Festive outfit formulas
And not a sequin in sight
We all love an outfit formula, right? Something + something + something. It feels definitive, decided and considered. It feels as though it has the potential to hugely simplify our decision making when it comes to getting dressed, expressing ourselves and feeling prepared. Rather than being too prescriptive, I think we’re all old enough and wise enough to know that the joy is in taking a ‘formula’ and making it your own - replacing items with what you already own, reinterpreting the formula to fit your own personal style, and rejigging it to meet your lifestyle/ event requirements. This is what makes it interesting and personal.
I’m a huge fan of
’s Monthly High-Five posts, and always find inspiration in how she constructs her outfits. Her holiday outfit formulas and in particular 2 Parts Dressy + 2 Parts Cozy results in some deliciously high-low combinations. I also love Angie’s approach to the season, writing:I rarely buy things specific for the holiday season and when I do, it’s usually pieces I can style throughout the rest of the year, or a low-risk/low $ item like an accessory.
I too have bought nothing specific to the holiday season but rather have challenged myself to lean into what I already own. With that in mind, I thought I’d share what I plan to wear ‘over the festive season’, and to look at what outfit formulas I’m drawn to. Describing it as ‘the festive season’ makes it sound far more glamorous than my reality, which consists of a couple of nights out and a couple of days of family celebrations. While my ‘season’ may be small, it is very valued. I always love the idea of Thanksgiving as an precursor to the rest of the festive season (as well as a humbling moment of gratitude in the year) and I envy you stateside girls for having another reason to ‘dress for an occasion’.
One thing you might notice is missing from this foray into festive - sequins. Number one, I don’t own any sequin pieces, but number two - after reading this piece from
I won’t ever be investing in any, ever!
Comfort but make it ‘fashion’
Just to be clear, I write this title with my tongue firmly in my cheek. We will all be seeking comfort on the days spent with family or the in-between days when only a leisurely dog walk will do. While I do love a matching set, I don’t actually have many, and when the need for coziness and easy waistbands is high, it’s seems like the obvious formula. I tried this set recently from Zara, and I have to say it’s surprisingly good - it’s plush and the legs are a great barrel shape. I plan to team this with my mesh flats and more formal black wool coat to add tension.
Formula: matching set + flats + gold jewellery.
My second outfit is double comfort and double oversized, featuring my Loulou Studio jumper (an excellent Vestiaire Collective find and see
’s similar fit below) and COH Horseshoe jeans (an excellent Vinted find). The reason why is works is the balance between the heavy top and bottom half, and the lighter mesh shoes, plus an Olsen-esque flash of wrist. Keeping with the dainty, I would pair this with my new and already much loved Casa Ayllon bag ❤️Formula: oversized jumper + oversized jeans + flats.
Bottoms Up
As a natural pear shape, the traditional styling tip would be to seek balance by adding volume to my top half. However I often seek the opposite and move to accentuate my smaller half. With the recent addition of the after-mentioned COH Horseshoe jeans to my wardrobe, I’m getting to play around with these silhouettes. Completing inspired by
’ Middle America Holiday Dressing, I veered back into the 90s with this long sleeved lace top pairing.Formula: oversized jeans + slim top + heels.
Speaking of 90s, there is literally nothing that speaks more of this decade to me than black bootcut trousers! I love this outfit, featuring my
blazer, black hoodie, Filippa K Marlow trousers (an item) and my mesh flats, again. I’m so surprised to be dipping into these shoes again, mid winter, but here we are! They obviously fill a gap - not bad for £12.Formula: smart trousers + sportswear top + blazer.
Hero top
The outfit that stopped me in my tracks this week was from
’s post and was a version of this look on the right. The top in question is the beautiful By Malina Cleo blouse, which I search for preloved on the regular. My one is from H&M, is a very good dupe and was this weekend’s hero for a very special evening out with my book club.Formula: distressed jeans + hero top + heels.
While getting ready to go out last night, I toyed with pairing this top with these Topshop (via Vinted) croc trousers - my girls call them my ‘disco pants’. The distressed jeans look won out as I love the tension between them and the more dressy top, but some day a disco will transpire and they’ll be called upon.
Formula: hero trousers + hero top + heels.
Texture baby
Of all of these outfits, this is my favourite, consisting of my H&M cashmere polo neck (similar here), Zara crochet skirt, vintage boots and A.P.C. clutch. See below for the Milan Fashion Week street style inspo behind this outfit. That’s my outfit sorted for Christmas Day with the fam, as long as a Christmas Day sea dip isn’t required! If you watch Bad Sisters on Netflix (do, it’s very good), their local swimming spot, the Forty Foot, is my ‘local’ and a very popular spot for a festive dip.
Formula: cozy knit + statement skirt + tall boots.
Another strong contender is this outfit based on a vintage Jaeger green velvet jacket, which is probably the most obviously ‘festive’ piece in my wardrobe. Well, maybe alongside my Mint Velvet silver ankle boots (similar here) which interestingly didn’t get a feature here. I describe this formula piece as an ‘interesting jacket’, which for you could be a blazer, a light outdoor jacket worn buttoned up, or a sports jacket. The key again is to create that tension by contrasting the jacket with an opposing bottom half. Think joggers and blazer, or smart trousers and sportswear zip up top.
Formula: interesting jacket + white tee + jeans.
Inspiration
I’ve felt so inspired this week, for the first time this month!
’s combo below keeps it simple, with the addition of the black boots and accessories to make it feel polished. And these two images from Milan Fashion Week street style blew me away, in terms of texture and colour combination. I’m working on a version of the dress over trousers + blazer + triangle scarf, with my new Rise & Fall beauty. Watch this space!
Wish list pieces
Three items caught my eye this week and which I thought could be hard working in my festive and year round wardrobe:
Sezane Esteve bodysuit - I loved how
styled this with a cream blazer and blue jeans. It looks like a really nice quality too.More lace with this combined bustier from Zara - I would style this under my velvet Jaeger jacket from above or Lucy Williams blazer, and the following jeans.
Agolde 90s pinch waist distressed jeans - I appreciate that these are similar to my Agolde Riley jeans featured above, but these are wider and longer, and I love how they have been styled here with these flats.
Thank you for reading and I hope that there was something helpful for you in here. Wishing you a lovely week and hoping to see you next weekend, Jenny x
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Jenny when I wore my lacy cami the other night I thought of you!! I love the outfits you put together for the holidays.
All the formulas are 👌 every outfit is great!