Holiday dressing: what's your uniform? - YouLookFab Forum

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Holiday dressing: what's your uniform?

Anonymous

I'm already thinking ahead to what on earth I'm going to wear to a few holiday gatherings this season. The least of which is my own annual bacchanal ,excuse me, cocktail party on December 6. Like almost everything else I own, my holiday wear "capsule" built up of pieces bought at random over the years is now decidedly dated .

Has anyone given thought to this yet? What are your go-to's for holiday/dressier outfits? I'm not talking fancy dresses here, but rather pieces that can be worn to friends' homes, restaurant or lounge gatherings, you know the sort. Tell me what you've got that is working , or what you are looking for this year ? I need some inspiration beyond the usual leather leggings and silky top formula.

Dressing

27 replies

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Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes! I bought this red plaid skirt just a month or so ago, and I will wear it with (what else) a sleek black top and mid-calf boots (also pictured below). First time I've been ready for the holidays ahead of time. Red plaid says 'Christmas' to me.

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Louise

Veteran

Skinnies and red silky top. I've also bought a black kimono with lace shoulders which I want to get a cobalt dressy top to wear with x

Anonymous

Aziraphale - where is that skirt from??? That is a great idea, and one I wouldn't have thought of. Is that you in the picture? Cool boots too - Miz Mooz?

Elly

Veteran

I have one "sort of " dressy occasion a year and sometimes 1 casual but festive one, then several family events where I cook a lot.

I could wear gallery stuff to parties, but I find that I like a totally different vibe. I'm thinking a furry sweater this year, something I never would have considered before Angie wore one for new years' last. In addition, I want to add a winter LBD in an over-sized silhouette.

Fuzzy Turtleneck Sweater

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Vince Camuto Eyelash Yarn Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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Kamalikulture Crew Neck Narrow Box Dress

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Aziraphale

Veteran

haha, no, it's definitely not me! It's the model. (I'm half a foot shorter than she is). I got that skirt from a local BC company called Smoking Lily. It's headquartered in Victoria. Here's the link: http://www.smokinglily.com. I'm pretty sure they ship.

The skirt runs small, just so you know. Also, it's cotton, not wool, and not lined, so if you run cold or if you live somewhere cold, it wouldn't be a great holiday skirt.

The boots are from Fluevog. I got them five years ago, but it's a popular style so they still make them: https://www.fluevog.com/shop/2.....mith-black

Gracie

Veteran

My holiday capsule also needed refreshing. I removed 3 or 4 items not current any longer. There's not a red item in it, red and I don't quite get along. There's black, silver and gold and lots of texture and shine, some fluid, some bodycon items.

I've bought a black-blue, iridescent (like dragonfly wings colors, beautiful) to-just-above-the-knee pencil skirt and black mesh raglan-sleeve top at H&M (I can't find either on their website). I tested it with my silver sequined-front tank top underneath – I like the effect of the shiny sequins through the mesh, it makes you look twice. This is for a cocktail party at a fancy bar. But, the invitation says: stay for the holiday parade afterwards, bring your lawn chairs! What?! I'll dress for the fancier event and take it from there.

I hope you show us your refreshed capsule soon.

jenanded

Veteran

I am glad you bought this up because I was going to soon with quite a few events coming up. It is hot here so my more casual outfit is white lineb pants and red silky sleeveless top. I just found something for better restaurants and the ballet etc with navy sleeveless long dress with black beads stitched to the Grecian draped neck. Can do heels or shiny black t sandals.

Anonymous

Ha! I only have one party booked in so far so far and it's a Steampunk themed one aargh!! So, I've no advice really as I hardly ever get to go to proper parties

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ugh. I come up against this every single year.

I don't have many holiday events as a rule. And those I have are decidedly casual. Yet I still want to look festive. And I never seem to manage it.

I do have a few items I can pull into play, depending on the level of formality. But nothing that makes me feel 100% fab.

A taupe/gold asymmetrical hen knit top.
A thrifted sparkly brocade shell in black, turquoise, fuchsia, green, gold. (Dates from the 60s).
A black pencil skirt.
White jeans, cream jeans, black slim pants.
Red plaid pants, slouchy.
Cranberry booties.
Short black tux jacket.
Navy Reiss tux jacket.

Most of these things don't work together. This is the problem.

Also, I lack dressy shoes for winter.

I am beginning to think that a shiny pair of jeans like Angie's gold ones along with a soft pullover might be my best investment for holiday dressing.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I don't have many holiday events and I see the same people every year at each one. I actually just disposed of my entire small old collection at the consignment store because I thought everyone would remember it too well.

shiny

Veteran

I have a thread over here - http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....al-capsule... but it seems you're talking about more casual holiday dressing?

For that, my "uniform" is typically a dress. I've got a couple of "go to" dresses:

1) A cobalt blue sweater dress (RL)
2) An AT black sweater dress that has metallic gold cuffs and hem
3) If it's warmer, jersey LBD
4) a LOFT batwing sweater dress that is fun and funky and has a shorter hemline.

... with the black dresses, I bring festive color in by simply pairing with a red scarf....

I also have a bright red Jcrew pencil skirt but skirts are so tricky for me because it doesn't take much of a weight fluctuation for me to not be able to zip one up.

I have a velvet jacket but it's looking dated so I want to find a replacement.

I also have a jacket with dramatic white bow at the waist, I got this in Paris years ago.

I have some velvet slacks as well, but haven't worn them in awhile and it's possible they no longer fit. Normally I feel dressier in a dress, not slacks.

As for dressy holiday tops, I don't invest in anything specific because I like wearing silk tops or tops with metallic in my regular every day, so I'd likely not save it for such an occasion but be tempted to wear it regardless. Then it's no longer "special"!

Laurinda

Veteran

I don't have many dress-up events, this is as formal as I get for
winter get-togethers or symphony concerts:

Black jeans
Metallic or silky tank top
Dark blue velvet shirt/jacket or sparkly (sequined or beaded) knit topper
Black booties

Add sparkly earrings or a bling-y cocktail ring for fun.

If I were going to add anything it would be a pair of fancy pants, like these tone-on-tone jacquard chinos to wear with a soft ivory v-neck sweater.

ETA: This is one place where a cohesive capsule really works well for me. Just a few pieces, all coordinate (black, ink, ivory + silver), all are favorites and I feel ready for any event. Too bad I only need this a half a dozen times a year.

Women's Fit 2 Jacquard Straight Leg Chino Pants

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Women's Fit 2 Jacquard Straight Leg Chino Pants

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viva

Veteran

Like Suz, I will have few events and they will all be relatively casual. I will dress nicely for Thanksgiving dinner and for Christmas Eve dinner and mass, I will dress for fun for my book group dinner and a couple of other events, and I will wear pajamas ALL DAY on Christmas Day (family tradition). I don't have fancy dress clothing even though there are several dresses out there I would love to try / buy if I had the money. (See below for the Pink Tartan dress I currently crave).

But, I've got several outfits lined up that I think will work quite well. They are all quite basic in coloring and all made of existing items, nothing really "holiday" or "special": just black, white and grey, with wine and blush accents, and some shine. I'll add my OTT rhinestone drapey chandelier earrings in all the outfits to amp up the fun. And add more shine.

Thanksgiving
Black pencil skirt
New black/white/grey color block 3 dots long-sleeved tee OR Zara tie sleeve white blouse
Wine okalas

Christmas Eve
Black wool pencil skirt
black suede Cole Haan Booties (mass)
Theory ivory silk/satin short-sleeve tee OR Zara tie sleeve white blouse

For the more casual events ...
Skinny jeans with boots or booties, ivory silk/satin tee, and blush sequined Jcrew cardigan
OR
skinny jeans and booties and Karen Millen tunic
OR
Black Vince pants with white tuxedo stripe and black cashmere v-neck sweater, wine okalas

Pink Tartan Dogtooth Shift Dress

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Sharon

Veteran

I have a few options
*A simple midi shift dress in a polished-looking fabric that can be dressed up with shiny shoes and jewellery
*Silver skinny jeans and a very boxy top with metallic beads on the front
*Dressy shorts with heels and a silky or shiny top

It is alway warm here at this time of year so I can count on being able to wear short sleeves even at night.

tulle

Veteran

I tend to grab a couple of things from my closet, depending on my mood. I live in the mountains now, so I try to mix something dressy with a comfy or sporty element, plus jewelry for sparkle. Last year I wore a black lace top with royal blue skinnies, an outrageously pointy-toed pair of vintage black suede kitten heels, plus 1950s "sapphire & emerald" sunburst earrings for a Mad Men look. The year before it was a gray midi pencil skirt with a silver-shot gray cashmere hoodie, tall boots, and an old Mexican silver brooch. This year I may wear a Cynthia Rowley black wool jersey dress with leather details and a pair of high heeled dominatrix boots (if the right invitation comes along) but my favorite holiday party is always the first: a Christmas-tree-cutting excursion followed by a delicious brunch and lots of Irish coffee; for that one, we all just dress like lumberjacks!

Susie

Veteran

I like this post!

I have a black Eileen Fisher short cardigan with jet beads that I've had for a number of years and still enjoy wearing. I usually wear it with black jeans or velvet pants, depending on how dressy the event.

This year I added a pair of bronzy velveteen jeans from EF. I also bought - at a separate time - an open weave sweater in the same coloring and just recently realized that I can wear them together!

I have two velvet tunics- black and green- that aren't very dressy but feel a bit festive yet still cozy. They are nice for at home days.

I also have a long black and gold sleeveless tunic with an asymmetrical hem. I wore it last year with a black long sleeved tee underneath with black skinnies but I am thinking of cutting it off to use as a tank under toppers.

I recently ordered these slouchy black velvet pants with the plan to add them to my holiday choices...

http://www.eileenfisher.com/Ei.....cale=en_US

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I've prepared a post on this asking similar questions, so stay tuned Lisa. AND my own holiday outfit post goes out on the 1st of Dec as usual.

Yes. I give this thought in advance, which might not surprise you. I usually dress up jeans and trousers. xo

Sal

Veteran

My holiday parties are all looking very very casual this year. Our work do is a harbour cruise where we can swim, then I have a couple of dinners with friends. We may have a day at the races for the most dressy outing.

I will wear a floral dress to one occasion, a striped Bailey 44 dress to something, and maybe a maxi to another. I would like a new special occasion dress but it will wait until I have a specific occasion and larger budget.

We are spending Christmas and New. Year in Chile so it will be quite a different holiday for us this summer. I will take one nice outfit with me in case of a party invite or dinner out but for the most part it will be very casual.

Lisa, how about a 70s glam type look. You rocked those flares a few weeks back, maybe play off that with a flared jumpsuit or flares and glam shirt....

retailgirl

Veteran

I have no dressy events planned. If I do have any kind of holiday thing to go to, it will be casual. I have a black velvet blazer from Brooks brothers, to pair with tartan slim pants from pendleton, with either a black or red cashmere turtle neck or a white shirt. I also have a shorter, fitted black velvet jacket with a funnel neckline, lauren, which I'll wear with grey flannel pants and black lace ballet flats. ( they're black lace over silver leather, pretty, hard to describe.). I have a collection of tasteful Christmas jewelry, metropolitan museum and margaret furlong, sterling snowflake pendant, so I'll be able to add a seasonal accent. I try to wear some piece of holiday jewelry or a scarf every day between thanksgiving and Christmas. No ugly Christmas sweaters, though! I draw the line!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm a little sad that my chances to dress up for the holidays seem to dwindle more with each year. We're spending Thanksgiving in Texas, so suffice to say that I'll be the most dressed up person there even if I'm just wearing jeans and a plaid shirt. I don't know if I'll be home in time for our neighborhood holiday party, but I hope so. I'm sure I'll be scrambling for something to wear, although I do have enough separates that I can cobble something together that will be appropriate and maybe even semi-fab. It's a shame -- I like getting dressed up, but I never plan ahead for any kind of holiday party season because it just doesn't seem to happen much anymore. Maybe my friends are too geographically scattered and too distracted with families, etc. Oh well.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

One of the only few holiday parties we'll likely go to this year include an ugly Christmas sweater party (and I do not really own one, nor do I plan to buy one just for this party) and a casual event a a friend's home. If I do dress up a little it will likely include a very sparkly holiday necklace that reminds me of snowflakes bought last year for $8, some white slim jeans with silver brocade print, a super soft gray sweater to go with those pants and some comfortable deep gray flats for indoors.

I do have one navy cardi sweater with rows of small jeweled ruffles that feels almost "Spanish" in design - that may have to do as my Christmas sweater. It may not be truly "ugly" but it's in my closet just languishing.

I used to be the one to host parties back in the city. Sometimes we'd have like thirty people in our very tiny house. "What to wear" wasn't as important as "where to seat everyone." Now that we're older, it seems fewer people want to go through the trouble to have a party. I had one two years ago but haven't done it again. I probably should.

Anonymous

No dressy events planned, and what I wear will mostly depend on the weather. I want to look nice (not just jeans and sweatshirt) but still be warm and comfortable.

gryffin

Veteran

FFBO Holiday style....Le smoking iterations. Any of the jackets, I have the jcrew ruffle fronted tank from years ago which is my all seasons tux shirt, add interesting belt and booties. I'll swap out the pontes for these old but fab gap sleek ankle pants and add bag/clutch. I can go pretty much anywhere in this. If there is dancing I'd pick a dress - my AT pleated dress with black moto (sally is actually wearing the same levi's moto). For T-day, I good I need cool and breezy - the EF washable wool poncho with tank and ottoman ribbed skirt - stretch and comfort being key. Plus tights and JC Isley slashed booties because everything is cooler when I have them on!!

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Deborah

Veteran

I only have a few events over the holiday season and they are all pretty casual.

At this stage, I have:

End of Year function for my work volunteers
DH's Christmas Party which will be a bbq in the Botanic Gardens
Christmas Day at home with family

We are in summer at this time so being comfortable and keeping cool are priorities. Given the heat, I often opt for one of my LBD's that can be dressed up or down. If the weather is on the cooler side then slouchy pants and draped top might be the go. I do have a few lovely dressy dresses but the occasions for them these days are few and far between.

For my work function it's likely to be #1 and #2 Metalicis Dress and Emilia Block heels.

For the park, a midi length sleeveless jersey dress with drape detail at the back. In black and similar to #3 with Django & Juliette Pyrotech sandals.

Christmas Day at home still to be decided but could be an outfit featuring my harem leggings and drapey top:)

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kerry

Veteran

I stink at this.

I have a few things that could be festive but I always feel like I fall short.

I just ordered a few things from BR to help make some outfits but think it might be too much black.

Here's what I already have ...

BR black lace pencil skirt
Anthropologie grey and cream pencil skirt
NYDJ black waxed jeans

BR ink blue lace tank
Anthropologie blush sequinned cropped cardigan

Nude heels
Black heels booties
Black tall boots

Here's what just came in the mail today ... (see finds)

Can any of this work to make festively appropriate outfits for a huge family pre-Christmas lunch (in a restaurant), a small dinner party (we host), my daughter's school Christmas concert, Christmas Day (we host) and taking my daughter for the first time to The Nutcracker ballet?

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Banana Republic

Dark Silk Tunic

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Banana Republic

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Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

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My go to for most holiday things is similar to Laurinda's - a sweater with some bling and black jeans or velvet pants. I used to have some dressier options but I just never wore them - I might get invited to one holiday party for my DH's company, and then a couple of things with friends, none of which are formal enough to call for a dress, let alone a dressy one.

Anonymous

Wow - everyone with an answer for everything apparently I haven't had a feel yet for what is new for holiday , but Aziraphale , you've sparked something in me with the plaid skirt suggestion. I did check out that website - really cute pieces! I'll be keeping an eye out for something in a buffalo check as I think I could make that work and it would be something completely different from my standard top and pants.

Kiwigirl - holidays in Chile! Wow, lucky you! Not sure you'll ever catch me in a jumpsuit; I think that ship has sailed

Elly - I like your pics, and think you'd be pretty in a fuzzy sweater.

Suz - along with the plaid skirt idea, I would like to find an inexpensive tux jacket. Not to wear with the skirt - but with jeans for an alternative outfit. I'd love to find one with a longer lapel and longer cut . Ink blue or black. Wonder if they exist this year at a decent price point?

vivian - i can see you in these outfits - really quiet and chic. I cannot even fathom wearing a pencil skirt to a party or to dinner - I'm impressed! But I remember that Zara blouse you have and that would be perfect for a holiday event.

Susie- you've got it all covered - very impressive!

Janet- I'm with you on not having very many occasions to dress up for anymore. I really love to wear something different for anything during the holidays, even though most people I know don't seem to.

gryffin- love your suggestions,as usual. The poncho, tank and skirt is another idea I'm liking.

Deborah - i'm really intrigued by the sleeveless jersey dress; another option! Despite it being cold here by the time our party rolls around, I'm always warm in a house full of people and hot food and like wearing sleeveless.

kerry - you've got more in your closet that all of us put together! And the BR order is quite the hay I'm sure you'll be able to pull together a few great combos from those pieces. You're reminding me to check Anthro for their holiday pieces - another change from the usual look for me.