Holiday for the Life I really have

In my time reading YLF, the biggest lesson I've learned is to buy for the life I have. I'm very casual both in lifestyle and attitude.

My challenge this season was to find casual items that had something a little special for some very casual holiday events.

lisap asked us three weeks ago about our holiday dressing uniform. I've never had one. I had a couple of pieces but no real outfits. On that thread I mentioned ordering a bunch of stuff from BR. I promptly sent most of it back!

Angie's beautiful outfit post on December 1st had me loving the gold metallic bags from Fossil.

TorontoGirl's recent post about not being a schlepper but not being a heels and jackets SAHM resonated with me. I'm not a SAHM but am a mom (5 year old) and a kindergarten teacher and a very casual person. It made me wonder if I could do holiday sparkle very casually.

What I already had to work with ...

black waxed skinnies
blush sparkly cropped cardigan
black lace pencil skirt

What I added (see below)

I have been able to put together a few outfits for some casual holiday festivities. Yay!

I hope to wear BR drapey pants and J Crew sequin sweatshirt for Christmas day (at home - we host). Do you think this outfit is too casual for a matinee of the Nutcracker ballet? If not, what footwear would you suggest? I live where it is cold.

Thanks YLF and Angie for your collective wisdom. I've learned so much.

Gap

Shimmer V-neck sweater

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Gap

Shimmer V-neck sweater

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Zappos

Fossil Leather Mini Bag

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J.Crew

Joy tee

$39.50 $14.99

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J.Crew

Sequin-trim sweatshirt

$79.50 $39.99

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J.Crew

Vintage cotton V-neck tee in metallic

$35.00

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Banana Republic

BR Monogram Drapey Tuxedo Pant

$98.00 $87.99

Sale

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9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These look like fabulous options, Kerry! I can see all kinds of festive outfits coming together from these pieces. You made some terrific choices.

I do not think the sweatshirt/ pants outfit will be too casual for the matinee ballet -- people wear all kinds of things. You could add a sparkly bracelet and/or earrings, too.

For footwear, that might depend a bit on the weather.

Do you have some pointy toed booties? That is probably what I would wear if pumps were out of the question.

kerry

Thank you, Suz! Yes, this time of year EVERYTHING depends on the weather! How often do you plan your outfit from the footwear up? Me, this time of year, always!

The only black booties I own are Munro Robyns - not very pointy but might work.

I have an old costume bracelet from BR that I still like but the elastic broke. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Anonymous

Hi Kerry! These are all lovely pieces, ones I'd wear in a heartbeat myself if I could ! I envy you your sparkly items - women who can wear them look so pretty in them. I agree with Suz about the booties . Of course if you're going from car to the ballet without having to walk outside in snow - flats or pumps are perfect! Can you rethread your bracelet? Elastic thread is pretty widely available at sewing stores.

Love that Fossil bag too - what a nice find Happy Holidays!!

Joy

These pieces should take you through most holiday events. I live in a very casual Great Plains city and people at the Nutcracker were more dressed up than anything I've seen. Even quite a few cocktail dresses. However, this was an evening performance rather than a matinee. Pile on some extra bling. Do you have a tiara?

lisap, thanks for the tip on fixing the bracelet. I will check out sewing stores. Do you not like wearing sparkly things? I feel like I'm overdoing the blush/pink colour but I'm afraid it won't be around next season.

Joy, my daughter (5) is wearing a fancy dress so my sequinned sweatshirt might be too casual. She would also love it if I wore a tiara but, then again, she'd probably steal it for herself! She is not as casual as her mom and loves everything sparkly and fancy! I agree a matinee is less dressy. In Toronto, people wear just about anything to the ballet ( day or night) but I'm thinking the Nutcracker might be dressier as it's holiday and maybe not the regular ballet crowd.

Kerry - blush is such a gorgeous colour - go for it! I have sparkle phobia myself - I don't find it great on me as I am not small breasted and it tends to highlight areas I'd rather not. But I LOVE it on others

Bea

Active Member

What kind of jewelry do you prefer to wear? Dainty? Statement? Those outfits would totally pop with some sparkles

Mellllls

you have some great options!

Firecracker (Sharan)

What a great holiday capsule you have gathered. I think the sequined sweatshirt and drapey black pants will be great for the matinee ballet performance. The Munro Robyns will be fine, too. If the weather permits, you could wear pumps, but the booties are a-okay in my book, if it's cold and wintry. I agree with the idea of adding sparkly jewelry, your gold clutch, and top it all off with a dressy coat.

lisap, now I understand. I, ahem, have a rather large set myself but choose do do sparkle either in limited application - like the sweatshirt or under a topper - like the tee. Also, both the tee and sweaters are subtle sparkle, I hope!

Bea and Mellllls, thanks!

Firecracker, oh no, the coat! I don't have a gorgeous dressy coat It's a HEWI. Thanks, though, for Oking the Robyns. Must find great coat! Why don't I have a great dress coat? I live in Canada after all

Canadian here too!

Ha ha! I'm challenged in the dressy coat area, too. No worries--you'll check the coat anyway, right? Have fun!

crutcher

I just had a fashion ah-ha for you...Why don't you find a sparkly scarf to throw over your sequin sweatshirt...Maybe a creme and that would get you through the holiday sparkle...I am so into the tiara...could you substitute a cloche with sequins instead?...smile..

I really love your new pieces, especially the Gap sweaters and the bag!

I never have many holiday events of the kind people dress up for, which is sort of a shame because I'd love more excuses to buy sparkly things.

For the ballet, I wonder if one of the new sweaters with the slouchy pants would have a slightly dressier feel than the sweatshirt if you wanted to go that route?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Super duper casual holiday capsule.

Crutcher, I love the idea of a sparkly scarf. Thanks!

Aubergine, great idea to switch out the tops. I'm might need to do the semi-tuck, which frightens me a bit with an elastic waistband!

Thanks Angie!

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