I Found My Holiday Wardrobe for Less Than $300. Here’s Everything I Bought

1. Shopping in the City

Normally I wouldn’t dress up to hit the sidewalks, but when the tree goes up in Rockefeller Center and the city starts to twinkle with string lights, I’d be remiss to look schlubby in case the perfect photo op reveals itself. For a holiday weekend in the city, whether it’s spent hunting for sales or grabbing a bite to eat with friends, this outfit is tops. Comfy shoes? Check. Chic plaid blazer? Check. I love this option from Love Sadie because the neutral color means I can pair it with nearly anything in my closet. The Scoop Combat Boots are also a no-brainer, since I’d rather miss my train than stomp around the city in heels. And just between us, they cost less than two days’ worth of lunch. (Hey, it’s New York, folks.)

2. Thanksgiving Weekend

Need the confidence to dodge unwanted questions from relatives? Meeting up with hometown friends at your local watering hole? Hosting a big family get-together to watch allll the football? A comfy printed midi dress (like this one, with an elastic waistband—ya know, for the second helping of turkey and sweet potatoes) and slouchy brown faux-suede boots feel just right for spending Thanksgiving with loved ones.

3. Office Holiday Party

Admittedly, one of my biggest seasonal splurges is my holiday party getup. Blame it on my runaway romanticism (I am a Libra) or my lifelong love of Jane Austen and F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I live for statement-making dresses. The sparklier, the better. But when it comes to practicality, I know those sequin numbers just sit in the back of my closet for 364 days a year. To compromise, this season I sprang for a slinky, wide-leg jumpsuit with a price tag of….just $20! The pearl-embellished neckline feeds my need for girly details, but I could also see myself wearing the one-piece on multiple occasions without getting sick of it. Worn under the aforementioned blazer and with a pair of pointy-toe ankle-strap heels and funky animal-print earrings, this jumpsuit is perfect for office party attire.

4. Christmas Dinner

Whether it’s opening gifts with cousins or playing dinner hostess to family and friends, an outfit that’s adorably festive yet comfortable is my go-to. I love this colorful take on the Fair Isle sweater, especially when teamed with a metallic midi skirt and those same ankle-strap heels from the office party look above. The end result toes the line of not too dressy, not too casual. Just how I like it.

^{This article reflects prices at publication and may change.}