31 Outfit Ideas for a Sparkly, Stylish and Rather Festive December
Usually our Decembers are packed with cookie exchanges, trips to the mall to pick up gifts and all the holiday parties. But this year is shaping up to be very different from the usual, just like the rest of 2020. So while you might have to do your annual friends fête over Zoom this time around or wish grandma a happy holidays from the curb—rather than her living room—that doesn’t mean you can’t still dress for the occasion with jolly colors, glittering sequins and giant cozy coats all month long. Here are 31 gorgeous outfit ideas to inspire you up to the end of 2020 (thank goodness).
1. Try an Easy Black-and-White Combo
Crisp black and white will always look chic, even if you’re sporting a simple T-shirt and trackpants. (Although it never hurts to add a swipe of berry lipstick.)
Shop similar styles: Weekday coat ($222); Everlane T-shirt ($18); Adidas pants ($55; $42); Converse sneakers ($50)
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2. Wear Your Festive Pieces Early
'Tis the season for sparkles, glitz and glam, but you don't have to wait for the actual holiday to arrive to break out your favorite metallic pieces. Wear a gold blouse with casual jeans and boots or a sequined skirt with a cozy knit to keep things toned down.
Shop similar styles: Farm Rio blouse ($135); Ellery jeans ($448; $268); 42 Gold boots ($160)
3. Get Cozy in a Sweater Dress
This subtly sexy style is the ultimate hybrid of comfortable and dressy. Go simple with a pair of tall boots, like Babba Canales does here, or jazz things up with some spangly jewelry and a pair of pointy-toe flats.
Shop similar styles: Nice Martin dress ($190); Børn boots ($230; $150)
4. Go All Out With Denim
This is how city girls do cowboy chic: Update a Canadian tuxedo with white ankle boots, a cozy white turtleneck and tiny sunglasses.
Shop similar styles: Levi’s jacket ($98); Naadam sweater ($215); SLVRLAKE jeans ($359); Dagne Dover bag ($95); Marc Fisher Ltd. boots ($189; $164)
5. Cape Your Cardigan
Believe it or not, cardigans are—dare we say?—cool again. And one of the most popular ways to rock ’em is casually draped over your shoulders.
Shop similar styles: Gap cardigan ($50); Calvin Klein dress ($90; $80); Hysteria socks ($16); J.Crew shoes ($138; $50)
6. Try Sporting a Summer Print
Rock your spring florals with an otherwise seasonally appropriate outfit, like Coterie member Katie Sturino did with a pastel topper and sparkly booties. Those mini buds suddenly have new legs.
Shop similar styles: Apparis coat ($325; $130); Eloquii dress ($95); Mansur Gavriel bag ($795; $556); Circus by Sam Edelman boots ($90; $45)
7. Dress Up Simple Joggers
All you need is a sleek, slim-fit turtleneck, an architecturally draped coat and some pointy-toe pumps to make this weekend favorite feel infinitely fancier.
Shop similar styles: AllSaints coat ($525; $368); 360 Cashmere top ($230); Express pants ($70; $35); Ted Baker heels ($195; $117)
8. Swap your winter jacket for a cozy vest
Keep your core warm and your arms free to move as they please. You'll really appreciate this tip when you discover your chunkiest sweater sleeves will not fit into any of your coats.
Shop similar styles: J.Crew turtleneck ($95); J. McLaughlin vest ($268); Spanx leggings ($68); BP boots ($90; $45)
RELATED: 7 Tips for Layering Your Winter Clothes Without Adding Bulk
9. GO HEAVY HANDED WITH JEWELRY
Even if all you have planned for the day is a Zoom call with your colleagues, adding a few baubles and gems will help you feel more put together or dressed up (and make it a little less obvious that you’re still wearing the T-shirt you slept in).
Shop similar styles: BaubleBar earrings ($38); Monica Vinader earrings ($385; $289); AUrate ring ($120); Roxanne Assoulin bracelet ($80); Bryan Anthonys ($46; $30); Kendra Scott necklace ($128; $90)
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10. Stick to One Color Group
Pick either warm tones (yellows, oranges, reds) or cool ones (blues, purples, greens) and mix and match shades until you find your perfect combination. Thanks for the tip, Coco Bassey.
Shop similar styles: Kenneth Cole coat ($228; $140); 360 Cashmere sweater ($253); Trina Turk pants ($278); Tory Burch bag ($398; $267); Jessica Simpson heels ($90; $54)
11. Swap Plain Leggings for Faux Leather
Even if you keep the rest of your outfit super casual (oversize T-shirt or sweater, simple booties, etc.), faux-leather leggings will give your look an instant upgrade, a tip we learned from Coterie member Liz Teich.
Shop similar styles: Uniqlo coat ($50; $40); BP sweater ($39); Wilfred Free leggings ($138; $125); Bernardo boots ($145)
12. Use Colorful Accessories to Jazz Things Up
Casual pants and an oversize cardigan may not feel inherently fancy. But add on some brightly hued earrings, a bold clutch and funky flats and you’re suddenly singing a very different tune.
Shop similar styles: J.Crew turtleneck ($37); Cupcakes and Cashmere cardigan ($120); Jessy B pants ($118); ASOS bag ($24; $18); Sperry shoes ($90; $54)
13. Sport a Parisian Beret
We’ll admit, Emily in Paris has its flaws, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still draw some sartorial inspiration from Lily Collins’ over-the-top ensembles.
Shop similar styles: Halogen beret ($29); Free People sweater ($148); Kate Spade New York coat ($438)
RELATED: How to Wear a Beret Without Looking Like a French Cartoon Character
14. Rock a Chunky Sweater Over Pinstriped Pants
Our weekend and work wardrobes have melded together to become one big, stylish family. So why not mix and match your most classic office trousers with a super-cozy chunky knit? How very 2020.
Shop similar styles: Universal Thread sweater ($30; $21); Le Petite Robe Di Chiara Boni pants ($444; $355); Cole Haan heels ($150; $75)
15. Wear Head-to-Toe Velvet
We don’t just mean dresses, suits or tops; we’re talking boots, belts and handbags too.
Shop similar styles: Boho Jeans dress ($152); Giada Benincasa belt ($174; $154); Paul Andrew boots ($895)
16. Invest In Some Kicks That Make You Smile
Some days we just can’t be bothered to put together anything more fashion-forward than some jeans and an oversize blazer. But a pair of smile-inducing sneakers, like Tyla-Lauren Gilmore's bright Nike kicks, will make you feel that much more put together and add a fun pop to even the most basic outfit.
Shop similar styles: Club Monaco blazer ($298); American Eagle Outfitters jeans ($50; $35); Nike sneakers ($110; $77)
17. Tie a Sweater Over Your Coat
If you often find yourself overheating in a super-warm coat (especially one that’s more appropriate for an arctic excursion than suburban living), simply wear a thin tee under your coat and tie your sweater around your wist. Then, when you get wherever you’re going, take off the coat and put on your sweater.
Shop similar styles: Lauren Ralph Lauren coat ($400); Gap sweater ($60)
18. Rock Red and Green the Grown-Up Way
Nothing against ugly holiday sweaters, but some of us prefer our festive outfits to be a bit more subtle. Burgundy and forest green are just as seasonally appropriate as ruby red and emerald (especially when worn with metallic gold pumps) without feeling quite so on the nose.
Shop similar styles: Kenneth Cole New York jacket ($228; $140); Tory Burch cardigan ($248; $149); Agolde jeans ($198); Schutz shoes ($135)
19. Try a Standout Scarf
Picking up a bold new blanket scarf is less of an investment than a bold new coat but has the same “look at me!” impact that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Shop similar styles: Lands’ End hat ($20; $10); Acne Studios scarf ($290); Ann Taylor coat ($248)
20. Pair Sequins with (a tiny bit of) Leopard
Sequins and leopard print are two statement-making details that run the risk of looking pretty overwhelming when worn together. But adding just a hint of one to accent a major splash of the other is just the right balance of quirky and cool.
Shop similar styles: Vince sweater ($395); Buddy Love skirt ($72); Christian Louboutin shoes ($695)
21. Create Your Own Colorblocking
Play around with any and all bright solid-hued pieces in your wardrobe to create a bold combination all your own.
Shop similar styles: Vince coat ($795); C by Bloomingdale’s sweater ($178; $99); Boden pants ($90); Rothy’s shoes ($145)
22. Think Outside the Layering Box
You wore your long-sleeve lace blouse over silky camis all summer long, but now it’s time to rock that baby under your chunkiest sweater for a fresh contrast of styles.
Shop similar styles: Free People top ($40); L.L.Bean sweater ($109); Theory skirt ($215); The Daily Edited bag ($180); Keds sneakers ($50)
23. ROCK A FESTIVE BLAZER
Wear a bold, cushy topper like this one over your winter whites and finish the whole look off with a pair of smart suede loafers. You're officially ready for any and all invitations that come your way, from your office holiday party to your best friend's cookie exchange (even if they’re just over Zoom).
Shop similar styles: INC International Concepts blazer ($90; $30); CeCe dress ($129); Birdies shoes ($95)
24. Pair Pastels With Pale Neutrals
Combine lighter neutrals, like tan, beige and gray, with icy pastels, like blue, lilac or frosty pink, for a gorgeous and delicate winter-ready effect. (If you’re worried about looking washed out, incorporate some accessories in darker shades for a little added punch.)
Shop similar styles: North Style hat ($40); Etro coat ($1,560); Banana Republic dress ($100; $40); ALDO shoes ($80; $40)
25. Dress Up an Ugly Holiday Sweater
Sweaters covered in tinsel, pom-poms, blinking lights and unexpected holiday scenes have become as much of a December staple as sequins and velvet. And while you can always wear yours over some simple jeans and boots, dressing them up with tights and a sexy skirt or embellished accessories just adds to the fun.
Shop similar styles: 33 Degrees sweater ($30); Reformation dress ($148); Sheertex tights ($69; $55); Sam Edelman heels ($140)
26. Slip Tights On Under Your Jeans
We’re all pretty well versed in the basics of layering tops, but when it comes to our legs, they often get left out in the cold (literally). Slip on a pair of tights to give your stems some extra protection.
Shop similar styles: Jakke coat ($268); IRO sweater ($395); Commando tights ($38); Agolde jeans ($188); Louise et Cie loafers ($140; $56)
27. Layer a Turtleneck Over a Fancy Maxi
Turn a formal wedding-guest dress into something more appropriate for holiday dinner or a festive cocktail party by pulling a chunky, cozy knit over the top. Keep your hair and makeup minimal and add a few brightly hued accessories to really tone down those fancy vibes.
Shop similar styles: New Look sweater ($39); Alice + Olivia dress ($395; $158); Frame bag ($378); Loeffler Randall heels ($350; $140)
28. Embrace the Power of the Puffer
You resisted the practical puffer for so long, but it’s finally time to give in. And hey, there’s no need to resign to looking like the Michelin Man when there are so many colorful, fun and even flattering options out there.
Shop similar styles: Tna coat ($225; $203); SLVRLAKE jeans ($289); Mix No. 6 boots ($50)
RELATED: How to Wear a Puffer Coat (Without Looking Like a Marshmallow)
29. Wear Sweats All Day Long
Opt for a sleeker pair than the grays you usually wear the to the gym, like Coterie member Natalia Levsina’s cozy light blue set. Then finish with a long tailored coat, chunky scarf and either sneakers or ankle boots and no one will even notice you're wearing your pj's out and about.
Shop similar styles: Reformation coat ($328); Michael Kors scarf ($68; $51); Whizz Official sweatshirt ($79) and sweatpants ($79); Fila sneakers ($85)
30. Break Out the Colorful Faux Fur
When it comes to faux fur, we say the more faux the better. That means super-bright colors and unnatural prints galore. They are meant to be fun, after all.
Shop similar styles: Jayley coat ($356; $143); Line & Dot turtleneck ($92); Good American pants ($189); Dear Frances boots ($520)
31. Bring on the Sequins
For New Year's Eve, think beyond black, gold and silver. We're partial to rosey pink but seafoam green or deep plum could also work.
Shop similar styles: ASOS Design dress ($237; $166); Alexandre Birman heels ($595; $298)