A Fail Proof Approach to Holiday Dressing

Revolves around tailoring and a few accessories. Did I mention a lot of it is on sale?

Because Thanksgiving is late this year, it feels as if the tightened holiday event schedule is jammed and kicks into high gear early next week and doesn’t let up. In lieu of the deluge, I thought I’d pull together some inspo images of what I base my holiday dressing wardrobe around. (I will probably post more holiday dressing and a sale edit so stay tuned.)

As always, I start with a tuxedo jacket. White is a good second option, but you always need black. Just look at the women below—every YSL muse, Charlotte Rampling, Sofia Coppola….the list goes on. Buy one and wear it for years (like a man, but not). I have one from the Parisian brand Pallas which seems to have closed. YSL is always a good option, and a classic from Ralph, but there are also many on sale right now, such as this, this, this white one, and this.

YSL and Betty Catroux

Then bottoms. Black pants. You could try a mini or wool bermudas a la Betty Catroux above, but I would just keep it easy. The joy of wearing a tuxedo with pants is that you feel comfortable but still look sexy. Really a win, win. These The Row pants are 50% off—and still expensive, but if they fit, you wear them with your jacket for years. A better sale buy here and here.

Bianca Jagger

What goes under your jacket? Keep it simple—a black silk blouse (I have an old Nells Nelson), a camisole (this Nili one is a wardrobe staple for me) or a bit of lace. Or, if you live someplace warm, skip the blazer and underpinning and try a cotton white tuxedo shirt (and here). I prefer mine untucked and oversized. Someday I will get one from Micky Paris. In the meantime I have my old Jil Sander for Uniqlo.

Charlotte Rampling in French Vogue

Chloe Sevigny

Then, the fun bits: the accessories. I love a lapel flower pin. Here, and what I have—both white and black vintage Chanel camelia pins. And I would do a big ring (mine, natch), such as this or this (or both).

Deeda with a flower pin

A slim clutch. The ultimate that I carry (mine is black). But I really love this, this and this.

Sofia Coppola

Margaux Hemingway in velvet

Then an outer layer. I love the idea of a wrap over a jacket, a la Audrey Hepburn below. This Goop one is dramatic because of it’s size (I have it), it also kind of stands in for a blanket and I think I will be wearing it a lot this winter when I am sitting at my desk writing this newsletter and even during the week when I’m running around. This Toteme one already sold out on their site. This one from Attersee is more of a scarf. This one is more bang for the buck.

Another option instead of a tuxedo is a long black dress with a tailored coat. This and this from Toteme, and this Matteau is on mega sale. Then coats like this, or this is a bit shorter than I would usually choose, but the material is good.

Raquel Welch and husband Andre Weinfeld, Tina and Michael Chow, 1985

Ashley Olsen

Finally shoes. I’m a slingback in all it’s variations kind of gal. So these, these, these, and these. You can’t go wrong.

The other great thing about everything above, it can all be worn separately and mixed and matched; jeans can always take it down a notch if you want kind of dressed, but not over dressed.

I have more holiday dressing to share and my new(ish) sale strategy so stay tuned.

Here’s to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

x

Jennifer

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