How to nail every holiday outfit this season - with a modern twist

December is the one month when it always feels like I’m going somewhere, and unlike the rest of the year, it usually means I need to look a little more put together. Holiday cocktails, dinners, parties of every kind, plus all the special lunches with every group I’ve ever been part of somehow find their way into my already packed calendar. From yoga friends and the gardening class I took five years ago, to various family circles and work teams, meeting up in December has simply become the norm. And even though I sometimes feel like I’d rather spend at least one evening in the bath during that festive chaos, those gatherings always turn out sweet in the end. Getting dressed up is just part of the whole holiday “package.”

Since I’m always cold, I factor in the temperature and all possible weather drama every time I think about what to wear. Even when I try to dress elegantly to honor the occasion, I keep in mind that I’ll probably spend part of the night outside or in a space that’s not warm enough for a thin dress to make sense for more than five minutes. I also don’t want to look predictable or dull. I know, it’s a lot to balance, but it’s not impossible. That’s exactly why I’ve put together a guide to five typical holiday situations, along with ideas on what to wear for each one.

Business cocktail reception

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Business dinners and cocktail events are a chance to wear something a bit more relaxed than your usual office look and play with color or an unexpected detail. If you’d still like to stay within a formal dress code, a great way to add a subtle funky touch is to choose a suit in a festive burgundy or deep aubergine shade. A red bag gives it that final lift.

Dinner with friends

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Even though our friends have seen us in every possible version of ourselves, including the unflattering ones, and know that all those versions are still just us, it’s nice to dress up sometimes and enjoy it. For a holiday dinner with friends, whether you’ve booked a restaurant table or you’re meeting at someone’s place, a little black dress with a twist is a perfect choice, a bow, a balloon hem, statement shoulders. Gold hoop earrings and a headband add a charming retro touch.

Christmas Eve in the city

Phil Oh

Christmas Eve in the city often takes a bit of planning. If you know you’ll spend a lot of time outside, where the atmosphere is the most lively anyway, it’s important to think not only about how you look but also how to stay warm. A striking faux-fur coat is the perfect choice. Paired with tall leather boots and a statement accessory or two, it makes whatever you’re wearing underneath almost irrelevant.

Christmas lunch at His family’s place

Phil Oh

A family Christmas lunch at your partner’s place is usually one of those moments when you want to look a bit more polished than you would for an ordinary Sunday visit. Even if no one expects it, the extra effort you put into your outfit shows respect for the occasion and helps set a warm atmosphere you’ll feel good in too. A soft tweed blazer paired with elegant but comfortable trousers is an ideal choice for a Christmas lunch. And for the final touch, a few well-chosen accessories always help.

New Year’s Eve celebration

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If there’s one day, or more accurately one night, when you can truly let yourself go, it’s New Year’s Eve. Sequins, fringe, faux fur, bold colors, and standout accessories are perfect for the occasion, and if we trust the idea of dopamine dressing, they might even boost your mood. While we’ll always encourage you to wear whatever makes you feel good all year long, if you haven’t felt brave enough until now, the New Year’s celebration is the perfect place to start.