We all have our holiday uniforms. For many of us, however, these outfits may not be as failsafe as we think. A T-shirt with jeans is overdone and the usually festive colors of red and green tend to blend in—not just with the crowd, but with the Christmas décor as well.
Going beyond the clichés of holiday dressing may be simpler than it seems. Here are a few tips to break out of your comfort zone and look great this holiday season.
Back to basics
For Paolo Alba, the cold weather of the holidays creates opportunities for guys to wear long-sleeved shirts and cardigans. However, the Ivy League-inspired fashion blogger (http://theprephandbook.blogspot.com) shares that the secret to holiday dressing is finding the balance between being underdressed and wearing a costume.
“I wouldn’t wear red and green, honestly,” he says.
Paolo recommends that guys stick to dark jeans, a slim fit button-down shirt and neutral-colored shoes. And while comfort is definitely a priority, stay away from flip-flops and shorts.
“I was raised in family where family dinners meant button-down shirts, nice pants and good shoes,” he says. This aesthetic, Paolo believes, is still a good one to go by.
“You’ll look handsome, sophisticated, and appropriate for the occasion.”
Fun and fresh
A common mistake girls make when dressing for the holidays, says Marielle Sundiang, is looking stuffy and matronly. “I think there’s a huge misconception that whenever you’re with your grandparents or aunts and uncles, you have to really ‘dress up’. Girls should learn that you can dress your age and still look appropriate.”
“Holidays are supposed to be fun,” adds Marielle, who moonlights as a stylist for productions by Communication majors. She suggests keeping it festive with bursts of color.
“Try unexpected color combinations like plum and turquoise for dinner parties or bright yellow and cyan for luncheons.” For more subdued functions, tone down bright colors with neutral cardigans or casual blazers.
Trendspotting
“I like taking inspiration from a myriad of different sources,” says James de los Santos. Indeed, the Advertising major follows both runway shows and fashion blogs, and cites among his current fashion inspirations Bryanboy, the Kardashians and Kelly Cutrone.
Among the trends he’s noticed from various fashion weeks are white, bright colors, horizontal stripes, fringes and sheer fabrics. These are easily worked into your holiday outfit, but don’t overdo it, he says. Stick to one trendy item at a time for a cohesive and stylish look.
The little details
It is said that the smallest things make the biggest difference. For Paolo, guys need to pay attention to their belt, shoes and watch. “Watches are a guy’s jewelry. If a girl can invest in nice bags, a guy can and should invest in a good watch that reflects his personality,” he says.
Marielle stresses the value of good shoes and statement pieces, saying, “You can buy accessories that you can wear to either dress up or dress down any classic outfit.”
Staying true
Most of all, style should be personal. Paolo himself admits his preppy style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, saying, “At the end of the day, your style reflects who you are. Just be yourself. What you have to think about is whether your outfit is appropriate for the occasion.”
Think of holiday dressing as your daily style with a little extra. James sees the holidays as an opportunity to bust out his favorite pieces. “What is the thought behind wearing red shirts?” he asks. “One should dress to match one’s inner sentiments towards the season and the spirit of celebration.”
It’s all about injecting some holiday cheer into your yuletide style, while staying true to who you are. As Marielle puts it, “You’re the only one who can pull off your own style.”
