With the holiday season upon us the common question I get is what should I wear??
If you’re in a place like Seattle, WA, getting dressed up isn’t as straightforward as it might be in other parts of the world. We are definitely a casual city. One where being dressed down is more common than dressing up. While I love that people focus on comfort (a personal emphasis in my styling) there’s a bit of sadness I feel when I go somewhere like the symphony and people are wearing Patagonia jackets and worn sneakers; it just makes me a little sad.
This is balanced of course with a lack of general pretentiousness that is at times present in other cities; where it feels like the labels you wear matter more than your character. But as with any attempt to put together an outfit–intentionality matters when getting dressed.
When you put in effort it shows. It’s a sign of respect for yourself, and for the place you’re going. And a holiday party is a great place to have some fun! It’s a time of year where sparkles and feathers make an appearance even when you don’t expect it. But knowing what to wear to an event can feel so overwhelming! There’s this misconception sometimes where people feel like they need to play the part. If that brings you joy that’s beautiful. If it makes you anxious and worried because you don’t want to dress a part and instead dress as you then I have great news for you–you don’t have to change your style for a special occasion.
Wether its a wedding or a holiday party, you don’t need to stray from your individual style, you can wear pieces that are true to who you are. Let’s walk through the holiday party example. To contradict myself, if sparkles and feathers aren’t your thing, you don’t have to wear them. If you don’t normally wear dresses and they annoy the crap out of you, you don’t have to wear one. Wear that blazer or pant suit girl. You can elevate the things you normally wear and make it fit for the occasion, without straying too far. If you normally wear sneakers with your blazer outfit throw on a pair of heels and rock it. If you’re not into a red lip don’t do one unless you’re trying something new and it sounds fun.
The holiday season can be a great time to try out a new style and do something bold because it’s almost expected. But know that you don’t have to, especially if it means buying several new outfits. Try instead to add pieces that you can wear to an event and then wear again after the new year. It’s more fun that way. <3
