The Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival is one of the most anticipated and heavily patronised music festivals in the Caribbean. This year, music lovers from across the region and further afield will indulge in the annual feast of music at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium starting Thursday, January 24. A star-studded line-up featuring Mary J. Blige, Michael Bolton, John Legend, Monica and many others awaits.

Many with tickets in hand are now sorting through their wardrobes thinking what to wear to jazz. After all, we love all things fab and fashionable, don't we?

Well, through the savvy styling skills of fashion blogger Natalia Oh!, we present style tips for jazz 2013. So ladies, take note!

1. Make a statement with your shoes: Wear embellished sandals, studded oxfords, animal print loafers, ballet flats, flat fold-over boots for comfort or choose sturdy wedges for added height.

2. Choose cross-body bags, wristlets, or lightweight satchels as bag choices for wearability and style.

3. Wear bold accessories in contrasting colours to accent linens and floor-sweeping jersey maxis.

4. Stack chunky bangles for an eclectic boho-chic look.

5. The venue is outdoors. Bring scarves and shawls to keep off the coastal winds or to double as a head wrap in the early morning hours.

6. Wear a fedora or a beanie hat to pull a look together.

7. Choose bold lips to make an instant update. Some of my personal favourites are MAC lipsticks, which are all now available at the newly opened MAC store in Sovereign Centre: orange: morange, red: ruby woo, pink: pink nouveau.

Reminders:

It's an all-night event

Depending on what section you are in, you might want to bring an easy-to-carry folding chair to either watch the performance or to just relax during those long band changes. The ones with the cup holders are ideal.

Comfort is key

If you are not familiar with the venue, prepare to encounter grass and soil. You will also be greeting all the friends you haven't seen in a while, making trips to several booths and moving around for food and drinks all night during intermissions. You will also be jumping, dancing and grooving away, to your favourite songs so wear shoes that will allow you to have a great time. Also, you never know how the traffic will be, so be comfy just in case you might have to walk to the venue in order to see your favourite star.

Jazz, not clubbing!

Don't be caught in your club attire. Yes, you should try to wear your best, but there is a time and a place. Unless you're the artiste, please don't be caught in your sequinned and studded mini dress or crotch-squeezing pants. This could scream disaster not just for you, but for others in proximity.

Ditch the totes

Wristlets, clutch or a cross-body bag are perfect for the occasion. Depending on your outfit for the night, it is imperative that you bring a bag to put your bare essentials - lipstick, credit cards and smartphone and ... oops! How could we forget ... cash. Totes will be a great discomfort especially with the lines and when moving around the venue.

Stylist and Creative Director:

Natalia Oh!

Make-up Artist:

Cassandra Gayle

Photography by:

Foster's Rental and Production Services

Models:

Atasha Brown

Erin Facey

Clothing, accessories provided by:

Tuscany Boutique

12 Ward Ave,

Mandeville.

625-7093