By Janet Bennett Kelly

Published: Thursday, December 20, 2012, 8:51 p.m.
Updated: Friday, December 21, 2012

Economic predictions notwithstanding, gold hit new highs with designers for winter. Models clad in gilded gowns resembling Oscar statuettes slunk down runways at Marchesa, Prabal Gurung and Ralph Lauren, while at Dolce & Gabbana, metallic embroidery threaded its way onto coats, dresses and skirt-suits. As the season of long nights, short days and partying arrives, make gold a standard accent in your wardrobe. Here, some suggestions:

• These gold-embroidered ankle boots will give you a lift in spirits and stature (they're 41⁄4 inches high). A zippered back ensures they hug your foot. We wouldn't be surprised if there were, er, a rush on them. $169 at www.zara.com.

• When you're out of ideas for what to wear for yet another evening out, rescue the night with Alice + Olivia's metallic-knit sweater. Pair it with trim velvet trousers, and you'll feel almost as good as gold. $297 at www.bloomingdales.com.

• Follow the golden rule for party-ready peepers in December. Makeup artists at Marchesa rimmed models' eyes with Laura Mercier's shimmery gilded shadow. Balance the shine with black liner, mascara and lacquered red lips. Illuminating eye color in gilded moonlight, also available in platinum, rose gold and bronze, $24 at select department stores, www.bluemercury.com, www.sephora.com and www.lauramercier.com.

• Who would have thought vinyl placemats could be glamorous? Dress up your tabletop with Chilewich's lacy version to edge your plates with elegance. Also in silver, gunmetal, bronze and black. $10 at Table Top in Washington or www.tabletopdc.com and www.chilewich.com.

Janet Bennett Kelly is a writer for The Washington Post.

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