'Tis the season to be festive, perhaps more so than ever this year. With the holidays come invitations to all kinds of celebratory events, be they charity-related, black tie or the office Christmas party. What to wear is always the question, whether you're digging into the back of your closet or out shopping for something new. Maybe you're doing both, updating what you have with some fresh holiday trends.

Dina Ellen of Dina Ellen in Shadyside says deep purples and wine colors are prominent, especially in knee-length cocktail dresses. Materials that have a metallic sheen are an option for the edgier fashionista. For those who prefer a safer bet, "spruce up a plain dress with a key piece like a brocade coat or a cashmere wrap," she says.

Ellen Calig, manager and buyer for Lintons at the Waterfront, says you can't go wrong with taking a page from Jackie Kennedy Onassis' book, such as a basic knee-length dress with a matching cropped jacket. Pearls are popping up everywhere, and Ms. Calig suggests pieces by R.J. Graziano, "a jewelry designer who is classic but steps just slightly over the edge." Don't forget a shawl or wrap, which Ms. Calig considers to be the strongest, most versatile accessory.

"The waist should be defined and ladylike, especially with formal and semi-formal wear," says Ms. Calig, who believes this is the year to have fun. The color scheme this season is ripe with reds and violets and other jewel tones. She swears by designer Marisa Baratelli, whose fall collection contains many cocktail pieces made of beautiful Thai silk.

E. B. Pepper of e. b. Pepper in Shadyside prefers short rather than long in skirt length. "Right now, everything is clean, less bling, more simplicity. Nothing should be too ostentatious," Ms. Pepper says.

Solid colors with neat lines are better than prints and overly stylized looks. Her boutique carries the classic but hip Black Halo line, which Ms. Pepper says is a go-to designer for when you have a fancy occasion on your calendar and feel uninspired when looking through your wardrobe.

When playing it safe, there is always the little black dress. Whether a simple sheath or an empire waist with a bubble hem, it is a reliable choice and you can almost never go wrong. And then there's The Little Black Dress, the charming shop on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside. Designer Diana Misetic sells her own ready-to-wear dresses as well as made-to-order dresses that fit like, well, they were made for you. Despite the shop's name, Ms. Misetic also offers a colorful assortment of cocktail dresses. For this season she suggests classics such as a black lace dress and short cocktail dresses.

"Red is always good, but there is also purple or black," she says. "Dresses have a more sophisticated look this year, and everything should be easy to wear with high shoes or a chunky platform. On my dresses there are details, so you really don't need any jewelry with them. Just a pair of great shoes and a clutch."

Nancy Stillson, owner of Occasions of Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill, only sells dresses. Her great eye has attracted a following among women who like to look current but not necessarily trendy.

"The women who come in here don't look for trends," Ms. Stillson says. "They're looking for style, for fit and comfort. They're looking for something that enhances their best features. This season I have a lot of dark plum and amethyst and midnight blue. For younger women, I have strapless bold-colored dresses including some by Phoebe, a division of Kay Unger. But 90 percent of my dresses are evergreens, a dress that lasts forever.