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Simple holiday outfit ideas?

sarah

Veteran

For some reason I get really bummed out about trying to figure out holiday outfits - I have a few family events to attend, nothing too fancy, but I'm at a loss for how to put together some fab outfits. Part of the issue for me is that I don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes I'll only wear once - and I don't generally wear party frocks or much in the way of red or shine. Any ideas for simple holiday outfit formulae that rely mostly on SYC items or items that can be worn for more than just the holidays?!

25 replies

Latest reply was from sarah

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I know you said you're not much into shine, but if you already have a black blazer, dark jeans or possibly dress slacks (depending on the party), and dressier accessories, popping a sequin tank top underneath the jacket is a pretty inexpensive way to make the outfit seem more party-appropriate. Something like this:

http://www.express.com/sequin-...../index.pro

I've seen them all over the place for not much money.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I like this top that somebody posted the other day -

http://www.talbots.com/online/.....e=cat90030

They have it in all your colors except blue. You could pop it under a cardigan for a pretty, festive but still fairly casual look.

Anonymous

I like the idea of a velvet blazer in a fun color. I picked one up for the holidays a while back, but I especially like it now with jeans or a denim shirt to dress it down.

kellygirl

Veteran

I love the idea of a sequin top with a pencil skirt or bootcuts. I think you could get it in a fun color and top it with a blazer and you'd look totally festive and fashionable : ) You could also just dress up a sheath with some sparkly jewelry or a sparkly belt. Or, perhaps a red blouse under your Chanel jacket? I can't wait to see what you come up with!

qfbrenda

Veteran

I love that idea....

dark bootcuts + sequin top/tank + blazer + heels (red?)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Maybe just piling on accessories would give you a more holiday feel? Last year for Christmas at my In Laws, I wore jeans, booties, a colored T, black cropped jacket and several pearl necklaces together. It was comfy and casual, but still felt special enough for a holiday. You could do the same thing with a simple outfit and a bunch of brooches clustered together on a vest or jacket, or do several glittery bangles on both wrists.

sarah

Veteran

I knew you gals would help me out. I'm thinking black skinnies, black jacket, black booties, and that talbots sequin tank in the wine color would be one fab outfit...and I love the idea of a velvet blazer. I'll have to keep my eyes out for that. And maybe I can do something with my chanelesque jacket. Thanks for getting the creative juices flowing!

Jonesy

Veteran

I love the idea of sequins paired with jackets and dark denim. I also love Khris' idea of piling on the bling. I like to wear luxe materials like silk and cashmere. So, for example, this weekend we are going to a party and I am wearing a black jersey pencil skirt with black tights and booties, paired with a distinctive silk top with a bold pattern and bold colors that has a V in the back. I am wearing bold jewelry to dress it up.

nancylee

Veteran

Sarah, I'm so glad you asked this question...it's like you read my mind! Dressy events have their own obvious dress code, but it's the casual gatherings that flummox me. You don't want to overdo it, but you also don't want to look like it's not a special event.

The sequin top under a blazer...or piling on the accessories are both great options.

kimlee

Veteran

Sarah, this is a fantastic question, and one that I have pondered myself in recent days. Next week, I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with both my husband's extended family and my own...so I want to look polished, festive, but comfortable and casual. The weather is predicted to be in the upper 60s, so I am planning on wearing, dark wash bootcut jeans or denim trousers, a short sleeve tunic sweater that is dark browns and oranges, and brown booties.

When Christmas rolls around, if the weather is cold enough (living in South GA means I have seen Christmases warm enough for shorts), I plan on wearing dark wash skinnies, with ballet flats, a sequin top in some shade of red, and a blazer or jacket. I have also thought about swamping out the skinnies for a dark denim pencil skirt and tall boots.

Jonesy makes a great suggestion - you can amp up the outfit with luxe materials or perhaps fun tights!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Make sure that the shoes, jewelry and clutch (YES!!!! I am going to encourage another bag purchase, Sarah - I am *that* cheeky), are festive, and you can mix more business casual separates for holiday occasions for sure.

I went to a casual holiday party like this last year:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/12/.....mod-frock/

sarah

Veteran

You all have given me such great encouragement! I can't wait to post some potential ideas to get your feedback.

Angie - I am the proud owner of a red clutch ; ) that I purchased when I needed something this summer - it's not the highest of quality, but perhaps it will come out to play this holiday season. (I love that outfit that you posted by the way).

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, wow!! You are SO ahead of the game, Sarah

Anonymous

Love the look you posted!! The fun shoes and clutch really make it festive

sarah

Veteran

tee-hee, Sammi - that was actually an outfit from the end of summer/early fall. But I see that it actually has potential for the holidays, as well. Anyway, I've got my homework!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I second the idea of sequin tank or top. I had so much use of my black one I got last year - both for party and everyday wear!

nancylee

Veteran

Sarah, that outfit totally works! I think your work is done.

(note to self: buy a red clutch)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

WHOOT! LOVE that red clutch and It is definitely party ready!

I have a thrifted sequin top. Going to see what outfits I can put together with it pronto!

Isis

Veteran

Here's a naiive question from a purse noob----what do you do with a clutch? Hold it all night? Put it away with your coat?

I've obviously never had one.

And because I lose everything I stick to crossbody bags that I can't put down!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Isis, I always worried about carrying a clutch, for exactly the reasons you mention. I thought it would be a royal pain. But I tried it on a recent night out and really found it worked. Tuck in under your arm while enjoying a cocktail; set it on the table or your lap while seated. I had no problems with this at all, and quite enjoyed the flash of it in my hand as I walked!

Isis

Veteran

Thanks Suz! Another horizon for me to conquer!

Anonymous

You've gotten some great ideas that I plan to borrow. I attended a holiday function last weekend where most of the women (over 50's) wore a neutral dress, skirt or pant outfit with a statement jacket or scarf to dress it up. They looked great.

sarah

Veteran

*chuckling at Isis and Suz* - I picked up that clutch at the end of summer at Marshall's because I was going out to dinner with dh for our 10th anniversary and needed SOMETHING. It was inexpensive, but I quite enjoyed carrying it with my animal print flats! I just set it on the table during dinner and didn't mind carrying it around when we went for an after dinner walk down by the river. But I've always wondered the same thing!

Nancy - another vote for my summer outfit! I'm going to try this with nude trouser socks, as I could never go barefoot in Minnesota at Christmas time (not that I'd ever wear these shoes outside anway!)

Joy - can't wait to see your holiday outfits!

Isis

Veteran

So is this your holiday outfit, Sarah? (Obviously with a blazer and socks!)

I'm loving the sequin tanks. Thinking of one of those for myself!!!! (still hesitant about a clutch!)

sarah

Veteran

Isis - probably not, as I've worn this outfit a lot (with a jacket and cardi mostly). I ordered a sequined tank from Talbots to try it out and I'll probably try some other things, too. Stay tuned!