7 Low-Key Holiday Outfits

“Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead.” 1 Peter 1:6

This holiday season may be different, but it’s still a season of celebration. And I can’t wait to start the festivities. We’ll be putting up our tree a little early this year (pre rather than post-Thanksgiving, if we can fit it in), and have already started the general merriment. It can’t come soon enough, frankly.

Still, I know that the opportunities to gather and make merry and clink cocktails may be limited, and celebrations more subdued, but that’s all the more reason to make the most of them.

I don’t think we will ever appreciate a Christmas more than we will this year. And that definitely makes it a season worthy of stylish outfits.

Fortunately, I’ve come up with 7 festive-yet-not-at-all-formal outfits to take you through an entire season, from entertaining at home to church to family gatherings.

Holiday Look 1

Neutral Dress + Festive Accessory + Printed Shoe

The Occasion: Casual Cocktails

One of the easiest ways to add instant holiday flair to the most basic little black (or navy, gray, brown…) dress is with a fun and festive accessory. Every woman needs a seasonal statement accessory that she can throw on that instantly makes it feel like Christmas. In this case, I added my Noonday Collection velvet bow necklace and leopard Steve Madden mules to my basic black Pepe Runa dress. More fun, festive accessories that you can add to your own LBD, click here.

Kohl’s and Macy’s Charter Club both have holiday themed jewelry and accessories, but I generally prefer a more subtle nod to Christmas, and that’s one of the things I love about a bow motif. At Christmastime, it feels like a festive touch, and the rest of the year it just looks feminine, especially in a stylish (and not little-girlish) version. Here are some of my faves from my holiday picks, all of which can be found right here.

Holiday Look 2

Festive sweater + Leggings/Stretch Pants + Flats

The Occasion: Christmas day at home

Let’s talk about the Christmas sweater, shall we? There is a way to show your Christmas spirit and to celebrate the birth of Jesus without wearing a 3D Nativity scene on your chest.

Introducing the Modern Christmas Sweater.

Unless you’re invited to an ugly Christmas sweater party, there is never an occasion where something like this would be appropriate.

There are some things my eyes just can’t unsee, you know?

So how do you pick a Modern Christmas Sweater? You look for one of two things:

Sparkle/Shimmer/Shine OR

Modern, streamlined, tongue-in-cheek design

Extra credit if you can find both in one sweater. Here a few of my faves, which can all be found in this catalog.

Holiday Look 3

Red Dress + Printed Accessory

The Occasion: Christmas Eve Service

A classic red dress is a timeless Christmas staple, and red is hotter now than ever. Not a red person? Allow me to suggest that it might just be that you haven’t found the right shade yet. From raspberry to bordeaux, there’s a red for every coloring, and nothing feels more festive.

There’s a red dress in this catalog for every coloring and every style. Still not sold on red? Wear green if you must. But just know that I not-so-secretly disapprove. 🙂

Holiday Look 4

Silk Camisole + Midi Skirt + Sparkly Jewelry

The Occasion: Office party

Ditch the blazer if appropriate, and add sparkly accessories to turn office-friendly pieces like a cami or silky blouse and a midi skirt into a party-ready look. The simpler the piece, the more versatile, and you’ll find that these pieces work in a wide variety of looks.

If you’re missing these versatile pieces, check this catalog for midi skirts that are versatile enough to go from day to night.

Holiday Look 5

Lacey blouse + Dark Jeans + Festive Shoes

The Occasion: Entertaining at home

Nothing could be simpler than adding festive accessories to everyday staple pieces to take an ordinary weekday look and make it holiday-worthy. A pretty, flowy white blouse and jeans provide the perfect neutral backdrop for fun shoes and accessories.

Holiday Look 6

Cozy neutrals + Colorful shoes + Fun necklace

The Occasion: Fireside Hallmark movie marathon

After a busy day of holiday shopping and prepping, nothing feel better than a fireside Christmas movie marathon. Simply add colorful shoes and a cute necklace to your basic errands outfit (in this case, a v-neck cashmere sweater and stretchy pants) and you’re ready for a festive night in. The key is to keep the cozy basics simple, neutral, and elegant so that they can go from a day out to a fun night in with ease. Skip the sweatshirt, and try another cozy staple, a simple sweater. Here are a few to snuggle up in.

Holiday Look 7

Comfy sweater dress + Necklace

The Occasion: Holiday dinner party

Bonus Look

Modern Plaid + Neutrals + Shine

The Occasion: Family photo shoot

Is it even Christmas without a classic plaid? I don’t know the history behind the connection, but I don’t care. It totally works. This festive pattern adds a fun and festive touch to any outfit. My suggestion: Pick a plaid and polish off the look with neutral accessories and one shiny element. In the outfit below, the gold buttons add the shine to my plaid velvet shell from J. Crew. Jeans and simple velvet flats complete the look.

Looking for the perfect plaid for the season? Here are some of my favorite fun plaid finds! And of course you can find them all in my catalog.

I hope you feel inspired to try some of these holiday outfits using some of the items from your own wardrobe (and maybe sprinkling in a few new purchases!).