Name it! Four items of clothing to spice up your holiday dressing

...which don't include the usual Christmas ornaments - tinsels, sparkles or sequins

I don’t particularly like shopping for occasions, and much prefer buying pieces that can be worn several different ways, and if lucky all year round.

However, it is the time of year where everyone is shopping for the same occasion; party-season. And don’t get me wrong, I truly understand the desire to wear something new, I have it too…

But I want to give you suggestions to four items of clothing that can spice up your holiday dressing, and believe it or not don’t entail tinsels, sparkles or sequins. The best thing is you may even have them in your wardrobe already, and if not I believe it’s a purchase that can be worn throughout the year!

I. Coloured tights

To say that coloured tights can be worn throughout the year may be a stretch, but I still believe they can be worn on several occasions and are not limited to the two weeks before Christmas.

I love a monochrome look, wearing one colour from head to toe can be very impactful. The dark chocolate tights make the look here, and add an additional texture to the cashmere and leather:

The Nor Turtleneck from noName, faux leather skirt from Mango Outlet (hot tip: search leather for the most interesting pieces, I also love this fringed one from Mango), snakeskin sandals from Saint Laurent via Vestiaire, Calzedonia tights

This long velvet skirt is rather conservative, especially worn with a silk blouse. Adding the platform heels and matching cream tights makes it a bit more interesting and brings focus to the legs peaking out from the split in the back:

Wardrobe NYC velvet skirt (I have to admit I got mine 70% off in their archive sale…), Celine by Phoebe Philo blouse purchased secondhand, The Attico pouch (I love this on Vestiaire), Saint Laurent Bianca platforms, Calzedonia tights, Completed Works Glitch earrings

I wore something similar last Christmas. I paired a velvet dress with chalk white tights and matching shoes:

Reformation backless velvet dress (similar here), Calzedonia tights, Mango heels

I also think the long velvet skirt would look really good with a pair of lace tights peeking out. My mother wore something similar last year for a holiday party and looked super chic:

The Polo Turtleneck from noName, old Chanel mini skirt, Wardrobe NYC lace tights (on sale at Net-a-Porter)

I wish I had light blue tights to try with this skirt and the aubergine pair I have didn’t quite match, but the grey work well too I think. They match the shoes which elongates the leg:

Topshop satin and lace skirt (in hindsight I should have bought the brown one but I just loved the colour combination of raspberry and light blue), The Milano Roundneck from noName (available to pre-order), my mother’s vintage Prada shoes, Calzedonia tights, Sophie Bille Brahe Botticelli earrings

Again the cream tights and cream platforms, but paired with a faux leather skirt in the same shade. Black tights would not look good here as it would create an odd looking sandwich of cream, black, cream...:

Faux leather skirt from H&M, H&M Edition Jacket in jacquard-weave, The Attico pouch (I love this on Vestiaire), Zara slim silk scarf from years ago (I recently bought this white one on Etsy), Calzedonia tights, Saint Laurent Bianca platforms, Bottega Veneta earrings in silver (but I really like these in resin if you want something new)

For a more “casual” look I changed out the cream tights with grey wool tights with a hint of sparkle. I also added a cashmere sweater, and over-the-top earrings for a bit of contrast:

The Milano Roundneck in grey from noName, faux leather skirt from H&M, old H&M earrings (I think these look really expensive), Alexander McQueen clutch, Calzedonia tights and Saint Laurent Bianca platforms

***

II. Men’s tuxedo shirt

There is nothing chicer than a woman wearing a men’s tuxedo shirt. Referencing Sharon Stone’s memorable 1998 Oscars look, I pulled out my boyfriend’s tuxedo shirt and paired it with several more feminine pieces.

The buttons on a men’s shirt aren’t always placed perfectly, so I added a safety pin at the perfect spot to give a small hint of bra:

Good tuxedo shirts if you can’t steal one from your other half: Toteme Tuxedo Shirt with the a very chic collar, With Nothing Underneath Dress Shirt, Cos Tuxedo Shirt, Yaitte Tuxedo Shirt is slightly long but can be tucked in

The crisp white shirt balances out this ultra-glam sequin skirt. I’ve previously worn this skirt with a cashmere sweater or a simple white t-shirt as I like the contrast:

Skirt from No.21 (mine is old, but similar here), bag from Alaïa (I love it in this oxblood red), white court shoes from Mango, Completed Works Glitch earrings

I love how the white shirt pops out from below the jacket here. This look leans more into the masculine but I think the shoes and bag give it the feminine touch it needs:

Old trousers from Acne Studios (these look similar and are on sale!), H&M Edition Jacket in jacquard-weave, shoes from Mango, The Attico pouch (I love this on Vestiaire)

This outfit is especially Sharon Stone. I paired the white tuxedo shirt with the same velvet skirt as above:

Wardrobe NYC velvet skirt (I have to admit I got mine 70% off in their archive sale…), Magda Butrym heels, Completed Works Glitch earrings

The shoe choice here is also rather important. The look is very classic so I wanted to add an edgy shoe. Which leads me on to the next item…

***

III. Eccentric shoes

Shoes are my weakness, and definitely what I spend most my money on. Every season I will invest in a new pair of shoes that will give new life to my wardrobe and spice up my regular outfit formulas. Party season is no exception.

This velvet suit from Mango is older than my relationship, and I still love it. I wear it every December, but change out the shoes which makes it feel fresh and different. Last year I wore it with my Saint Laurent Bianca Platforms, and this year I pulled out my Magda Butrym heels in hot pink satin. I got them on sale a couple of seasons ago after having the on my wish list for ages. They instantly spice up any outfit with their unconventional heel and colour: