- Embrace fun holiday styles, stylishly! | Photo courtesy of c h e e s e roc via Flickr Commons
Bust out the egg nog and carols; it’s finally that time again! Winter break and holiday cheer are just around the corner. Classes are winding down, finals will soon be over, and present shopping is quickly becoming an athletic activity. This is a very special time, not only because you get to relax, spend much-needed time with friends and family, and party like the world is going to end tomorrow–this is the time of year when you get to break out your cheeriest, sparkliest and most festive ensembles for the zillions of intimate gatherings, glamorous cocktail parties, and down-home hangouts you’ll attend this holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or if you just love the holiday spirit, here’s how to bust out the holiday glitz without becoming a walking Christmas ornament.
The Christmas sweater. There’s nothing more Christmas than a Christmas-themed sweater. Be it reindeer, snowflakes, or a jolly Santa gazing out of your favorite seasonal knit, these are the garments that more than anything else scream, “Happy Holidays!” That said, these cheery sweaters have a tricky reputation; we remember them either as the corny-as-Kansas-in-August monstrosities worn by Mom and Dad at family Christmas dinner or by a younger set with a healthy side of irony. While both of these attitudes towards the Christmas sweater have their place (Hello? What would Christmas be without Mom in her atrocious Santa-on-the-beach cable knit, or that amazing Ugly Sweater party that goes down every year?), there are also ways to wear a Christmas sweater seasonally, stylishly, and without a chip on one’s shoulder! Try a slim-fitting, low-key version emblazoned with your favorite holiday emblems and pair it with a short skirt in a neutral color, tights, and booties. For extra warmth, layer a crisp button-down under the sweater and allow the collar to peek out for a little dose of prep. Another way to work the infamous sweater is to go oversize and wear it as a dress with leggings, a topknot, and some killer accessories. Look for toned-down patterns that are cheerful without entering into the fabulous glory of the “ugly Christmas sweater.” Anyone can pull it off with style and grace.
Cocktail parties. Get excited! This is party season. This is when you can really go all-out with glitz and glamour. A truly stylish holiday party outfit, however, plays with the expected (but still adorable) little black dresses and glittery metallic minis and turns them on their heads. Try, for example, a dose of full-on sequins in an unexpected locale—covering a pair of shorts or a pencil skirt while pairing either with something low-key on top, or lending crazy glamour and luxurious weight to a loose t-shirt. Look for interesting takes on shine; matte sequins and atypical colors, like pure white or dragon-scale green, are cool-girl alternatives to silver, gold, red, and black. Also think about playing with shape—instead of a tight little mini, why not go for something loose and diaphanous, or even an adventurous peplum? Embracing the holiday glitter is as fun as getting dressed can get…why not try something new?
Tis the season to embrace glamour! Go for it, get creative, and have fun with fashion!
Happy holidays from all of us at The Quad!
