6 Tips for Holiday Dressing
The holidays are rapidly approaching and this year is different from the past couple of years in that we are back celebrating in person with loved ones! With dinners, holiday parties and cocktail hours coming back in full force, we’ll definitely be getting out of our onesies and into real clothing again.
While it’ll be great to get back to our traditions, we all know how stressful the holidays can be - don’t let your wardrobe be a contributing factor to your stress. Check out these quick tips for Holiday dressing and make your life a little easier!
Lean into texture
My favorite part about Fall and Winter fashion is the ability to wear thick, luxe, fabrics. Wool, velvet, satin, corduroy, and cashmere are all beautiful fabrics well suited for the holiday season. In shopping with clients in person, I find items made of these fabrics everywhere. Not only do they appear luxurious, they are oftentimes very comfortable - making them extra appealing.
What’s great about all of these textures, is they can be mixed and matched to create classic, elegant looks. Layering these luxe fabrics over each other creates interesting, dimensional outfits. For example, when you layer a velvet blazer over a cashmere sweater or satin blouse, you’ll create a very elevated and classic holiday look. Get the look.
Overdressed is always better
Whether you’re talking about an intimate dinner with family or a big holiday party with strangers, you’re always better off being a little bit overdressed than underdressed. As Oscar Wilde once said, “You can never be overdressed or overeducated”, and this applies at holiday festivities more than any other event. This might manifest in a dress, skirt, trouser, blouse or even a jumpsuit as opposed to your everyday pair of jeans and tee.
Wearing a great trouser and sweater or simple dress will garner compliments galore - save the mom jeans for the Saturday with friends.
Festive Shoe
I am going to an ugly sweater party this year so I am limited in how fashionable I can look. After thinking about how I can make my ugly sweater outfit FASHUN, I had an *ah-ha* moment - SHOES. So while my big graphic sweater and black skinny pants will be pretty basic, I have a Green satin kitten heel with a bow that will spice up the look.
A great way to make a simple outfit into something special is with a killer pair of shoes. Think satin platform, jeweled pump, or sleek leather boot. There are no shortage of options out there, find your favorite and build a simple, classic outfit around them.
Overcoat of course
In my “8 Closet Classics” Blog Post, I save the overcoat as a seasonal bonus and it really is a great item to bust out during the holidays. While we in the Bay Area won’t necessarily have weather cold enough to constitute an overcoat on a daily basis, it is a wonderful piece to have for your formal holiday events. Nothing adds elegance to an outfit like a long, wool overcoat.
Pair it over a dress, trousers or skirts to give your outfit some drama.
Razzle Dazzle em
Another way to give your outfit some presence this holiday season is by adding a sparkly accessory or two. During any other time of year, over-accessorizing might seem gaudy but during the holidays, you can get away with adding lots of shine to your outfit. Pair your holiday outfit with some sparkly necklaces, bracelets and earrings. I especially love hair accessories during the holidays (like headbands and barrettes).
Extra points if you lean into the campy vibes of the holidays - think candy cane earrings, bracelets with presents hanging and Christmas tree pins. Check out my favorite finds.
Comfort is Key
I just listed a lot of items and ideas that will make your outfit stand out from the crowd but that doesn’t mean comfort needs to be disregarded. As we discussed, the holidays will be stressful and it’ll be the first time in years for many of us to be so social - don’t let an uncomfortable outfit get you down. You’ll want the fabrics that are soft and cozy but most of all, stay away from the too-tight jeans/skirts or dresses - after all, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be eating a LOT.
A sweater dress, elastic waist pant, or silk skirt are great options for a comfortable evening celebrating your respective holiday. Get some inspo here.
