• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet

Northern California Style

Northern California Style

  • Home
  • About
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet
  • Shop My Home
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

#signaturestyleholiiday

Signature Style – Holiday Dressing Strategies

December 6, 2022 By kimwheeler 38 Comments

It’s time for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. For December’s Signature Style, we are naturally talking about festive attire. I have some easy strategies for you to use what you have to create a fresh and fun looks for all your holiday events!

Well the past few years have put a damper on holiday gatherings, and I think the shiny bits that live in the recesses of the closet have gotten few outings..So any chance I get to fly my glitter flag, I relish! I try and use treasures like my mom’s Christmas pins, and crystal bracelets, and my grandma’s sparkly clip earrings with everyday things in the month of December and if you have such things you should too! You don’t need the excuse of a holiday party. Nothing is cuter than holiday pin on your coat or vintage earrings with a sweatshirt..Get those pretties out and about this month!

Before you think about buying ANYTHING…go to the closet and survey. I know I have said this before, but you forget what you have. It’s way cooler to be creative with your wardrobe and mix in older pieces and it is certainly more stylish than buying all new.

If you own no velvet, satin, shiny or vintage jewelry, then maybe it’s time you added a few of these pieces to your closet!

Strategy 1- Throw a furry jacket or coat over nice jeans or black pants.. This is instant glam. I have a few of these affordable jackets. Nothing makes you feel more old movie star than one of these. Add a holiday pin or earrings, and shoes according to event. Don’t be afraid to wear your coat/ furry jacket as the top.. This is a particularly fun and casual look for the holiday coffee, or out to lunch or dinner with girlfriends for a gift exchange. I just bought this Chanel shaped faux shearling number on sale and added my grandmother’s pin. Love it with a camisole and zipped up as a top.

Strategy 2- Top a sequin or satiny dress or skirt with a soft sweater. Maybe with hair up or pinned back and a cocktail ring and cute clutch? Dress it up or dress it down with a small heel or a bootie..

I paired an older sequin slip dress with a cashmere turtleneck, kitten slingbacks and a patent clutch. All items sitting in the closet. With a heel it’s perfect for a holiday dinner or cocktail shindig. I like sparkly hoops with turtlenecks. Last year I did the same with a satin bias cute skirt and short boots..and vintage drop pearls. ( My slingback pumps here only now in suede and patent but just as cute.)

Strategy 3- Wear a sparkly or velvet top – this is the simplest over denim or slim pants. Make it easy and pull your hair up, add a statement earring or bracelet and go. Last year, below – I wore a sequin top with these AYR jeans to a party. I loved it. I found this cute sequin top and this one at if you don’t own one! They’re great to have for New Year’s Eve too. I also have a few velvet T-shirts that I love.

Strategy 4- Go for plaid, gingham, or taffeta. A skirt or top in this sort of fabric or print paired with a white blouse, sweater can be holiday enough!

I love this wool skirt I bought last year on Amazon. I’d been searching for a long one that reminded me of ones my mother wore win the 70’s. The holidays are a perfect time to wear it. My Veronica Beard blazer gives over a black silky t-shirt gives it some edge vs a sweater..and I added black leather sneakers because it’s more like me.

Strategy 5- Go with a luxe one color monochrome look with sparkly accessories. Black is the easiest way to pull this look off. The same goes for a soft grey or cream or taupe. All one tone looks luxe, just add a pretty vintage pin, a vintage bag and it’s enough.

I went for a Prada feel with a pleated skirt and my Vince sweater (one of my most favorite things.) Shoes are newer and have a ballerina/classic look and hey- shout out to my 30+ year old vintage Furla bag that mimics a new Khaite bag they want $2,000 for! This is a very Olsen sister look. (The almost exact pull-on skirt as mine, is now 50% off at J Crew here.

If you’re missing some pieces from your holiday closet these are good additions to consider..

-This Vince sweater I have received for Christmas gifts in two colors, and they truly are the BEST thickest most luxe cashmere sweater ever. They are boiled cashmere, and I want to live in them in winter and they are on sale now here. A good gift to ask for yourself.

I you’re missing a clutch with some sparkle this option at Anthro comes in 7 colors and has a chain too.

Quince has affordable silk bias cut skirts in 7 colors.. These Jane flats will make any outfit and update what you have..so darn cute.

For those who asked.. this pleated J.Crew pull on skirt which is nearly identical to mine.. and 50% off.. and the slingbacks below..

And and if I had a special party to attend and needed a frock..these two would be in contention. This Vince velvet mock neck is elegant and modern.

This Rails pleated dress is gorgeous in person and body skimming- not hugging at all! A medium was too big on me. It’s a flattering dress and a fantastic addition to the closet… I am considering getting it for the future. Rails also offers the pleats look in a top and this satin cowl which is a lovely great piece and on sale

This Shine Top at Anthro is adorbs and comes in a pretty green and black also..These pave earrings are a fun option also if you need sparkle.

I hope you found some inspiration to glam up a little for the holidays, even if it’s just for yourself! Get festive and make the most of this time where glitter, velvet and shine is welcome.

I also wanted to say this is Sarah’s last post with us. She is taking time to be with her family and move to the seaside this year, so she has a lot happening, and I get that..Blogging takes a lot of your life. This collaboration has been wonderful to do with someone from another part of the globe. Love the perspective and insights always from Sarah. She is stylish smart and grounded, something you don’t always find on blogs. It won’t be the same without her and I wish her well and look forward to following Sarah on Instagram still….

…Now please stop by Cindy and Sarah’s posts and to get their takes on holiday style!

Cindy Hattersley Design

Sarah London Style

Thanks for stopping by! 

Kim

November’s Signature Style was ‘Does Your Home Reflect Your Personal Style?

If you want to save this post you can pin this graphic below on Pinterest, where you can follow me for more ideas.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Filed Under: Holiday Fashion Tagged With: #holidaydressingstrategies, #holidayfashion, #signaturestyle, #signaturestyleholiiday, #whattowearholidayedition

Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Fun Kitchen Styling Tips!

Asian Noodles & Other Main Dish Salads

Signature Style- Fall Edit & New Season Wishlist

Remodeling – The Social Front Patio

Loving Rattan and Serena & Lily

My Favorite Sheets, Duvets & More- Refreshing Your Bed

Get My Posts by Email!

Find Me on Facebook

Northern California Style

Archives

Categories

Footer

Don’t Forget to Follow!

Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

Currently Pinning

  • A rare glimpse into how one of Boston's oldest and premier florists (and my favorite) gets ready for Valentine's Day.
  • A Cozy Snow Day on the Coast of Maine
  • Dining Room Refresh Ideas, San Francisco Homes, and Cosmetics I’m Loving Now
A January PSA- get in your closet and get those wh A January PSA- get in your closet and get those white jeans out! I found mine at the bottom of my closet today in a basket and thought -yes! I love the look of a classic white jean, paired with a chunky sweater or turtleneck in black, beige, tan, creams-  neutral colors always look fantastic. Today it was warm enough that I could go sockless and wear my Madewell loafers with them and a little jacket I have from Anthro. Get your white jeans out. it will give your winter wardrobe have a little kick. White jeans can be worn all year and they even look great with winter boots and coats. 

This is also a great time to look at your white Jean inventory. 🤍If you don’t have a pair that’s comfortable and straight leg, in a thicker material…this might be a good time to look. I’ll share some on the weekend blog as well.

if you missed our LIVE this morning, you can watch it on Juliet’s @makemineaspritzer Instagram and I’ll link to it on my stories ! Thank you everyone for tuning in in for the fun questions and comments. We love doing this with you all weekly! Let us know in comments if there are any other topics you want to hear about. Today we talked trending colors, exercise classes .. finding art and pillows and more..

#whitejeanseason #januaryclosetremix #winterwardrobehacks
I love the sunshine in the morning streaming throu I love the sunshine in the morning streaming through the kitchen.. My baby daffodils are blooming to make it even happier. This is one of my favorite things about the new year, the bulbs and daffodils and California poppies that hint spring it on the way.💛 If you don’t have a few blooms in the kitchen, maybe you can add a few?

Hope your having a beautiful week!

#kitchensun #californialife #januaryincalifornia
I love this of Liz Taylor at her first wedding to I love this of Liz Taylor at her first wedding to Richard Burton in 1965. She’s wearing a empire, knee length dress and orange blossoms in her hair, which must have smelled heavenly. I want yellow in my closet this spring!

This is the center of my spring vision board! 💛 Link to all Elizabeth’s wedding dresses on the weekend post -and a few yellow things I added to the house if you missed it! 

#yellow #yellowaesthetic #liztaylor #thebrideworeyellow #springfashion #spring2023 #vogue
Sunday beach trip… We made it to Santa Cruz to c Sunday beach trip… We made it to Santa Cruz to check out the coast after these rough last weeks. Aptos looks pretty good and poor Seacliff is terribly battered. So sad to see what people have lost. My heart goes out to them.

We had the beach to ourselves and the weather was winter perfect. ☀️Cold and sunny. We had a picnic of sandwiches from Zoccolis deli and took in the sun and sea air while watching surfers and birds.

This song just seemed to fit -and relatable as I could not sleep last night! No idea why. Isn’t it maddening? 

Hope you get a chance to take a winter beach walk.. They are the best. 

#santacruz #aptos #california #northerncalifornia #winterbeachwalks #seacliff #norcal #seascapebeach
Happy Sunday! The weekend post is up and I’m sha Happy Sunday! The weekend post is up and I’m sharing a few good ideas for a dining room refresh, pops of yellow, my favorite winter skin care essentials right now, a beautiful and unique San Francisco house in @archdigest, online yoga, and the story behind a historic San Francisco home I came upon last week.. Head to the blog for all the deets! 

I hope its a wonderful weekend.☀️

Don’t forget to visit Juliet and Elizabeth blogs ..links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#northerncalifornia #weekendpost #yellow #diningroomdecor #bernardmaybeck #sanfranciscohomes #architecturaldigest #potterybarn #serenaandlily #californiastyle
Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has Our dear friend Contessa @contessa_and_her_pig has been seriously sick and fortunately is back home now, but still struggling with pneumonia. If anyone wants to send her a snail mail note please dm me and I will share her address. She loves unique cards and pretty postcards you’ve saved from travel, so she would be thrilled to get a little note!

It seems like just yesterday we were in her gorgeous yard taking photos for my Californians at Home series. It’s still one of my favorite photo shoots and if you want to read it again -or missed it I will link to it in my bio today. She’s one of a kind, so let’s get her well soon and bolster her spirits!!💛💛

#californiacontessa #californiansathome
I have to share a snippet of just some of the wisd I have to share a snippet of just some of the wisdom that was Martin Luther King. He will always be one of my biggest heroes and ten years ago I wrote a small post highlighting some of his very meaningful words and quotes that we could all use as a life guide. Link to the post in my bio and more on my stories. 

Do you know he is the only American to have a holiday for him that hasn’t been a president? He also had a low approval rating when he died. That has changed. Now people around the world use his teachings of living in peace and the fight for justice as a model we can strive for. I find his words so very needed in a world that is polarized more than ever. ❤️

#mlkday #mlkquotes #whatareyoudoingforothers
It’s still raining here! In an effort to use som It’s still raining here! In an effort to use some beautiful citrus and boost morale, I made these chocolate chips with a California twist. They have orange and walnuts -and for fun I added macadamias from my Hawaii trip and coconut flakes. I also switched out brown sugar for moscavado which is less refined and had more depth and flavor. So far response has been thumbs up from the home crew! 
The recipe and all the weekend fun- along with some cozy coats for this weather, and a recap of our SF meander are on the weekend blog. Juliet and Elizabeth also have great ideas this weekend.. links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 
Have a great weekend !

#californiacookie #californialiving #californiachocolatechipcookie #weekendpost #chocolateandorange
Just a little peek at some of the homes in San Fra Just a little peek at some of the homes in San Francisco’s Laurel Heights and a little walk through the Presidio to the Lyon Street Steps. We had an unbelievably beautiful day after so much rain and darkness. I highly recommend walking through this neighborhood, through The Presidio and grabbing lunch and checking out the lovely shops like the new Emily Joubert! The views are amazing all the way to the Golden Gate, and I am in love with all the beautiful homes of San Francisco. ❤️

#sanfranciscolove #presidioheights #lyonstreetsteps #sanfranciscowalks #housesofsf #visitcalifornia #ourgoldenstate #sanfranciscomansions #citybythebay #prettycity
Unearthed my Hunter’s and dusted them up! Bring Unearthed my Hunter’s and dusted them up! Bring it on, I am ready. I’m getting used to the rain, but this California girl is struggling with the gloom. How do people do it in the Pacific Northwest? Getting out for rainy day walks seems to help. Anyone else feel the same? I feel guilty for even mentioning it, with all the flooding and struggles so many are dealing with. 
Today is good -as we have power, internet and for now, just drizzles. 

#northerncalgal #californiastorm #hunterbootslove
It’s time for our first Signature Style of 2023 It’s time for our first Signature Style of 2023 and Cindy and I are talking cozy clothes, workout outfits and athleisure! And actually what else are we wearing right now?  If you’re not trying to workout, you’re likely staying cozy so we have all kinds of good things for you. 
Hope you’re staying dry and safe if you’re in California. 💛We had the craziest night yet with wind and rain last evening. We began with no power and internet so I was a bit slow getting this out..Sending good thoughts to everyone.

Stop on by our blogs..
As always links are in our bios and stories..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley

#athleisurestyle #workoutstyle #cozycore #pajamastyle #signaturestyle
The Weekend post is back with my pals Juliet and E The Weekend post is back with my pals Juliet and Elizabeth! Here’s to starting 2023 with a little palette cleanser.. I’ve got some chic basics like white shirts and good jeans,  the perfect track pant, brightening the house with our California bounty of citrus, inspiration from the fab Sylvie from Emily in Paris, a show and a book and more.. 

Here’s to a fresh start! 
Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#freshstart #californiahome #losgatos #chicbasics #whiteshirts #jeansfor2023 #weekendblog #emilyinparis #sylvieemilyinparis #phillipineleroybeaulieu

Copyright © 2023 · Northern California Style· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer