The Ultimate Festive Dressing Guide
Festive outfits from my own wardrobe, a few pieces I'm admiring, and some thought starters if it all feels a bit overwhelming.
Dressing for the festive season is a lesson in duality. On the one hand, it’s the brushed cotton tartan pyjamas (or nightgown, if you’re me), the shearling slippers, and the cozy fair isle knits. On the other, it’s voluminous dresses and velvet bows and all things whimsical.
I love dressing for the holidays — in all its wonderful forms — and frankly I look forward to it all year. My favourite part is the creativity, most especially because I don’t like (read: can’t justify) buying pieces for a single event or occasion, so it really becomes a fun exercise in styling and accessorizing.
When thinking about holiday dressing, I’m always looking for pieces that can be worn again and again for all sorts of occasions, and that feel joyful, nostalgic, and slightly glam. The sort of piece that feels just as exciting to put on three, four, five years later as it does when you first acquired it — those are the sorts of pieces I spend all year looking for.
So, if you’re looking for a little bit of festive dressing inspiration, I thought I would share a few looks that I’ll personally be wearing this month — from the ballet to our December anniversary dinner to Christmas Day — along with a few gorgeous pieces in case you’re in the market for something jazzy.
I love a bit of nostalgia this time of year and this look is that in spades! A very me outfit if ever there was one, filled with a few absolutely epic sale finds. The cotton-blend taffeta dress was one I had been admiring since last holiday season, but I ended up scoring during the Dôen summer sale at over 70% off (a lesson in patience and off-season shopping!). Similarly, the coat and bag were both minimum 30% off from SSENSE sales over the years, but the coat in particular is such a special one and has the most gorgeous vintage-inspired cut (and a moment for the bracelet-length sleeves please!). Add some lace tights, patent shoes, and velvet bow headband and this look is complete!
Some more excellent sale finds in this look, which really is my favourite way of adding extra special pieces to my closet. Both the coat and dress were Dôen sale pickups from over the years, and what I love about this look is that neither of these pieces are explicitly “holiday” — it really comes together with the velvet headband and red tights, both of which are very budget-friendly. The coat is a gorgeous one for throughout the autumn and winter, and the dress is seasonless enough that I’ve worn it to summer weddings and to celebrate our December anniversary for two years running — talk about versatile.
More festive nostalgia! The polka-dot tulle skirt from Sézane makes me feel like a princess. Add a postbox red cashmere cardigan and fancy flats, and this look is ready for the dance floor circa 1958.
Lastly, a slightly more casual look that I might wear to Christmas Day with my family. I am very much loving a tonal tight and shoe moment, and this burgundy on burgundy matchup feels so perfectly festive. A chunky knit winterizes my favourite summer skirt, with a little ruffled collar poking out to make it feel a little fancier. Something about this look feels slightly Little Women to me!
Now, if you’re in the market for something special this season, I’ve shared a few pieces below and you can shop my full edit here. As always, my favourite way to bring a bit of festive cheer into my looks this time of year is with accessories, so I’ve given them a little bit of dedicated attention here! On the clothing side, many of these pieces would look just as special with jeans or a t-shirt in February as they would now for a fancy gathering.
This ivory silk number from Christy Dawn has been featured on here before but I simply cannot get enough. It’s the sort of piece you’d return back to year after year, for all sorts of different occasions (any brides-to-be out there?!).
This Rixo cape is simply perfect. It would look gorgeous over your favourite simple black dress to amp it up for the holidays, but I also think it would be equally cool with jeans and a little top for a big birthday.
Another “just add jeans” number, this Aligne top is so fun for this time of year.
Perhaps the most explicitly “holiday” piece on the list, this Dôen dress is the stuff of dreams, and the kind of thing I would stalk in the sales and on secondhand sites for years to come. It’s so beautifully 1960’s inspired yet timeless all at once.
Shrimps is a brand I’ve dreamed of adding to my closet for years, and their coats are truly so special. There’s something about tartan this time of year that feels festive but isn’t as obvious (and therefore limiting) as say, velvet or sequins. It’s the perfect “the coat is the outfit” kind of a coat.
The sort of knit that’s perfect for Christmas but won’t languish in your closet for 11 months of the year like any other Christmas sweater. It’ll add a nostalgic festive element to the simplest of outfits in December, but will work just as well in the depths of winter. I adore the pointelle detail and vintage-inspired silhouette, as Dôen does so well with their knitwear.
I know I just used the term “obvious” to describe velvet, but it really is the quintessential festive material for me, and this Queens of Archive jacket is just glorious. Outside of the festive season, I think this would be a lovely topper for any late-autumn or winter weddings or even just with jeans for an evening out.
Another Queens of Archive number but they do festive yet versatile pieces so well, and we all know how much I love a 60s-inspired piece. This little mini feels very Prada yet mod to me. Also, a moment for the hat!
A festive colourway of my much-loved Marissa dress from Christy Dawn, this green print with velvet trims feels so Christmassy yet infinitely wearable. I always feel like a princess when I wear mine and I’d be lying if I said I weren’t considering getting the green.
Silk taffeta with velvet trims, an absolute frothy festive delight from Hai!
In my dreams I have an entire rainbow of Carels for all seasons and occasions. My black Kina’s are my absolute favourite shoes in my wardrobe and this platinum colourway is perfect for the holidays. They also happen to be my dream wedding shoe for myself — versatility!
A girl can do no wrong with a Loeffler Randall clutch for all sorts of occasions. I particularly love this metallic version with the little bow.
This pearl necklace from Chan Luu brings a little bit of baroque drama. I love how much of a statement this is.
My favourite way to do velvet this time of year is with headbands. They tend to be quite budget-friendly (although this particular one from Jennifer Behr is definitely a splurge) and add an instant festive touch to any outfit. The green is sold out but the black is very chic!
Everyone needs a fancy flat and this moiré pair from Loeffler Randall are so lovely. They know how to do a bow!
If my favourite way of doing velvet this time of year is a headband, a close second is little bags. This one from Hai is so adorable; I have the smaller version in yellow silk and it is so fun to carry around.
If velvet’s not your thing, this beaded bucket bag from Rixo is so darling. I can just picture those fringed bits swaying so satisfyingly.
Black leather gloves are a wintertime essential, but they really amp up a festive outfit. These are from Maguire and I can personally vouch that they are excellent. If you’ve already got yourself a black pair, burgundy is the next level up; I’m personally eyeing these for their slightly longer length.
These Jennifer Behr earrings are the stuff of dreams, and make my heart hurt a bit as a girl who can’t do piercings. Sparkles, pearls, and just a little bit dramatic — perfect!
Another velvet headband but this Dôen version is amped up a little bit. I love the shade of burgundy.
More Carels because a girl can never have too many, but these are the Ariana’s which are slightly lower than the Kina’s. The burgundy with green interior just screams Christmas to me but these would be so wearable all year round.
To round it all up, I’ll leave you with a few thought starters/pieces of advice if festive dressing feels a bit overwhelming/confusing/stressful!
Think about materiality in accessories. Velvet, metallics, taffeta, sequins, and tartan will always conjure the holidays. Accessories such as headbands, shoes, scarves, and bags in any of these materials are a low-barrier way of making even the simplest of outfits feel more festive without committing to a statement dress or jacket that may not be wearable for most of the year.
When in doubt, add a pop of red. The colour red had a big moment a couple of years ago but it really is a tried-and-true way of giving a simple outfit a little lift. It’s explicitly, obviously Christmassy yet it won’t look out of place in the depths of February. A red knit, red bag, red shoes, or red dress will always work during the festive season but won’t be a wasted investment.
Remember the power of hosiery. That pop of red I just mentioned? It could be as simple as a red tight or sock. There’s a reason why three out of the four outfits I shared above had some sort of hosiery moment included — a good texture or colour will always amp up a simple outfit. Don’t feel like you need to stick with black.
Look for special pieces in the off-season. Don’t forget about the holidays during the summertime. The July sale period is my favourite time to find statement, special pieces on heavy discounts that I wouldn’t have been able to snag otherwise. Some of my favourite pieces were purchased this way, and it always feels like such a treat when I get to give them their time to shine months later.
That’s all from me today! Thank you ever so much for reading and I will see you in the next one.
Victoria x
*As a disclaimer, this post includes affiliate links. This means that, should you choose to buy one of the items featured here via my link, I receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. If interested, you can peruse more of my picks here. Thank you as always for your support.