STYLE CLASS - PT. 2 HOLIDAY CALENDAR

Details and salient, smart comments below.

When you nail dressing and feeling like yourself in a place rife with environmental factors that would seemingly dictate a fully different look feels exceptionally good. You may even feel a little smug about it, and that’s ok when it’s in recognition that you have maintained your sense of identity, wherever you are, but you still feel fully present and part of the moment. I had this challenge last winter in Montana at a good friend’s birthday party. There was snow on the ground, stone hearth fireplaces, and picturesque mountains. This called for pragmatism first, but not at the cost of creativity. Red tights, of course. Color and warmth, done. A cozy cashmere Sweater, with a bit of a sporty vibe. I always pack stacks of Hanes layering tank tops, something close to the skin is a must and I pair them with everything when there’s 3ft of snow outside. The Cozy scarf is a must, one that is refined enough to wear around the neck when headed down for dinner, but big and gutsy enough to fully engulf you sitting by the fire drinking morning coffee. The Elmo looking pump here is fun, even warm looking, you can imagine that an aggressive red sharp pump could feel really wrong here. This is where you often find that something like a feathered pump fills a real need in your closet. Every day? No. But often, throughout the year, over many years? Yes. If you’ve got to head outside, I love going full on classic here like the LLBean boot. Practical and chic without any pretense.

Rae’s headed home to a small town for the holidays. If you follow our Artist In Residence RAEGODIN on instagram you’ll see that her vibe, straight up, could be contrary to our images of a small town.

Leaning in to items like the pleated convertible Skirt has all the black and functionality Rae’s known for, paired with the Red sweater exudes the holidays but does in her voice. Mixed with the quirk of the Rain boot and the warmth of a black tights and the Green scarf. The Lucas bag is the obvious choice for carrying her art supplies and ipad to JFK’s terminal 4 in December.

What to wear at home - like literally at home, I mean in the house - during the holidays? Something feels incredibly off with a heel or anything too structured or flouncy when you’re cooking (I’ve heard about people who do that), or unpacking the turkey you picked up (at Swedish Hill in Austin, Texas for me), and headed to the couch afterwards for pie (my thing, I can make that - open can, pour into frozen crust, bake). The Washable cashmere here is perfect if you are a messy cook or eater (me) and ease of wear and washing is high priority. The white tights make this a bit “more” - our head of PR at Brittany.tibi nailed this look in Paris last month. You can find options in a lot of places, I’ll let you google search here. The key item is the Skirt - it’s in an Italian stretch wool flannel - that means you can fall asleep in it. I’m not recommending it as pajamas, but it’s oddly just as comfortable. I’m wearing any kind of Flats but ones with a bit of novelty and texture seem extra right, right now. A gutsy Watch gives some big to the slim here and gold Hoops tend to be my go to when I want enough of an earring to feel there’s a moment happening but not so much it’s out of character for just being with family watching Love Actually and fast forwarding over that porno nude scene that just lands so uncomfortably with the whole family.

The Tuxedo Blazer, you’ve seen it a lot in this style class and for good reason because it plays a key role in the closet. Dinner out during the holidays conjures up a little nostalgia, and grabbing your favorite tee is a way to really lean in to that. But remember, it’s dinner, not a football game, the tuxedo paired with the lace Cami lets you dial it up but retain the feeling you want to embrace. The perfect Sandal is on sale here and is a must in any closet tool box- never out of style, sometimes a raging trend, always has a role. The Ryder jean here will also come out in Fundamentals in January without the rips. Options are good. If flats are your vibe, these Sandals read special but comfortable (tho that perfect sandal with a heel can match in comfort, for me anyways - but Traci disagrees, so you know). The purse I picked up at Mcmullens, Sheri has lots of good options for the holidays or the anydays.

Holiday dinner with friends often has me craving, reaching for a bit more likeTibi colorwheel ring 4’s, the good “ton” of one/ton/none. The Completed Works green earring here piles on with the red or the white Gus sandal and topped off with turquoise lace tights, it’s a statement. These tights I bought at Dover Street Market years ago - I don’t have a reference for you but if you sleuth hard you may find them. For me, pairing all this back with the ease of the compact Knit skirt keeps the guardrails up - holiday without morphing into someone else.

That same Compact knit skirt that got all quirked up above can take on a subtle moment paired pack with our old off the shoulder top - this one is nearly 10 years old - when items are subtle and a trend at the time without being a TREND - they’re worth holding on to. I’m breaking it up with a Belt, lace Tights, and have a Sweater ready to tie at the waist gives range. The extra bling of this earring lifts the whole look, to me.

And lastly, a day at the office that rolls right into a holiday party. If the suiting Blazer feels a little more festive than others in your closet, it’s because of the shawl collar. The tall Boot makes this whole fit work for the daytime meetings, no fight here. It’s a look that’s a little bit more than a regular Monday, but that’s what’s This dress does so well. The power mesh is dense but not opaque, it gives a hint but no one’s confused as to whether they’re in a bedroom or a boardroom.

When you lose the boots at evening time and switch in to a Sandal - I tried both in the video, the tights are revealed, and a switch out of the earring and you’re all set for a night out or the rager that’s happening on the 4th floor near Bill in accounting’s office. See?

So there you have it, happy holiday planning. Don’t stress it. Priorities are good, family and friends are paramount, enjoy.