Happy New Year, everyone! We’re getting into the heart of winter, which means bundling up to face the cold. From oversized parkas and fluffy scarves to warm gloves and boots, we’re ready for any venture outdoors. It’s perfectly natural to think of winter wear as drab and boring, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve put together some great ways to use rhinestones to make your winter a little brighter while you stay warm.

Rhinestone Winter Boots

Boots—the ultimate winter accessory. There are so many styles and colors to choose from, making them both beautiful and practical. What better way to improve your winter wear than by adding rhinestones?

There are a few ways you can add some bling to your boots. For people who really want to make a statement, you could cover the whole boot in rhinestones. One technique that you may want to consider is to use an assortment of round, clear rhinestones in different sizes. The size differences will create an interesting pattern, not unlike a sparkling nighttime sky.

Alternatively, you could simply accent the heel (for boots with high heels), or you could take a more subtle approach and use jet-colored stones, which will produce a darker look with just a hint of texture and sparkle. If your boots feature laces or zippers, accent those areas with rhinestones. Whichever way you plan it, you’ll end up with a pair of awesome custom boots that will carry you through the winter streets.

Sparkling Scarves

No winter ensemble is complete without a scarf. It helps keep your head and neck warm, and it also serves to bring a touch of color or texture to your winter outfit. Because of their versatility, scarves are the perfect backdrop for rhinestone adornment.

First things first, you’ll want to choose your scarf. Depending on what type of stones you want to use, you may need to reconsider your choice of scarf. For example, if you want to put large, bulky rhinestones on your scarf, you’ll probably want a scarf with a little more structure. Airier, lighter scarves can accommodate tiny rhinestones without weighing your scarf down.

The Rhinestone Shop has all sorts of special novelty shapes beyond the normal rounds, squares, etc. There are shapes like skulls (if you’re feeling funky) and snowflakes (if you’re feeling festive). Add novelty shapes to reflect your personality.

One look we particularly like is to create a “champagne bubble” effect on your scarf. Use rhinestones along the edges of your scarf and use smaller and smaller stones as you work your way up. The result will be dazzling.

Glittering Gloves

Don’t live with boring gloves! Keep your hands warm while looking fabulous at the same time. There are quite a few ways to go about this.

One design idea is to bling out the wrists of your gloves. Create your own pattern or simply go for full coverage. Alternatively, you could use rhinestones sparingly along the back of the glove. If you want the real Michael Jackson effect, go ahead and cover the whole thing!

For a unique look, create a “ring” for your glove. Grab your favorite colored stone that’s a little bit larger, and place that on the ring finger of the glove. Surround the center stone with smaller ones to create what will look like a beautiful piece of jewelry on your finger.

If you’re planning on attending a swanky party, bring back long gloves to wear with a party dress. Using jet stones on black gloves will produce a dazzling textured look that will make a sophisticated complement to your party outfit. If that’s not quite what you’re looking for, make a pattern on the back of the glove using a combination of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Don’t Forget your Hat!

Hats are a fantastic accessory and practically mandatory in the winter. That being said, winter hats are often drab and dreary. The best way we can think of to combat that is by adding rhinestones.

A standard ski cap actually provides a great background for you to show off your personality. Using any small template you can find, design a pattern, shape, or logo for your ski cap. Are you a cat lady? Make a cat face on your hat! Try flowers, animals, and even images from pop culture. Who else do you know who has a rhinestone Walking Dead hat?

For a simple decorative look, find you favorite knitted hat and use a combination of rhinestones to accent your headwear. Try experimenting with different sizes, shapes, and colors until you get the perfect custom look. We recommend laying out your stones on the hat first before gluing them in place so you can get a feel for how the final product will look.

Dazzling Nail Art

Did you know that nail art goes back as far as 3,000 years ago? Though the methods and materials have changed, the sentiment remains the same—nails are an expression of beauty and creativity.

When you can finally get inside a warm a comfortable place, take those gloves off! For wearable art, try adding rhinestones to your nails for a one-of-a-kind look. The possibilities are practically endless. For a simple design, decorate only the ring finger. Try stripes on alternating fingers for a geometric look, or apply tiny rhinestones to the base of the nails.

For a bolder look, apply larger rhinestones to some of your nails and surround them with smaller stones to make a statement with your hands. If you want to create an even more vibrant, dynamic design, use complementary nail polish colors combined with a variety of rhinestone nail designs. One nail could have a white background with a diagonal design, while another could be pink with a rhinestone base. You’re only limited by your creativity.

Fight the winter doldrums with rhinestones and add some sparkle to your life. Try and stay warm this month by curling up next to your fireplace or heater and crafting some fun new rhinestone-studded accessories! Stay tuned for more great ideas from The Rhinestone Shop.