What to Wear to Every Holiday Event on Your Calendar

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When the holidays roll around, some people deck the halls—I deck my closet. Maybe it’s nostalgia from my mom dressing me and my sisters in matching red velvet dresses as kids, but I absolutely adore planning festive fits for this time of year. ‘Tis the season to break out the sequins, furs, heels, and jewels to add a celebratory flare to your winter wardrobe. Whether you’ll be cheers-ing champagne with a festive group, crunching on cookies with your loved ones, or a little bit of both, we’re breaking down five holiday outfit formulas to recreate with your own closet.

5 Holiday Outfit Formulas for Every Gathering

Regardless of where I’m going or what I’m doing, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s I always look forward to getting a little more dressed up than usual. It’s a nice change of pace from my everyday jeans and a white t-shirt look, but I still like to keep things effortless and comfortable—i.e., you don’t need to drop $500 on that red, fur-lined, show-stopping coat that you’ll only wear once in December.

The best holiday outfit formulas are built with pieces you already own. You’ll be surprised how much a red lip and a sparkly pair of shoes can transform your closet, so from movie marathons to happy hours, read on for all the outfit inspo you need this season.

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Holiday Outfit Formula #1: GNO Cookie Swap

My favorite kinds of seasonal girls’ nights include two things: gingerbread and glitter. For a festive, yet laid-back look for a cookie swap or gift exchange, try pairing a crisp white button down with a sequin skirt (or shorts or pants) and a pair of slingbacks. You’ll be comfortable and understated, while still embodying the holiday spirit. Dress this holiday outfit formula up with a red lip and slicked back bun, or keep it simple with natural waves and chunky bangles. 

Holiday Outfit Formula #2: Office Holiday Party

The either much-anticipated or highly-dreaded office holiday party can be one of the toughest holiday events to dress for. Whether you’re employee-of-the-month or your partner’s plus one, you can’t go wrong with accessorizing a chic pair of trousers. Since a white Christmas is pretty much out of the cards where I live, I always love incorporating winter whites into my holiday wardrobe, and I’m obsessed with the stark contrast of black accessories to break up the look. Bring the outfit together with the perfect shade of blush to give that it’s-freezing-outside-but-I’m-happy-about-it glow, and let your accessories do the small talking. 

Holiday Outfit Formula #3: Couples Potluck Dinner

Even if you’re celebrating from the comfort of home, I always like to dress up a bit more this time of year. For an easy, festive, at-home holiday outfit formula, start with your favorite chunky sweater and swap your go-to pair of jeans for a monochromatic silk maxi skirt. Add on a pair of tonal booties and some vintage-inspired statement earrings and you’ve created an effortless, yet eye-catching holiday outfit. Brown is the color of the season, so I’d look for deep chocolate tones and recreate an “espresso” make-up look with a glowy bronzer and eye shadow. 

Holiday Outfit Formula #4: Holiday Movie Marathon

Some people prefer their popcorn strung up on their tree, but I prefer it in a bowl on my lap. Though my guilty pleasure is watching The Holiday in the dead of summer, I dream about cozying up on the couch with my favorite people and bingeing all the holiday classics. For a cute, cozy, and fool-proof movie marathon outfit, a matching sweat set never fails. Keep your feet warm with some practical—but also adorable—fuzzy socks, throw your hair in a clip (for easy face-stuffing), and curl up with your favorite blanket.

Holiday Outfit Formula #5: Evening Happy Hour

For the events on your calendar that might require a bit more glitz and glam, there’s nothing classier than a chic black mini with a pair of opaque tights. If you’ve recently watched Nobody Wants This on Netflix, pair this ensemble with an oversized coat to channel Joann’s outfit reveal energy from episode one. You’ll be turning heads on the chilly walk from the car to the front door and sipping a spritz by the cozy fire inside. This is the kind of outfit formula that lets your accessories shine, so don’t shy away from breaking out your sparkly eyeshadow and giving your favorite metallic clutch a moment to shine.