Holiday Capsule Takes the Stress Away - YouLookFab Forum

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Holiday Capsule Takes the Stress Away

fathenry

Veteran

This year I actually planned ahead and bought some pieces to create outfits for the holidays ahead of time. We have several holiday occasions and I like to dress up for them. It has been great to have a nice assortment of pieces to wear to these occasions and get dressed without stress, and also know what I plan to wear in advance but have options for weight fluctuation or mood. So I added 6 new pieces to cover 8 full holiday outfits- velvet pants, sweater, satin skirt, dress, sparkly heels, animal print top.

1. Thanksgiving - new black velvet pants with old floral blouse
2. Annual holiday dinner with friends - black velvet pants with old black blouse,
3. Theater/ballet - new satin midi skirt with new animal print top
4. Work holiday party- new mesh midi dress with new sparkly heels
5. Friend's holiday party - black velvet pants with animal print top, pumps
6. Christmas Eve - satin skirt with new off-the-shoulder sweater
7. Christmas Day- black velvet pants with blouse and heels
8. New Year's Eve- satin skirt with old dressy cami and heels

I already had a silver dress handbag and pair of sparkly earrings, just replacing hoisery. Now that I realize how many occasions we actually attend this time of year I am definitely going to continue this mix and match strategy next year.

Do you have a holiday capsule and if so what's in it?
ETA: I wear the animal print top with a nude bra a little bit looser so it doesn't show through like it is in the picture.

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Boden Boden Slim Stretch Cotton Velvet Pants | Nordstrom

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Jenni NZ

Veteran

That looks awesome! I sort of do, yes. I have a red swing/tunic top, red dress, red shoes, red sandals ( I’m a summer Christmas) and various red earrings, a red cardigan. I also keep other sparkly items including sandals. There are very few occasions now that would arise where I don’t have a festive outfit at the ready. Really reduces stress.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You have made me think that actually a pair of black velvet trousers would be very useful at this time of year!Great strategy for festive dress with no stress.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

That is a very nice and well-planned collection. I’m sure you looked and felt pretty and confident in everything.

i have a similar strategy. See my post today for my most coordinated pieces out of my collection. Without photos, you’ll have to use your imagination with my descriptions. My pieces are:
Bottoms: black dressy slacks, black ponte knit Moto slacks, black and tannish-gold, tiny patterned, brocade slacks, black sparkly mesh skirt, black silky pants with white athletic piping in side seam.
Tops: burgundy print chiffon shell, burgundy textured 3/4 sleeve top, burgundy silky poets blouse, teal lace shirt, black and floral print silky blouse, dark green chiffon pop over blouse, black chiffon popover blouse with velvet trimming and flouncy cuffs.

Toppers: burgundy velvet lace cardigan/jacket, black knit blazer with hood (unique piece from Vera Wang at Kohl’s), black bomber-style sweater with pleather front, a few dressier sweaters which can be layered or worn “as if” (with cami or tee shirt under) alone.

Shoes: burgundy patent loafers, gray velvet loafers, black patent loafers, black Chelsea boots, etc.
Jewelry: I better not get into that.

Good grief, it sounds as if I have a LOT of party clothes. I better add more parties to my schedule. Many of these pieces were purchased within the last year and a half when I had some gallery events to attend and there are only a couple pieces not yet worn. I do wear some of these to church if I’m in the mood to dress up. And the descriptions seem to lean towards black but I rarely wear more than one black item at a time.

Thanks, fathenry, for prompting inventory review!

Helena

Veteran

This is an awesome, versatile capsule! Sounds like you are super-organized for the holidays, so now you can enjoy.

I don't have a capsule per se but I do have a few pieces that I think work well for the holidays mixed in with some of my simple jeans and tops:

- a few deep green tops
- a blush satin blouse
- a deep red pair of velvet pants (I wish I'd gotten black but there you go; these definitely only come out at the hols whereas the other pieces work almost year-round)

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Luxespun Balloon-Sleeve Top

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Boden Boden Slim Stretch Cotton Velvet Pants | Nordstrom

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rachylou

Veteran

I have an ‘emergency’ dress up capsule, but admittedly I like to get something new for the holidays every year. I try to do it in advance, but usually I only manage it for one event and cobble something for the others from the ol’ capsule. A capsule definitely helps!

Runcarla

Veteran

I have a dressy capsule, and like you, I mix and match what is in the capsule - and a few things that are in every day rotation, but work for the holidays. I have been doing this since Christmas 2016 and totally agree with you that it reduces one level of stress around the holidays!

PS: just want to add how much I REALLY like the silky blue skirt with the animal print top with your colouring. Fabulous theatre/musical outfit!

Anonymous

I actually prefer dresses for dressing up, instead of seperates. My green velvet is the dressiest, hope it fits when I need it! Seperates always feel more casual/everyday to me, but I wear lace, satin, velvet for normal workdays so there's that....

nemosmom

Veteran

You have a really versatile capsule! Adding some pieces that can be mixed and matched and that can be worn outside the holidays is really smart!

I have been working on revamping my dressy capsule. Before, it was a a few sleeveless dresses a pair of pumps and a clutch, but I wanted versatility and something more appropriate for cold weather. I passed on all but one dress and added a few separates that I hope to be able to wear all year. We've had two parties and a wedding cancel since I bought the pieces, but I feel prepared for anything that might come up.

SarahD8

Veteran

This looks fantastic. I just commented on Christina's thread that I'm hoping to build a small festive capsule next year. I do have a green batwing cashmere sweater with gold threads in it that I have been leaning on a lot, it's just perfect, comfortable but festive. Now I've worn it the last three times I've had a "well I could slightly dress up for this" occasion, all with the same people come to think of it, so I'd love to have a couple of similar options to rotate through!

karen13

Veteran

That capsule sounds versatile and covers a lot of situations. The piped pants sound fabulous. I have been developing a dressy capsule for opera/cruise events over the last year, but it is not holiday specific. What I need is casual holiday outfits. I used to have a nice velvet shirt that I wore a lot at this time of year, but it died a few years ago and I can't find a replacement.

slim cat

Veteran

Lovely collection - bit of envy . My holiday collection is tiny and needs rebuilding. I still got silk sleeveless top and my "disco" white top with fringe but I'm missing my old velvet black pants ( gone ). I'm looking for more dressy/modern pieces now that could work for holiday too.

always trying

Veteran

Great idea, and love your red velvet pants. I have done the same thing this year.

kellygirl

Veteran

I have to say I've never owned black velvet pants until now but they are the anchor of my dressy capsule. They mix with blouses and sweaters seamlessly and just add enough of that something extra which is perfect for my casual holiday style. Love the dress--I got that too but not necessarily just for dressy but because it has sleeves. Thanks for sharing!!

fathenry

Veteran

It's fun to hear about so many capsules and what you've included in them. The velvet pants really do come in handy.
cjh, it sounds like a lot but when you add up all the events it probably isn't too much.
Runcarla, thanks for the kind words. It is fun to try new colors.
Sun tiger, I love dresses too, my weight just fluctuates so much I can't count on the dresses from the last couple if years fitting, that would be so nice
nemosmom, it is so nice to have pants and a sweater in the mix for those days where you don't want to worry about being too cold in a dress.
Kelly girl, it is a great dress and so comfortable. I hope you will share how you style it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I completely agree that a holiday or dressy capsule can reduce stress. Mine is still probably the least functional part of my wardrobe but at least I have things to wear across the seasons, which is good. I mix these with more casual pieces for juxtaposition, which works for me.

Joy

Veteran

What a great collection! I need to replace some pieces but I have a black wool skirt with colorful sparkly bead swirls that I usually wear with a short black turtleneck in either a dressy cotton knit or fine wool and a sparkler scark with the colors of the skirt and sheer black stockings with dressy black patent flats or black booties depending on the weather sparkly jewelry.
Another somewhat dressy outfit needs replacing but has worked well in the past...a cherry red wool skirt suit with white dressy blouse or black turtle neck from the first outfit. The jacket has belt loops so I use a satin ridden belt tied in a bow, black or a red that matches the suit.
For more casual occasions I wear a red Snoopy tee with jeans under a navy blazer or black leather Moto jacket.
I also have black velvet joggers with a beaded black jacket and black velvet top, black kitten heels or the patent flats
For dressier occasions I wear an EF black dress or black silk pants and shell under a sheer sparkly patterned topper with gold metallic details.
Or an EF bone white outfit with a long matching duster and loads of pearls and silver kitten pumps or flats.
Separates are easy to adjust for weather and change up with aaccessories.

Bijou

Veteran

Wow, you have some great pieces. My holiday outfits and capsule have been:
1. cotton and lace shirt
2. pleated skirt
3. lace dress
4. silver heels
I have been enjoying wearing these items together or with other existing items in my wardrobe.

Shirt and skirt - worn to ballet
Dress and heels - worn to 25th wedding anniversary celebration
I have been mixing and matching the shirt and skirt with other pieces to dress them down.

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