I’ve written on this in the past, but I felt that this is definitely a Style File Friday post that can use an update/overhaul. Depending on where you are and what you are comfortable with, you may or may not have holiday parties to go to this year. (Or you might have online parties, which are also a lot of fun!) Covid has certainly changed the way that we dress and the way that we think about ourselves. Some people have headed squarely into permanent comfort dressing, while others look for any chance they can to dress up. No matter what your style is or what kind of party it is, I can help you with finding the perfect holiday party outfits!
Wear Something You Already Own
It can be tempting to go out and buy a new sparkling dress (or a reindeer onesie, depending on your style) for your holiday party. However, fight that urge! We all need to work against fast fashion and rampant consumerism- look in your closet for your outfit. Try layering different pieces that you’ve never paired, safety pin ornaments and garlands to your favourite sweater, or wear a favourite dress. Unless you are someone like me who wears Christmas sweaters for 5-6 weeks straight, you probably aren’t going to get a lot of wears out of yet another Christmas sweater. Or a fully sequined dress. Or that reindeer onesie…
And if you are going to buy something, save it for the next Christmas seasons and rewear it. There is nothing wrong with rewearing pieces (we should all be doing it…) and you can make it a tradition to wear that outfit to your holiday parties each year!
Try Your Outfit on Before the Event
We all lose and gain weight, and we change shape throughout our lives. I don’t believe this is good or bad, it’s just a fact of life! If you are heading back into your closet and maximising what you already have, try it on before the event. We’ve all made the mistake of assuming something still fits when it doesn’t, and then being stuck wearing it. Try the piece(s) on right now; if they don’t fit or feel comfortable, it gives you time to find another option.
When you do try your outfit on, pay attention to the garments themselves. Make sure that you take care of any missing buttons, snags, or scuffs. (I know a lot of people tend to put their nicer outfits away again without really looking at them, and it can be easy to miss these things.) If you check your outfit ahead of time, you will have time to actually repair the garment instead of being forced to put it aside. And then make sure you check again when you are washing it/putting it away! (It’s easier to maintain your clothing when you keep up with it.)
Have Fun With Your Outfit
Unless you are at a black tie holiday event (if so, please send an invite…), I vote that in 2021, we have fun with our holiday part outfits! Wear that ugly Christmas sweater, put on the light-up earrings, and proudly display that Rudolph brooch. The world can be serious, scary, and tragic in a second, and we have to embrace fun whenever and wherever we can find it! You can get crafty and temporarily (or permanently) add some festive spirit to your clothing, or wear specific Christmas items. In any case, enjoy what you are wearing! Gone are the days where we save clothing and makeup for the “big events”- everything is a big event. Embrace the festive seasons and go for the fun!
Bonus: Have a Mask With You
Depending on where you live (and the public health orders) and who you are spending time with, you or other people may be required to wear a mask. The other people at your event also might feel more comfortable if everyone is wearing a mask, regardless of whether or not they are required. Have (a) mask(s) with you and be prepared to wear it!
What are your tips for finding perfect holiday party outfits? Enjoy any holiday parties you have planned!
Cheers,
The Historian
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