4 Easy, Festive Ways to Reimagine "Traditional Holiday" Style

December is the month where the power clothes provide is most salient. To fight the dark, there are sequins. To combat the cold, there’s lush wool, cashmere, and velvet. And being that it’s the time of year when suddenly every friend, cousin, and coworker is trying to squeeze in one last holiday party, it’s also the time when I rely most heavily on the dressier portion of my wardrobe.

Having exhausted my more stereotypical holiday ensembles, this year, I’m embracing the season’s stereotypes in a way that feels a little bit less expected. Shimmer takes an understated spin with a pair of shiny sequin trousers from Aje. Knitwear gets piled on to create a blanket of chunky layering that’s a little bit less ugly holiday sweater and a little bit more refined and re-wearable.

Inspired by the F/W 23 runways like Dries Van Noten and Miu Miu, I’ve also been pondering the best way to incorporate a little something sheer into my look. I’m not usually inclined to wear something that shows off my underwear, but I found the perfect piece: a slinky Tibi skirt that’s begging to be styled with a long jacket and a pair of maraschino-hued tights. With all the holiday parties that seem to get packed into the last few weeks of the year, I want convertible pieces that can stand up to not just one dress code but a number of them, and red tights are the kind of add-on that has the power to transform a black minidress or a flowy cotton dress from summer.

As an added bonus, it’s my birthday on December 26, arguably among the most lackluster days of the year to be born. Though I swear I’m no narcissist, there were years when I felt like instead of being a special day, my birthday was just another obligation on the hectic holiday to-do list. To fight the potential of a humdrum birthday, I’ve taken extra care to make sure my best outfit of the entire month is reserved for this day. It’s my chance to bend seasonal stereotypes while still leaning into all the lush textures that make me feel fancy. Frankly, I think any of the four outfits I’ve outlined below are special enough to feel birthday-worthy, but since I’m not trying to execute multiple outfit changes, they’ll hold me over for at least a few holiday festivities.

The Sheer Skirt

Tibi’s sheer skirt is a piece I discovered during fashion week and was instantly drawn to its potential as a powerful styling piece for the months to come. The velvet burnout floral design adds some texture to an otherwise entirely see-through skirt, which I styled with a pair of bold red tights for a sneaky hint of color that peeks out from underneath. A simple top and a blazer that covered enough of my body to not feel entirely naked strike the balance of put together and playful. While it’s not the look I’d suggest for spending the holidays with your partner’s parents or a boss, it’s an outfit I love for a festive night out on the town—whether that be a holiday dinner or a New Year’s Eve soiree.

The Unexpected Sweater

Cold weather calls for cuddling up in layers of wool or cashmere. I’m partial to the idea of skipping a scarf and going for a doubled-up sweater moment instead—one worn as usual, and one wrapped around the shoulders. Maria McManus’ knits are particularly genius, thanks to a split sleeve that I use to pull my arms out for air if things get a little toasty. I know the sweater combo is heavy on the volume, but I’m all for doubling down with a full skirt like the festive-adjacent Chopova Lowena style, complete with a bulky leather belt and floaty pleats. I’d slide on tights underneath for something outside, or simply style with a pair of cozy socks like my go-to cashmere ankle socks from Comme Si. Loafers are my shoes of choice for in-between outfits when I’m not quite committed to breaking out heels but still want to give off a dressy vibe.

Glitter Pants

Something sparkly is a requisite for the holiday season, but instead of the usual Paco Rabanne–style skirt or metallic bandage dress, a pair of sequin-encrusted trousers encapsulates that festive sense of shine in a unique way. I chose to style them with a going-out top, an underutilized wardrobe staple in my closet, but I could envision throwing on a coordinated blazer or a silky button-up for a little more coverage. Styling the simple top with shimmery pants and a silk scarf tied around the waist adds some dimension and takes it out of dimly lit bar territory and into festive holiday attire. Statement earrings and crystal-encrusted mules, the ultimate pair of party shoes, are the finishing touches.

Off-Season Style

When I first got this strapless minidress, I envisioned wearing it in the deepest throes of sweaty summer. I’d be on a rooftop somewhere sipping a Negroni at sunset in nothing but a teeny-tiny dress and a pair of heeled sandals. Oh, how wrong I was. It turns out a minidress is the perfect piece to break out for the holidays. Layering a heat-tech top underneath, along with a sheer pair of tights and tall boots, hints at the idea of a little skin while still keeping things relatively covered up. A classic trench coat or minimal khaki style, like this one from Dunst, is a sleek finishing touch.