The holiday season is easily the most wonderful time of year, especially because it’s a prime time to experiment with fashion. With our growing social schedules and limited collegiette™ budgets, however, it can also be stressful. Holiday parties can do a number on your bank account, but buying so many different outfits is unnecessary! Choosing the right staples and accessorizing in style are key to a fashionable and budget-friendly holiday season. According to Boston-based stylist Sarah McManus, “This season is all about mixing and matching,” so we’ve come up with classic yet chic wardrobe basics that can be mixed and matched for all of your holiday needs.
Pumps
There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when you don a pair of sky-high pumps: your legs feel longer, your chin’s a little higher, and your confidence soars. The perfect heels are a must-have for holiday parties, because they make any outfit that much hotter. Nude pumps are a classic and chic addition to any collegiette’s™ closet, because they can be paired with practically any party apparel.
Mossimo Paisley Platform Pumps- Taupe Patent: Target, $30
Comfortable Flats
Every collegiette™ should have a pair of go-to flats, especially during the holidays. After all, how are we supposed to dance into the wee hours in our heels? Flats can be fierce, too! Choose neutral-colored ones like black or navy so that they can also be worn with your everyday wardrobe. These flats by Steve Madden are fun and versatile, adding the ideal amount of sparkle to your toes.
Steve Madden Women’s Kinnetic: Shoes.com, $56
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Party Dress
It might seem obvious, but finding a great party dress for this season is not only suggested, it’s required. This wardrobe necessity is easily the most fun and versatile piece of the holiday season, because it can be layered and accessorized with little effort. You don’t always have to go for a classic LBD either. Trying the season’s trends with this piece is a great way to add style and sass to your look, because it can be made more classic with a simple tuxedo jacket or wilder with statement jewelry and vibrant accessories.
Pleated Dress: Forever 21, $27.80
Flattering Skirt
Nothing says sexy like a skirt that gives you an ultra feminine silhouette. Pencil skirts in particular give nearly every woman the perfect amount of curves that turns heads left and right. Rock the room in this BCBGeneration skirt with a tucked in top, and we can guarantee you’ll feel like a gorgeous goddess.
BCBGeneration Ottomon Seamless Tube Skirt: Zappos, $48
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Jewel-toned Blouse
Blouses are classic and flattering tops that can be adapted to nearly any occasion. The holidays are the perfect time to make this staple a go-to for party outfits; they can be paired with simple black trousers or tucked into a high-waisted skirt to add a feminine touch to any ensemble. Jewel tones are all the rage this season, and Boston-based stylist Betsie Kamm particularly likes them because “these colors look fantastic on all complexions and make the most impact when done in silk.” They also add just the right amount of color to a neutral outfit.
Double Ruffle Shell: The Limited, $45
Trendy Top
The wild, trendy, or fashion-forward top is another holiday must-have. Fashion is supposed to be fun, so be fearless when choosing one that wows! Animal print is the perfect way to be a little daring without overdoing it. This leopard print blouse from ModCloth incorporates elegance while still channeling your inner party girl. Wear this trendy top with a sleek pair of pants or skirt, and your outfit will pop at any party.
Leopard-on Me Top: ModCloth, $33
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Classic Black Pants
Tailored black pants are timeless, and cropped versions are one of our favorites; they can be transitioned from season to season and effortlessly dressed up or down. Zara makes these flattering trousers that add a sophisticated yet funky flair to your holiday frock.
Tailored Trousers: Zara, $50
Tuxedo Jacket
If there is one thing a collegiette™ needs for the holiday season, it’s a tuxedo jacket. It’s a figure-flattering, multi-functional, absolutely adorable staple that flawlessly pulls together any outfit. Choose a tailored jacket to keep your feminine silhouette. Stylist Colin McDonald suggests pairing it with a favorite holiday dress or cropped pants to look sleek and chic!
Satin-Collar Tuxedo Blazer: Charlotte Russe, $40
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Now that you have the basics down, it’s time to mix and match.
Cocktail Couture
Going to a cocktail-hour holiday party? Pair a hip-hugging pencil skirt with a tucked-in jewel-toned blouse to create a smart and polished look. As if you don’t look irresistible enough, slip on your nude pumps, and you’ll have legs for days. Of course no cocktail hour is complete without a mod clutch and big cocktail ring to bring it all together!
Shiraleah Arlette Wallet: Target, $15;
Marbled-Stone Circle Ring: Charlotte Russe, $6
Sophia Loren Sophisticated
Channel your inner Sophia Loren with this modern take on effortless Hollywood glam. Pairing classic trousers with a chic leopard blouse is extra sleek and oh-so-Sophia. Wearing black sparkly flats and a statement cocktail ring will bring this simply stylish outfit some added flair.
Beaded Stretchy Ring: Forever 21, $4.80
Girls’ Night Glam
A night out with the girls is the perfect time to experiment with holiday trends because, let’s face it, our girl friends appreciate certain on-trend styles more than our boy friends do. Tuck in your trendy top to your sexy pencil skirt for a funkier take on cocktail couture. Since the top is a statement piece, choose neutral accessories for some understated glam. Nude pumps, a studded clutch, and a bold bracelet are the perfect accents to this dazzling get-up.
Shiraleah Arlette Wallet: Target, $15;
Glamour Bracelet: Forever 21, $11
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Decked Out Date Night
Dressing to impress on date night can make you feel hotter than ever. That’s why you should go all-out with the perfect party dress and daring accessories. Stylist Betsie Kamm says 1920s-inspired looks that incorporate the decade’s drop-waist silhouettes and long necklaces are all over the season’s runways, and this silver dress is the perfect amount of trendy for your night out. Remember those nude pumps? Rock them again with this flirty dress and a long, multi-stranded necklace. Add in a pop of color with a vibrant red clutch, and wear an art deco cocktail ring for a little extra flapper feel; your guy is sure to be speechless.
Shiny Croco Slim Clutch: Kenneth Cole Reaction, $25;
Sparkle Statement Ring: American Eagle, $15.50?
Two Tone Bead Long Necklace: Kohl’s, $16
Family-Friendly Finery
Dressing more conservatively around your family doesn’t mean style has to go out the window. Look sleek and sophisticated with cropped, black trousers and a timeless tuxedo jacket over that must-have vibrant blouse. Complete your ensemble with brilliant flats and a statement ring. There’s nothing boring about this family-friendly outfit!
Marbled-Stone Circle Ring: Charlotte Russe, $6
Meet the (Other) Parents
As if meeting your guy’s parents wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, choosing the right outfit can be painstakingly difficult. Finding the right balance between trendy and simple can be hard to strike, but we’ve figured out a way to mesh the two together. Pair your perfect party dress with a tuxedo jacket to add conservative sophistication, and slip on your black flats for a classic yet funky touch. A fun necklace and big cocktail ring will tie the outfit together, and his parents will undoubtedly notice what a sweet fashionista you are!
Rhinestone & Chain Necklace: Forever 21, $10.80?
Beaded Stretchy Ring: Forever 21, $4.80
What are your favorite holiday wardrobe staples? Share with us below!
Sources
Betsie Kamm, Boston Stylist
Colin McDonald, Celebrity Fashion Stylist
Sarah McManus, Boston Stylist