It is time to put away the strictly holiday items that are in heavy rotation between Thanksgiving and New Years. Over the time I've been at YLF, I've gradually moved from dressy formal pieces to mostly casual or smart casual ones. Now I am seeing that I also need to gather items that are not cosy warm...more cotton rather than wool. Our last few years of holidays have been too warm for much wool.
This year I was very happy with the variety I had, especially using Angie's ideas of making plaid, sweater dresses, and jeans look festive. I especially loved wearing lots of white and shades of white, pairing the with a bit of bling. Sweater dresses, my red wool suit, my beaded wool skirt and my tux pant suit felt right for dressy events as long beaded and velvet skirts stayed in the closet.
I really enjoyed wearing metallic gold and metallic blue jeans and a pair of sort of red/teal/black plaid jeans for casual events. It was fun to do sparkle on the bottom instead of the top sometimes. I think this was an Angie idea for Holidays 2014. I also liked a dressy top with regular jeans.
For next year I will watch for metallic booties and the right holiday long sleeved tees. A long duster to add dressiness to a casual outfit would also be welcomed if it doesn't overwhelm.
What did you like and not like about your holiday outfits? What will you do differently next year?
Thoughts on my Holiday Capsule
23 Comments
-
replied 8 years ago
Your capsule is superb.
-
Suz replied 8 years ago
Joy, what an amazing holiday capsule!! Do you have photos of you in all the outfits you made? I would love to see them together. I missed a lot of posts over the past few months, alas...
Don't you think Angie's suggestion to "dress festive" (based on Beth Ann's lovely idea) was a real spur to holiday dressing this year? I kept hearing her whisper it kindly in my ear. I didn't have many events to attend, alas, but I dressed in casual sparkles for those I had. :) Alas, I couldn't try the plaid shirt outfit because my plaid shirt with red is flannel -- too warm for this holiday!!
-
LACeleste replied 8 years ago
Hi Joy! Your capsule is really outstanding and I enjoyed all the outfits you shared.
I LOVE the glamour of holiday dressing and was very excited about it this year. My regret is that more often than not, I caved to the pressure to be LA casual (unless it was a dressier event). I struck a festive note with accessories, but a lot of my favorite pieces went unworn. Today I am putting them away and wishing I had more nerve!
You did dressed up casual so well Joy! I can learn a lot from you!
Here's to next year!
-
unfrumped replied 8 years ago
Love this capsule!
I have re-discovered that in my current work-heavy life, an entire holiday season may go by with few or no occasions for special dressing, or at least, blingy. I'm not much for work bling and even find metallic footwear difficult (maybe still looking for just the right touch).
I was happy with my BR silver tux jacket as an addition that may have some longevity since I've only worn it once this year. I hope to see it as both dressy capsule (cocktail attire) and dressed-down sparkly smart-casual going out--dinner or theater and such, with the right jeans, boots.Not shown, is bright red cashmere sweater I did wear around Christmas time but tend not to wear as a usual winter piece. Not sure why. Still keeping but spends more time hiding from moths.
I think this means a good option remains dressy accessories worn with good fabrics in neutral colors and being okay not necessarily shouting "Christmas" or even, super-sparkle. That way an outfit could go to work sans bling, church with added color, and add bling for more casual parties throughout the winter. No harm in looking for a modern version of a red vest to replace an old fleece one and amp up a casual outfit for Christmas, though!
I wore my AT black and off-white silk reindeer camp shirt only a couple of times, but I still love it and realized I should work it into late fall, as "deer season," with more fall colors, warm leathers and not Christmas-only.
I haven't worn the Lucky Penny sparkle boots this year but plan to keep due to great fit and fairly classic shape (almond toe), as I think I may still work them into just the right outfits and occasions, and I don't mind storing for now.
The TS dress worked for an annual fund-raiser, and I like having something special available, as this dress would also work for evening or more formal F/W weddings.
Would love to find non-fussy but good quality dresses in dark cool reds, plums with sleeves to add color and wear to work as "normal" , with tights and lower heels, and then dress up for evening ("little burgundy dress"). -
Angie replied 8 years ago
That's great news, Joy. You put in the effort, and reaped the reward of having GREAT holiday looks last year. I enjoyed your outfits with you.
(Thanks, Suz. Glad you enjoyed your festive outfits).
I attended many holiday events - and the last one is tonight. I loved my outfits, and mixed and matched old with new, brights with neutrals, and dressy with casual. I will do that again next year.
-
Joy replied 8 years ago
For Suz, here are some of my festive outfits.
-
Joy replied 8 years ago
I was reminded that my F21 silver metallic pullover and cream shirt with silver polkadots were an important part of this capsule because they are light weight for layering, but to be replaced with need a better quality.
-
Cerinda replied 8 years ago
Too many great shots to pick just one! But I love your holiday white-out and shiny leggings/jeans.
-
unfrumped replied 8 years ago
Joy, you remind me about the vagaries of holiday dressing if on travels to different climes to visit relatives.
My family mostly live in the Deep South whereas I'm a couple of zones farther north. This Christmas day was crazy warm, but often it's chilly here yet balmy if I travel. My cozy winter sweaters that work great for me if temps are 40's-50's are way too hot even for me if I visit further South during a typical winter. Layering sometimes works, but can be too formal (blazers, etc) for indoor hanging out.
Don't necessarily need 2 different capsules, but it's another reminder of how brief a holiday season can be, for certain items, if they are weather-specific. -
Joy replied 8 years ago
Thank you, Cerinda. I'm glad the shiny legs are ok on me.
Unfrumped, I understand the holiday travel difficulties. We used to live in Southern California and travel to the Midwest. This year I tried to incorporate lots of neutral basics with a festive piece and think this is I good idea going forward. Sparkly earrings or a red vest can make an ordinary outfit feel festive.
You are right about certain items having a short wear time if weather specific. I have a nice red cashmere sweater that hasn't had much wear in the years I've had it. It's usually too warm to wear it in December and I'm not inclined to wear the red color after the holidays. -
Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago
Oh, man, Joy, what a great holiday capsule. I love that red suit with the bow at the waist, and the chic booties are such a great idea with it--fresh, in comparison to a more expected pump. I also love 8, 13, and 18 especially here, but you looked so stylish throughout the holiday season.
My holiday capsule is fairly sparse, practically nonexistent I would say. I have a sequin pullover that wasn't warm enough to wear during the season this year. I bought a kind of tux-shaped black jacket that I didn't find an occasion to wear. I did get some sparkly jewelry from Lucky that I was comfortable wearing with work or everyday outfits, so I relied on the jewelry and some new red lipstick for my holiday "capsule" this year!
Our holiday party at work is coming up next weekend, and I plan to wear the sheath dress that I didn't wear for my anniversary (because the weather was too cold! I wore my old standby, a black wool sweater dress, instead). I think I'll wear the new black jacket over it, and my burnished gold pumps with black cap toe and heel. -
Jaime replied 8 years ago
Joy your holiday capsule is fabulous and thank you for bringing it to life with the outfit shots. I am just in awe of you rocking the gold jeans and also love the blue velvet, the light tonal outfits and more!
-
Joy replied 8 years ago
Firecracker, thank you for the confidence boost. I got lots of enjoyment dressing at least a bit festive each day this season, although most was casual. Your party outfit sounds lovely. Please take some photos.
-
Joy replied 8 years ago
Thank you, Shevia. I had lots of fun with this.
-
carter replied 8 years ago
Beautiful capsule! Red looks amazing on you. I struggled to dress festively this year with 75 degree temps through Christmas. You just did it beautifully. I'll have to bookmark this to help me plan for next year's holiday season.
-
JAileen replied 8 years ago
I remember seeing many of these outfits "on the way". Really, no bad outfits. Some are just more spectacular than others. I think the tone on tone looks wonderful on you. The blue metallic pants are amazing. I hope you felt as fab as you looked.
-
Bonnie replied 8 years ago
Glad you posted the outfit shots because that helped me see how the individual items worked together to make a lovely festive wardrobe.
-
Suz replied 8 years ago
WOW!!!
I am in utter awe, Joy. I seriously need my fuchsia crash helmet!! So much fabness. Thank you for indulging me and (I am certain) pleasing everyone who looked upon you.
1, 2, 6, 18, 19, and your additional photos just sent me to fan myself. If I lived near you, I would be wanting to host a party just so you would come!!!
-
Mirjana replied 8 years ago
Oh, Joy, what a great holiday capsule. I like you style so much, only can say congratulation , fabulous..........
-
texstyle replied 8 years ago
Great capsule Joy - I especially love 6, 5, 1 and 16. The simplicity and perfection of 6 is one I'd love to copy!
-
Joy replied 8 years ago
Carter, I know what you mean about the warm temperatures. I will only add light weight items for awhile.
JAileen, yes, most of these have been posted before. The blue metallic pants were Geezer magnets :)
Bonnie, I'm glad that Suz asked for outfit photos. I'd thought they might make the original post too long. I didn't get photos of every outfit like the sequined tee with the gold metallic jeans, taupe Bobeau topper and booties..
Suz, I'd try to travel to Canada to attend your party!
Texstyle, I also liked the simplicity of 6 and did something similar with a black sweater and the gold metallic pants. -
replied 8 years ago
Another WOW from me! I am thoroughly impressed by this collection, and by your editing ability. Also, having it photographed together like this is an excellent resource and record-keeping tool for next year. As an aside, I would dearly love to add a tuxedo to my wardrobe for next winter. I had been thinking about how wonderful it would be to have one just the other day, and now you've confirmed it for me :) I'm also thusly inspired to haul out my camera and so some capsule/collection photos once I get my closet edited and organized......which should hopefully happen one day this coming week. Anyways - again, WOW !
-
Joy replied 8 years ago
Lisa, that tuxedo suit gets worn as separates or together more than I thought it would. It is perfect for cold nights in winter when I need dressy but a dress would feel too cold or when I want to be dressed up but not over the top. The black/white/red sequined shell top works well with it and red patent pumps. In hot weather I can remove the jacket.
You would look amazing in a white version.
