5 Holiday Outfit Formulas for Every Event on Your Calendar

During the holiday season, some people decorate their hallways, but I decorate my closet. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of my mom dressing me and my sisters in matching red velvet dresses when we were kids, but I love planning celebrations that are perfect for this time of year. It’s the season to add some festive flair to your winter wardrobe by incorporating sequins, fur, heels, and jewelry. Whether you’re toasting champagne with a celebratory group, nibbling cookies with loved ones, or enjoying a little of both, here are five holiday outfit formulas you can recreate in your own closet.

5 formulas for holiday attire suitable for any gathering

No matter where I’m going or what I’m doing, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I look forward to dressing up a little more than usual. It’s a nice change of pace from my daily jeans and white t-shirt look, but I still like things to be easy and comfortable. That means you don’t have to drop $500 on that red, fur-lined, eye-catching thing. A coat that I only wear once in December.

The best holiday costume formula is built from items you already own. You’ll be surprised how much a red lip and sparkly shoes can transform your closet. From movie marathons to happy hours, read on for all the outfit tips you need this season.

P.S. I made a magazine! Get the Holiday Issue of Edited by Camille Stilesis out now.

Holiday Outfit Official #1: GNO Cookie Exchange

My two favorite things for seasonal girls’ nights out are gingerbread and glitter. For a festive yet relaxed atmosphere for cookie exchanges and gift exchanges, try pairing a crisp white button-down with a sequin skirt (or shorts or pants) and slingbacks. You can embody the holiday spirit while staying comfortable and understated. Dress up this holiday outfit with a red lip and a slicked back bun, or keep it simple with natural waves and chunky bangles.

Holiday Outfit Official #2: Office Holiday Party

The much anticipated or much-dreaded office holiday party can be one of the most difficult holiday events to dress for. Whether you’re Employee of the Month or your partner’s plus-one, you can’t go wrong with accessorizing with chic pants. A white Christmas is almost unthinkable where I live, so I love incorporating winter white into my holiday wardrobe, and I’m obsessed with the stark contrast of black accessories to break up the look . Pull your look together with the perfect shade of blush to give you a happy glow even though it’s cold outside, and let your accessories do a little talking.

Holiday Attire Formula #3: Couples Potluck Dinner

Even if you’re celebrating in the comfort of your home, you always want to dress up a little more this time of year. To create easy, festive holiday outfits at home, start with your favorite chunky sweater and swap out your go-to jeans for a monochromatic silk maxi skirt. Add tonal boots and vintage statement earrings for an effortless yet eye-catching holiday look. Brown is the color of the season, so look for deep chocolate tones and recreate the “espresso” makeup look with shimmering bronzer and eyeshadow.

Holiday Outfit Formula #4: Holiday Movie Marathon

Some people like to hang their popcorn in a tree, but I like it in a bowl on my lap. My guilty pleasure is watching The Holidays at the end of summer, but I also dream of cuddling up on the couch with my favorite people and munching on holiday classics. A cute, comfy, and fool-proof movie marathon outfit requires a matching sweat set. Keep your feet warm with practical yet adorable fluffy socks, clip your hair back (so you can easily stuff it in your face), and curl up in your favorite blanket.

Holiday Outfit Formula #5: Evening Happy Hour

For events that call for a calendar with a little more flair and glamor, there’s nothing classier than a chic black mini and opaque tights. If you recently watched Nobody Wanted This on Netflix, pair this ensemble with an oversized coat to capture the energy from Joan’s outfit in Episode 1. It’ll turn heads during the cold walk from your car to the front door and end up sipping spritzes next to the cozy fireplace inside your car. This is the kind of outfit formula that lets your accessories shine, so don’t hesitate to slather on some glittery eyeshadow and give your favorite metallic clutch a moment to shine.