Today on Signature Style, outfit ideas and inspiration, plus great pieces for your holiday events. Cindy and I have some styling tips and more.
Are you ready for the holidays? I don’t have any big parties this year, but maybe a few casual gatherings with friends and family! Last year Max had a big work party in San Francisco, but I’m not sure we’ll go this year.
I was at Bloomingdales Monday picking up something and chatting with my friend and Ba&sh stylist, Leslie. We talked about party clothes. A lot of us who live in California go for a more casual holiday look. Ba&sh is so good at making clothes that you can go out in that feel good too.
Ba&sh makes a lot of festive pieces and I tried on this sparkly blouse which reminded me of the disco era tops- fun flowey and flattering. I would wear this with slim jeans or a black pant. This green sweater has crystal buttons and is beautiful.
I had to try their silky pant and tank combo with sparkly stones that would be great for a party. I also adored this super soft faux fur bomber jacket. This would be a great look for a night out in San Francisco! I encourage you to visit Ba&sh at Bloomingdales if you have a special party. They have some elegant things.
All the stores at Valley Fair have holiday looks on display right now. This Vince silky embroidered shell and slip skirt -also at Bloomies, was gorgeous! So much prettier in person than online. LOVE it.
Banana Republic also was so good with colors and textures. I loved this satin top, the velvet dress, and the sheer organza blouses reminded me of one I wore in the 80’s in New York! This kitten heel sandal was also a great shoe for the holidays…and I am a sucker for a sequin t shirt dress! All BR party clothes here.
Check out your closet first
So many pretty things to choose from, but before you take your credit card out, go home survey le closet. There is a high likelihood you have forgotten about those dressier pieces which gravitate to the back of the closet in summer. They’ve been waiting all year for their chance to get their day in the sun. See what you can use to make a few different looks.
Take out your holiday pins or brooches, sparkly earrings or bracelets you may own, or were handed down. By placing them all in a bowl or on a tray, you can remember to wear them this holiday season. It is also nice to see them sparkle on the dresser!
This is the time to have some fun with your clothes!
By looking through what you already own, see if you can make a few fresh looks. Could you use a black pant or a satin skirt? Maybe you just need a sequin top or a fun t-shirt. I have a few ideas..
Holiday themed t-shirts and sweaters
I’m seeing a lot of these lately. They can be fun and you can dress them down with denim or get fancy pairing the casual with a dressier skirt. You can wear it a furry jacket or big glittery earrings. I fell in love with this cute Mistletoe and Martinis t-shirt , brought it home and played around with possible looks. I liked it with with a with a plaid pant, a very old suede flat, fuzzy jacket and patent clutch. It is also cool with a slouchy jean, red pump, gold bag, my mom’s crystal bracelet and a vintage leopard jacket. Another idea – pair a holiday t with a satin or full skirt and a pair of metallic sneakers or converse.
These tops are perfect for a festive dinner with friends or anytime in December!
More fun graphic tops…
Satin separates
You need one of these in the closet!
I love a satin bias cut dress or a pull on skirt that you can wear endless ways. One of my most worn holiday closet pieces is my Michael Stars satin tank dress. Nothing flatters like a bias cut satin skirt or dress and they are affordable. Everyone should have one of these in the closet. I like pairing it with a big fuzzy sweater for casual and comfy feel or dress it up with a black jacket, or dress it down with a holiday theme t-shirt.
Good satin skirts and dresses to consider…
Sparkle
You can’t go wrong with sequins. You only need a skirt or a top with a little sparkle to make your look feel festive. I can never get enough of them! Last year I bought this sequin cashmere sweater at Anthro and I’ve worn in a ton with jeans and my red shoes, over a tan tank dress, and with black pull on pants by Frank & Eileen. I can’t wait to wear it this year.
This cashmere sweater is no longer at Anthro, but is here on Poshmark and on Ebay.
I also have a sequin one shoulder top ( Marshalls!) and a Banana Republic tank dress. I like to wear sweaters like this black turtleneck over the dress.
A few sequin pieces that I like…
If you already have a closet of dresses, black pants, and fuzzy sweaters, just level it up with a pair of great sparkly earrings, a pretty shoe, or a vintage brooch. Sometimes all you need is a red lipstick or red nails. Small touches are enough to bring up a basic look to festive! Even putting your hair back with a sparkly clip or wearing it up, makes everything more elevated!
Don’t miss- charity shops
Right now charity shops like Goodwill, Crossroads, and others have all their holiday things gathered. it’s a great time to get a truly unique piece to add to your mix Think about stopping by one of these shops and see what they have.
I hope this was a teeny bit inspiring. I always want to get people more excited to dress up and enjoy it!
Kim
Please visit Cindy for more holiday dressing ideas…
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Hello Kim,
Love the post thank you for all the sparkle and glam, so pretty!! I have just come back from visiting family and friends in london and the lights were so beautiful with the big Christmas trees already up! Liberty’s had a pilgrim ship theme which was incredible.Have a beautiful day:)
Francesca I am envious! It is so fun to see London at Christmas. It gets you in the spirit early and they have so many more weeks to enjoy as they don’t have the Thanksgiving like we do late November. I bet you are excited for the holidays now.
Oh wow would love to see Liberty!
Hope you have a good week too.x
I love these ideas ! My biggest issue with satin is the static cling. Any tips?
Sue it is so funny I used to really be bothered when I had that issue when wearing stockings.
Back then we sprayed a little hairspray on our legs and it worked. x
Hi Kim,
Thank you.. your post is more than a teeny bit inspiring… I now need some sequins in my life! Love all the outfits you posed in.. stylish, festive yet comfortable. Having spent most of my Christmas’ in summer dresses it has been enjoyable having the options of layers for Christmas in winter.
Now… I wonder where my Xmas decorations are… time to think about dragging them out!
Thanks for all the inspo and enjoy the lead up to the festive season!
Fi xx
Thank you so much Fi.
I bet it is so different having a warm Christmas growing up in NZ?
Aw thank you. x
Hi Kim,
Love everything about your blog, especially your politics! Hey, what size is your
Anthro sequin sweater? I think we’re about the same size.
Thanks!
Ellie from Marin
Hi Ellie!
Aw gosh thank you so much.
I bought a small as it runs a little oversized. I am 5’3 and about 135 pounds. Hope that helps! It’s very well made.
x
Kim you look so fab in anything sequins!! I especially love the sequin top jeans and red pumps!! So great looking!
Thank you Cindy! Yours too. xo
Thanks Cindy! They are good on anyone I think. xx
Hi Kim,
Thanks for all the great links and the reminder and encouragement to let ourselves sparkle! I have a few fun pieces that have seldom been worn. Santa Cruz is so darned casual, but with jeans I think I can pull off a few fun looks. Now I just need to receive some party invitations! I do love that cashmere sweater with the sequins though. (Might need to investigate.) I’m going to put the sparkly brooches on my coats now. It’s time!!
Gearing up here for Thanksgiving and looking forward to the progressive dinner with Chloe’ and her gang. It’s become a new tradition. I’m in charge of setting a pretty, festive table for the main dinner and excited about seeing everyone.
Rain is on the way but should be clear on Friday. Fingers crossed.
Xo Heidi
Hi Heidi!
I would love to see your closet sparkles! I bet you have some pretty things.
I am getting my brooches out today too.
How fun to do a progressive dinner. Love that idea. I can’t wait to see you table. xo
Hi, some great holiday dress ideas. Love your grey sequins outfit and black sequin top with jeans and red flats…
Have a great Thanksgiving Day.
Thanks so much Sheila! Wishing you the same! x
Hi Kim,
Wow, SO many terrific ideas for the holidays, you’ve nailed it! Just love the sequins and jeans, very West Coast – casual with a dressy twist! A simple tank dress with a pretty sweater, so elegant but easy to pull together. Love displaying sparkly vintage jewelry on the dresser. Checking out your own closet first is the best advice too, as we should try to buy less when possible. Thanks for showing us so many ways to mix it up for the holidays! 💗
Love the new shorter haircut! Especially tucked behind the ear. Very flattering!
Thanks so much Liz. xo
Love the sequins!! I have a pair of pants at Tuckernuck that I have my eye on. Over on the East Coast, we are still very much dressed up for the holidays!
Kim—-
Wow! Love these looks! You are amazing at pairing dressy with casual tops and bottoms —like the sequined sweater with jeans and red shoes or that sparkly winter white skirt with the black top and shoes!! I would definitely wear those! They look amazing on you! Thanks for the holiday inspo!!
Kim,
You always look amazing! I love all of your outfits but my favorite is the black sequins top and jeans!
Happy Holiday my friend!
xo