help women complete an outfit with a fabulous touch or put together something entirely new.

At the holiday styling event Nov. 8-10 from noon to 8 p.m., Crimson Mim owner Christine Campbell and Bay Area stylist Darlene Dull will help women of all ages and styles find something perfect to fill out their wardrobes.

“I encourage customers to come in with their girlfriends,” Campbell said. “We can dress you both up, and there will be champagne and sweets. It can be a fun afternoon getting ready for the holidays.”

Crimson Mim was founded on the idea that accessories can make an outfit. “Now that a dress and necklace is considered a little boring, people can find it very intimidating to try to pull together a look,” Campbell said. She said that a holiday look can be item related, rather than focused on a dress.

Customers often bring in clothing they need to match, and Campbell and Dull encourage the practice. “They just need some guidance from stepping out of what they normally do,” Dull said. “Accessories are a place to slowly introduce you to color. If you’re intimidated about changing your whole wardrobe, accessories are kind of that bridge.”

After helping customers put together holiday outfits at the event, Campbell and Dull will photograph the finished look for a visual reminder.

“Bring in a list of events you are planning to attend, and the items you want to wear, and you can plan them out here and only have to look at the pictures to remember what you are wearing to what,” Campbell said.

This season, dark colors, especially blue and black, and unusual pairings of a rich variety of fabrics are particularly popular. “I feel like the play of texture, whether it’s silk with stretch cotton, or brocade with cashmere, it’s just a more exciting look,” Campbell said.

She pointed to a wool gabardine jacket with silk charmeuse cuffs and a silk collar combination. “Black is good as long as it has texture,” Campbell said.

“You wouldn’t want to have the same fabric in a skirt and a jacket - that’s too tonal,” she said. “An interesting play of texture, color and drape, I think that’s very ‘of the moment.’ It’s a more modern look.”

Although Crimson Mim stocks headline-making designers and daring items, Campbell can point customers of any style, body type or age to a flattering and comfortable choice. Some of the hottest trends this season evoke a soft, layered and understated look.

“The thing about fashion - all the stuff has always been there,” Dull said. “Like the velvet and the black and the blue together, it all comes back. It is a matter of stepping outside your fashion box. The old rules from 1970 and 1980 don’t fit any more.”

Crimson Mim is located at 322 Main Street, Los Altos. To schedule a styling appointment, call 947-7463.