holiday dressing

hi, friends!

it’s the most wonderful time of the year! many of you will be attending several soirées over the next few weeks, including holiday and christmas parties and new year’s eve. i shot this look with delaney to give you some inspiration on how to dress for those parties without looking like a walking christmas cliché.

for this look i wanted to style something something sophisticated and clean but with a more fancy twist. whenever i want to feel a bit fancy, i usually lean towards a more boho luxe look, so i chose my shaggy furry jacket from free people to be the “statement” piece. if your sensibilities differ from mine, a more classic or modern faux fur jacket would lend itself well to this look, too, though. to give it a holiday feel, i also topped it with a cranberry-colored free people hat. to me this is a much less predictable, literal way of dressing for the holidays. try a chic blank canvas like all black and throw in an unexpected twist like maroon tights or heels, rather than a classic holiday red. mixing in textures and more luxurious fabrics (like lace, faux fur, suede, calf hair, or leather), or pairing your look with metallics, will elevate what you’re wearing and make it party ready. also, never forget the power of jewelry. if i chose to add a statement necklace to this, it would take it that much further into party territory.

hat – free people; jacket – free people; tee – vince {similar here}; skirt – h&m; socks – free people; boots – stuart weitzman

these boots are one of my best investments. i wear them at least once a week to work, and they easily transition to a night out or dinner because they are over-the-knee. they look awesome with dresses and skirts but i also will pair them with leggings or slim black pants. because they don’t have a heel, they pack some sex appeal without being too obvious. heels are fun and all, but a boot is just as chic and far more practical for a party. you will look great but be able to dance as much as you want without aching soles.

lipstick is rebel by mac.

this jacket is really fun to wear because of how much it moves and it adds instant glamour to anything. fringey, beaded dresses make a wonderful choice for a new year’s eve outfit because of their sparkle and movement. they are perfect for dancing, and once you have one in your closet, you’ll always have a quick flapper costume in a pinch. to avoid looking costumey, make sure you pair it with modern accessories like a cutout bootie and a simple clutch with clean lines. you can easily wear it casually with tights, ankle boots, a cute hat, and a denim jacket, too.