I struggle with “cocktail attire,” as I don’t love the pressure to look “nighttime” in a tiny little dress. But I do NOT struggle with “festive clothes,” especially during the holidays. I went shopping, hoping to find 1-2 new things, and whoops, found a few more. I hope if nothing else it gives you some ideas on what you might wear to work events, neighborhood parties, or potlucks (outside of the “ugly sweater” which I also love and mostly buy vintage).
The Velvet Jacket
Jacket | Tank Top (no longer available) | Jeans | Boots (similar) | Pearl Necklace | Gold Necklace | Silver Tote
This jacket says “I want to be holiday-friendly” but with just one piece. Of course, you could dress it up over a dress or a mini skirt, but I think on its own over jeans it still feels festive and totally comfortable (and the green color definitely has a lot of longevity, versus a brighter red). The white tank is from Free People via Shopbop, the jeans are new Madewell barrel jeans, the shoes are old, the silver bag is from Anthro, necklaces are from Anthro and J.Crew. Big fan of these barrel jeans from Madewell – I know that barrel jeans are everywhere but these have the best cut and are on the more affordable side. They aren’t toooo wide or tooooo high-waisted (more mid-rise). The cut is GREAT and I like where it hits (ankle length).
SURPRISE! We are trying out a fun new feature where instead of uploading graphics with links underneath, the graphics themselves will be clickable. So here are a few more very cute velvet blazers to check out! (They might take a second to upload, FYI).
My First (And Maybe Last) Faux Leopard Fur Jacket
Faux Fur Leopard Jacket (+ similar) | Black Pants | Boots | Earrings | Jumbo Holiball🙂
I’m not going to say that every woman needs to have at least one leopard faux fur coat in their closet, but I’m sure someone fancier than I would say that. It does seem like a pretty good staple for special occasions (and so warm). This one is SO SOFT and I think really well priced. It has pockets, has a great color combo, and can easily be dressed down with jeans and some pointy heels or dressed up over a dress or skirt.
The Holiday Blouse I Bought In Two Colors
Blouse | Jeans | Heels | Pearl Necklace | Gold Necklace
As Kaitlin put it when she first saw me in this shirt, “NOW THAT’S A ‘BLOUSE’”. I know this top isn’t for everyone (it’s not particularly sexy), but it’s absolutely giving 1990 Martha Stewart in the best of ways for me. It’s blue and green plaid TAFFETA!!!…. with pretty covered buttons and massive puff sleeves. It’s so fun to wear, feels very me, but in a bit of a Trad Wife costume. Of course, I dressed it down here with distressed drop crotch jeans (it’s voluminous so I like putting something more streamlined on the bottom) but I wish I had worn it with a tighter waist (it’s a really thin fabric that is easy to tuck). The patent leather Mary Jane’s heels come in many colors and are so cute. I also bought this top in black velvet which is really drapey and soft, FYI (it comes in a lot of colors).
I found A LOT of great “party blouses” so here are more that I loved (just click the photo to see more):
A Festive Powersuit:)
Jacket | Pants | Boots (similar) | Earrings
I’m obsessed with this floral set, but TBH the legs came in so long that I didn’t have time to hem them and they are ridiculous. I put the top on the gift guide but hadn’t tried on the pants so I was happy that the quality and colors are awesome. I would absolutely wear this to a holiday function where I needed to look fun, but more sophisticated (i.e. a work party?). But I would also wear it to a cocktail party in lieu of a little dress or for a speaking engagement. It’s just powerful but still feminine. Maybe not the most festive holiday outfit, but I wanted to show it off anyway.
A Bold Mini
Sweatshirt | Mini Skirt | Boots | Earrings | Gold Necklace
Ok, this is very, very “me” if I had to do “cocktail attire”. A tiny silver sequin skirt (this one is from Reformation, but I’ve seen this Target one on social that looks really good) and a vintage-inspired sweatshirt (Anine Bing via Shopbop). Throw on some over-the-knee boots (that come in a lot of different leather colors) and some jewelry and I am totally ready to go out and feel cute, but still with that casual vibe.
I think a sequin skirt is such a good party attire investment. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, and New Year’s. Below are some more great options with some additional lengths:)
A Sequin Sweater??
Sequin Sweater | Black Pants | Boots | Gold Necklace | Earrings
I LOVE this sweater – the color is so pretty and the inside is knit so it’s really cozy for being covered in sequins. I dressed it up a bit with black (waxed) trousers, but I would more likely wear this with jeans to a holiday event. It feels festive and fun, but since the color is more understated (a really rich coppery aubergine) it isn’t as bold. The top is a wide mock turtleneck and it’s a boxier cut (I’m wearing a small) with skinny arms. Just so easy to wear and so comfortable for “sequins”.
So while I love the sweater I’m wearing, there are a ton of great sequin tops on the market. These are some of my top pics:
The Sequin Long Blazer
Sequin Jacket | T-Shirt (similar) | Jeans | Boots | Bag (similar) | Pearl Necklace | Gold Necklace | Earrings | Jumbo Holiball🙂
Along the same lines as the velvet blazer, a really festive jacket like this dressed up any outfit. This sequin jacket is more of a long blazer, duster even. It has really great firm shoulders that create a nice drape that is really flattering (not trying to be flattering, instead just a straight drop in a good way. Shoes are from Madewell (I liked the simplicity and the sharper toe with the fancier long jacket). Same barrel pants and a Clare V. purse I’ve had forever.
Hope this post gave you some ideas and made you feel even more excited about celebrating the holidays. xx
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
