We’re deep into holiday party season at this point, with just about a week and half left until New Year’s Eve. This past weekend, Adam and I went overdrive on the holiday parties, making it to three on Friday night that took us all over DC and the political spectrum. Seriously, we started with a bunch of Republicans in downtown DC and ended with all Democrats in Shaw. Could there have been a more stereotypical DC night? In between those two, we went to Alexandria and had a fabulous time with Stephanie of Magnolia Stripes. Steph and her husband Drew’s new home is absolutely adorable, even more so since it’s decorated for the holidays, and, no surprise, they are the warmest hosts.
So, what did I wear? The outfit in this post is actually what I wore Saturday night, but Friday night I opted for leather pants, black pumps, a black and gold top, rhinestone earrings, and my absolute favorite faux fur jacket.
MY HOLIDAY STYLE
Holiday style is hands down my favorite style. I can’t stop with the rich fabrics, sparkles, and elegant color palettes. Red is not my color, and green seems a little too on the nose with my hair, so I tend to steer towards black, gold, and navy. I almost always opt for a faux fur jacket, whether it’s a versatile cropped brown number or a hip-length leopard print. Fun tights can be a plus, and I’m actually thinking this sheer pair counts in the fun category. In a world of opaque, sheer adds a bit of sexiness and a little 80s throwback. And don’t forget sparkle, you can never have too many sequins or rhinestones.
THIS HOLIDAY OUTFIT
I threw this outfit together last minute but absolutely loved how it turned out (hence why I put it back on the next day to take these pictures…). I picked up the black bell sleeve turtleneck at Ann Taylor when I was on the hunt for a new black turtleneck that could be easily tucked in. My old cotton black turtlenecks from Target are starting to fade, and I had heard that Uniqlo has the absolute best black turtlenecks. Well, no luck there, so I figured while I was at Union Station, I might as well check out the other stores. I didn’t turn up anything, but this merino wool number was close enough, and definitely the right price, so I decided to go for it. I tucked it into this sequin skirt I got years ago from J.Crew Factory on New Year’s Eve (last minute shopping), paired it with this sheer black tights from Berkshire Tights, slipped on these black pumps with a tortoise heel that I’ve been wearing with everything, carried a simple black clutch, and topped it all off with navy faux fur.
Looking for a similar navy faux fur jacket? Try this luxurious option from ASOS or this reversible number from Nordstrom. Need a sequin skirt? This pencil skirt from Ann Taylor is a steal or you can opt for a major splurge that’s absolutely stunning.
FINDING VINTAGE FESTIVE WEAR
I’m a huge fan of finding vintage and secondhand items for special occasions. It’s the best way to end up with an outfit that you absolutely know no one else will have (ignore the fact a friend of mine also showed up Saturday wearing a black mock neck, sequin skirt, tights, and black shoes…). But, to find those items, you’re best off just keeping an eye open at all times rather than setting out on a hunt for the perfect piece.
I ended up with this navy blue leopard faux fur coat when I popped in a secondhand store in Alexandria, Virginia while wedding dress shopping. My future mother-in-law is also a big fan of vintage, so we had to stop in when we walked past a store. I have a radar for fur, so I immediately spotted this jacket. I tried it on, it was a little big, but I told myself that meant it was cozy, and walked out of there with it for $40. Did I know I needed a coat like this? Nope, but I’ve worn it countless times this year. If you want unique items, you have to be open to finding them at a random moment.
The jewelry I’m wearing was my grandmother’s costume jewelry. She had lots of rhinestone pieces from presumably the 1950s-60s, and I snagged all of them. I love wearing them all throughout the holiday season whether it’s with a party outfit like this or just a casual sweater and jeans.
YOU CAN MIX NAVY AND BLACK?
Of course you can! I actually love navy and black together. Done intentionally, I think it has such a high fashion, sumptuous look to it. And, there are some shades of navy, like this one, that are actually best paired with black. I tend to wear this coat over a slim black turtleneck tucked into a pair of jeans. It’s such a sophisticated look and I think makes the navy pop more than it would over another color.
THE HOLIDAY PARTY SEASON CONTINUES
Make sure to follow me over on Instagram for more holiday party looks as the season continues. I’ll have more casual styles and my New Year’s style all on display for you.
