Happy weekend! I hope you’ve had a pleasant and productive week. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away now? Since we’re quickly approaching the Christmas season, today I want to share with you a holiday favorite of mine. This is a great outfit to wear to a casual Christmas gathering.
In yesterday’s post I shared how I struggle with sticking to my own, true lifestyle parameters when shopping for clothes and accessories. I sometimes tend to buy for the lifestyle I wish I had or dream of having rather than the lifestyle I really live.
But as this year of style blogging has taken shape, I’ve learned a lot about my own wardrobe. In fact, I discovered that of all the components that go into getting Dressed for My Day…My Way, the one I struggle with the most is realistically aligning my wardrobe with my own lifestyle. And that results in having clothes in my closet I rarely get to wear and also not having the clothes that I really could wear. So I have become more determined than ever to buy only clothes and accessories that truly fit my work-from-home, casual lifestyle.
That’s why I love sharing today’s holiday look with you. While I occasionally but rarely have the opportunity to dress to the nines during the Christmas season, I more often have reasons to dress a little festive but still casually.
This is the kind of outfit I’d wear to some friends’ home for dinner and games. Or I would certainly wear this jeans and festive button up shirt to a ladies’ event at church or in the community. And I’d wear this combo to a casual Christmas brunch with girlfriends or my book club’s December meeting. In fact, I can think of so many outings and events I can wear this simple but pretty jeans and shirt ensemble.
Of course, this lightweight shirt is also perfectly suited to the mild climate where I live. But if you live somewhere cooler, you could always add a pretty cable knit sweater like this one or this one (which is reduced in price with code JOLLY) over the shirt. I’d just leave the shirt untucked under the sweater for a trending and youthful look, But of course you could tuck it in if preferred.
But, because I tend to get a little warm when I’m inside and only need to add a little warmth when I’m outside, I’d probably just add a puffer vest like this one or this one or this one (use code JOLLY again!).
The gold shoes and the thin gold thread sewn into the holiday plaid shirt give this outfit a festive feel without too much glitz and glam. That’s why I decided to add both these metallic driving moccasins and this gold double-sided belt to my wardrobe this holiday season. (Talbots has other festive belts, too, by the way, and all accessories are reduced 30% with code MINGLE.)
Styling tip: Simply adding some dressier accessories is a great way to take a more casual wardrobe to a different level. Use shoes, handbags, belts, jewelry and scarves to level-up your jeans and simple tops.
I hope you got a little style inspiration from today’s post. The moral of the story? Even if you have a fairly casual and relaxed lifestyle you can easily dress up your wardrobe a little for the holidays by adding a simple festive shirt or the right accessories. I’d love to know what types of events or outings you usually participate in during the holidays. I plan on doing more posts for “what to wear” to holiday activities, but I’d like those posts to really work for you, my readers. So let me know where you’re going, what you’re doing and what the atmosphere or “dress code” will be.
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Blessed for My Day
As we prepare our wardrobes for the upcoming holidays, let’s not forget to prepare our hearts as well. Today let’s take a few moments to reflect on the gifts we receive through the Christ child. He brought to us the potential for peace, joy and love in world that is otherwise so harsh, hard and even hateful at times. He brought us life everlasting and abundant. He also offers us His companionship and friendship. What other gifts of Christmas are precious to you today?
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Today I’m linking up with Jo-Lynne Shane and other style bloggers at her Fashion Friday Link-Up. If you have a few minutes, be sure to check out the other great fashion ideas there.
I agree, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up on things you’d want to wear if you had a different lifestyle. Your plaid top is so festive and I love how you dressed it up with the gold flats and necklace!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks for sharing, Jill. Blessings!
I know exactly what you mean, Kay. But I’m still fighting the fact that society has gotten so casual. I want to dress up many days, and have fun with my clothes. I realize that sometimes I look too dressed up some days, but I’m fine with that!!
I love your plaid top—that’s something that would work well with so many types of different bottoms.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hi Jodie, I’m right there with you. I like to dress up more than the normal gal, too. And I think that’s why I’m determined to dress for my casual, relaxed lifestyle with a little more style, if that makes sense. Thanks for sharing!
That shirt is so adorable! You just always look so classy! I am excited to be attending a women’s tea at my daughters church in California 2 weeks. She is hosting a table that she will be decorating with my moms vintage china. Contemplating a few different outfits… what would you wear?
Hi Susan. Thanks so much. How wonderful to get to go to this Christmas event with your daughter! Is it in the afternoon or evening? I guess, being a tea, it’s probably in the daytime, huh. I’d probably wear something like these pretty velvet pants or these with a pretty blouse or cashmere sweater. Depending on where you’re going in California, I guess it could be on the warm side, so another option would be this pretty winter white skirt and this dotted velvet top. Finally, this dress would be a pretty holiday option, too. Or this sweater dress might be a nice option, too.