Getting dressed during the holiday season can feel strangely high pressure!

You’re drawn to the sparkle, tartan, and classic red-and-green outfits you see on fashion influencers and in cozy holiday movies. But, you’re also just trying to get dressed for real life: sure, a few fancy holiday events here and there – but mostly just daycare drop-off, volunteer shifts, work parties, and a handful of family gatherings that may or may not involve sitting on the floor half of the night.

This is the EXACTLY the type of style challenge I love the most! How do you meld style aesthetic with function? And, how do you use what you already have to still feel elevated and festive without giving in to the biggest “LIMITED TIME SALE” season of the year?

Below, I’m dropping five effortless ways to dress in a way that still feels like you, just you during the holidays. A little more fun, festive, and chic!

1. Start With Your Style Anchors…

Dressing "festive" for the holidays is all about what that means to YOU and your style.

One of the easiest traps to fall into around the holidays is following the seasonal fashion trends that get pushed on social media and in the shops. This is how you end up with those lace pants or a sequined blazer that you wear once, feel self-conscious in all night, and then donate immediately.

Rule #1: Your holiday outfits should look like your style — not a costume.

Before you start pulling out plaid, tulle, or metallics, come back to your style anchor words.

Are you refined, minimal, warm? Soft, romantic, nostalgic? Natural, tailored, grounded?

Whatever words guide your style throughout the year should still shine through in your December wardrobe, too.

Instead of forcing yourself into the holiday colors, textures, or silhouettes you see others wear, look for variations that distinctly match your own personal style aesthetic, body, coloring and style essence.

For example:

Warm-toned people: look for cocoa brown, deep wine, creamy ivory, and soft gold.
Cool-toned people: Choose charcoal, winter white, midnight navy, or silver.
Soft/romantic essence: Try velvets, draped fabrics, and subtle shine
Natural/classic essence: Lean into ribbed knits, structured trousers, and suede.

When you start from your natural style aesthetic instead of just being led by the mannequins at the mall, your look will feel much more intentional, comfortable, and (most importantly) yourself.

2. …But Don’t be Afraid to Have Fun!

Style should always feel fun – so use your signature style guideposts to stick to your core and still feel like yourself, but don’t be afraid to try something different if it’s really calling to you.

The holidays are a fantastic time of year to mix in pieces and details that feel fun, even if they aren’t your typical or “most flattering.”

Bright red is one of the least complementary colors on me, but I find it so cheerful and festive around the holidays. So while I mostly rely on cranberry reds to celebrate the season, you’ll also find me incorporating many pops of bright, Christmassy red like a scarf or handbag.

You can make any outfit feel festive through texture and accessories, not just color. Jewel-toned earrings, a velvet hair bow, a metallic clutch, or a layered turtleneck are all small styling techniques that can help you feel more seasonal without being literal.

When you start with your natural aesthetic instead of the holiday aisle at Target, everything feels more intentional and more “you.”

3. Match Your Outfits to the Feeling You Want This Season

decide how you want the holiday season to FEEL, then let that guide your outfits and style.

I don’t love the holiday season because of the cute outfits, fun parties, and piles of cookies (though those all certainly help!). I love this time of year because of how it makes me feel. Cheerful, grateful, and warm from within.

Let that feeling guide your style aesthetic this season. Before you start planning outfits, ask yourself:

How do I want this season to feel?

Do you want cozy and slow? Festive and bright? Nostalgic and old-fashioned? Then dress to support that vibe.

**If you want cozy, fireside warmth:**

Chunky cable knits
Slouchy socks
Soft leggings
Oversized scarves
Creams + browns + deep greens

**If you want festive, cheerful energy:**

A touch of sparkle
Metallic shoes
Bright red lip
Jewel tones
Rich textures with subtle shine

**If you want nostalgic, old-fashioned charm:**

Green + red tartan
Fisherman sweaters
Mock necks
Fair Isle print
Matching hats and mittens

By letting the feeling of the season be your guide, you can better navigate the latest holiday style trends that are being marketed to you and choose the aesthetic that feels most right to you right now.

4. Reimagine What You Already Have

It’s hard to remember when you see those flashy influencer videos of sequin midi skirts and fair isle sweaters – but, your closet is probably already more festive than you realize.

One of the most realistic (and sustainable) style moves you can make this season is to
re-shop (and re-imagine) what you already own.

Before buying a sparkly dress you’ll never wear again, take a looksy through your closet and pull out any pieces or accessories with:

rich seasonal color (think outside the box!)
texture (cable knit, velvet, sparkle/shine, tweed, flannel)
Print (plaid, fair isle, embellished)
Structure vs. Softness

Then ask yourself: If this were a holiday piece, how would I style it differently?

Think differently about the clothes you already have: how can you add a festive twist for the holidays?

So many beautiful “holiday” outfits can be made through simple-but-thoughtful combinations of everyday pieces:

A cream sweater becomes festive with satin pants and elegant earrings.
Dark denim becomes party-ready with a black velvet top, heels, and a fancy clutch.
A brown knit dress transforms with suede boots, gold jewelry, and a pop of color belt.
A chunky cardigan suddenly feels 90s holiday nostalgic with a layered mock neck and plaid scarf.
Even white jeans can be pulled from their “summer retirement” and paired with ice blue or rich cream for a tonal, wintery look.

Fast fashion and consumerism has stripped so much of the creativity out of style. But a little thoughtful reinvention of your current closet will often reveal a host of new outfits without spending a dime.

And while we often think novelty comes from newness – it doesn’t have to mean buying something new. You can still get that dopamine hit from using something you already have in a new way (in fact, I would argue that is even more satisfying).

5. Use Outfit Formulas to Feel Festive Fast

The holiday season is ripe with social possibilities! I often get caught up dreaming about all the reasons I’ll need a festive outfit. But, the reality is, I usually need way less than I think I do.

Instead of a bunch of new outfits, try a few strong outfit formulas that align with how you’ll actually be spending your holiday season.

Start by making a list of the seasonal events or activities you want to feel festive for. This can include true holiday-specific activities like gift shopping, Christmas markets, or family gatherings. It can also include the little in-between moments that you still want to feel slightly cozier and more cheerful during the holidays: dinner dates, evenings in by the fire, or even what to wear to the office.

Then, build a few outfit formulas with a festive twist that you can plug-and-play with when it’s time to get dressed. Here are a few ideas to get your wheels turning:

#1: Elevated Cozy:

The perfect outfit formula for holidays at home.

Soft textured sweater + drawstring knit or satin pants + gold earrings

Perfect for:

Staying home: baking, decorating, playing games, or mixing drinks
Weekend coffee run (White Peppermint Mocha, always!)
Casual gathering with friends

#2: Casual Festive:

Chic, but casual outfit idea for holiday style made easy

Jeans + turtleneck + long coat + festive accessory

Ideal for:

Christmas shopping
Holiday markets, tree-lighting ceremonies, and Santa photos
Lunch at the pub

#3: Subtle Sparkle

A foolproof outfit formula for holiday parties is a monochrome look with one standout texture like velvet or satin.

Monochrome neutrals + one standout texture (velvet, satin, cable knit) + glam jewelry

Wear for:

Work parties
Date nights
Any holiday event with a vague dress code!

Pick one of these formulas for each event – and then mix-and-match with items you already own – and you’ll feel festive and look polished without wasting time spiraling in front of your closet.

Getting dressed during the holiday season should feel fun, not stressful. You can feel special and festive while still wearing outfits that make sense and feel like you. Share these tips with a friend for a stylish holiday season!

The Chic (But Realistic) Guide to Holiday Style