Normally I like to scour the internet for my favorite images when crafting a post. Given the holiday season and my usual time constraints, however, tonight I’d just like to share a few holiday dressing ideas that have garnered my attention.
I don’t typically attend a lot of cocktail attire events during the holiday season; rather, my holiday social schedule consists of casual gatherings of family and friends that provide a welcome sartorial respite from my week days of suit dressing. So my go-to attire for holiday gatherings is usually a sweater (I adore Ralph Lauren cashmere) or a button down plaid shirt from J. Crew in darker colors and a pair of dark skinny jeans, or more recently (the past two seasons), a pair of coated skinny jeans from Zara, my first Zara purchase, made on a whim. I like to add a pair of riding boots or short motorcycle boots with my ensemble. Lately, I’ve been trying to change things up a bit. I’m occasionally replacing the plaid button downs with feminine tops and the boots with a pair of smoking slippers, one of my obsessions that’s worthy of its own post.
I picked up these babies in black, a bow version of the Miu Miu smoking slippers I spotted last spring:
Some other smoking slipper picks: Charles Phillip Shanghai, Ann Taylor, and Charlotte Olympia.
I learned this past week that my holiday attire picks are in good company. I was delighted to see that Preston Davis of Keep it Chic favors similar attire for the holidays.
I know that most people equate holiday dressing with some glitz and glamour, though, and for those of you wanting a bit more of that, I have a couple of other ideas… The key is to create a simple base and add some pieces with impact. The holidays are just the right time to break out the plaid, fur, jewels, and feathers; add a bit of whimsy to a sleek ensemble. Lately I’ve even found that the addition of a tartan silk scarf to a black outfit adds just the right amount of Christmas cheer.
A sleek blazer is just the right base for casual to formal holiday wear. Try pairing it with one of these feminine, silky blouses.
Or go with a classically constructed dress with opulent details, holiday hue optional.
Rebecca Taylor. Another amazing option from Alice & Olivia here.
Or, if you prefer to go a bit more casual, pick a feminine top to pair with a simple pair of pants or skirt:
If your clothing volume doesn’t go above a whisper, be sure to make your exclamation with accessories:
And because I always appreciate fashion with a dose of humor, check out Elle’s guide to holiday movie inspired dressing and my favorite holiday accessory:
Net a Porter
It’s a classic.
What are you wearing this holiday season?
It’s time to step away from outerwear posts and talk about the clothing combination that has been consuming my focus this autumn: the sweater and skirt combo.
It’s a classic combination. It’s easy to pull together; most of us have some sort of simple knit sweater and skirt in our wardrobe. And for some reason, right now, this combination looks fresh. Streetstylers have rendered the skirt and sweater combo modern chic by pairing a masculine fisherman sweater with a feminine flouncy (some say fluted) skirt. The combination of masculine and feminine elements in a single outfit gets me every time. It can be difficult to succintly define one’s style, but if pressed, I think I might say that my style is a bit of masculine with a bit of feminine. The current SS combo embodies just that.
My 25 Things Challenge (more on this to come) has caused me to be more thoughtful about my purchases and aim to add specific items to my closet. Ever since I spotted the SS combo, I knew I’d have to add the two key items to my closet. As of this past week, I completed the mission.
Now for some SS combo inspiration…
Via Tumblr
Blame it on Fashion via Haute Design
Theyskens Theory runway via Bazaar
Celine Fall 2013 via New York Magazine
Jennifer Connolly via Elements of Style
Via Pinterest. Gwyneth Paltrow wearing Celine in 2011. (Side note: I saw a great Antik Batik sweater at Galeries Lafayette last month that reminded me of this sweater. I considered buying it and didn’t. A similar version is available on the Antik Batik website. Other split-hem fisherman sweaters can be found at Ann Taylor Loft and Anthropologie.)
Now, to recreate the SS Combo:
SWEATER OPTIONS
I purchased this now sold-out Madewell sweater. If you’re interested in this sweater, you might want to call customer service or check the stock at your local store. Make sure to keep in mind that it runs large. I ended up ordering an XS, a size I never wear!
Here are my other favorites:
Some other fisherman sweaters I recommend checking out: Lord & Taylor, Lands’ End, TopShop, Steven Alan, LLBean, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
An inexpensive Liz Claiborne option
Other inexpensive options can be found at Dorothy Perkins here and here.
For a turtleneck version, I love Brooks Brothers’ take. Other options are available from Peregrine by J.G. Glover, Altuzarra, J.Crew, and Zara.
SKIRT OPTIONS
I picked up a black flouncy skirt in the Zara section of Galeries Lafayette in Paris. I don’t see my skirt online here in the US, but there is a patterned version of it for sale here.
BCBG. BCBG has other options: here and here. Be forewarned that these skirts are clingy.
Barneys. Another Barneys option here.
I love J. Crew’s version in navy.
Asos. Asos has a patterned version as well. So does Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Banana Republic has a couple of good options here and here.
And the piece de resistance…
This silhouette will have staying power throughout the spring; spring runway fashions included the SS combo, particularly the flouncy skirt. So rest assured you can continue flouncing your way into spring!
J. Crew ensemble via Daily Cup of Couture
Balmain via Harper’s Bazaar
Balmain via Daily Cup of Couture
Is the SS combo a part of your wardrobe? What do you think is the freshest fashion combination of the season?
While I went away to Paris desiring a leopard coat, I quickly dispensed with the notion when I saw everyone (women, men, and children) wearing toggle coats similar to the one that I purchased for Baby Boy to wear this year. I had to try on the Malene Birger coat I posted about before my trip, but it didn’t suit me. The toggle coat did suit me, but I ultimately decided to wait and scout out options in the U.S. Toggle coats are classic and upon returning to New York, I’ve noticed that they are becoming popular on the streets here once again too.
The options are plentiful at every price point. Unsurprisingly, Burberry, the classic coat maker, sets the gold standard. Here are my picks:
Marc New York. Also in oxblood, camel, and cream. A similar option from Tommy Hilfiger here.
Burberry. Another fantastic camel option here.
Zara. Other Zara options: Here and here.
Which would you choose? Do you own a toggle coat?
