The Anatomy of a Standout Holiday Outfit

Three key elements that make an ensemble both festive and chic

Dec 08, 2024

For the past year, I’ve published Substack articles every two weeks—no matter where in the world I’ve been. From sharing clothing care tips during my son’s baseball tournament in Cooperstown to finishing an article from my hotel room the night before a half marathon, I’ve found ways to keep up with my publishing schedule.

But two weeks ago, for the first time, I hit pause and skipped a publication. I didn’t want to release something rushed or incomplete, which would have been inevitable as I’ve been fully immersed in a different kind of styling project: overseeing the final stages of our new mountain home build. This labor of love began four years ago when we purchased a plot of land in one of our favorite Utah ski areas, and it has been a creative challenge unlike any other. The sheer volume of decisions and meticulous attention to detail required during this final stage demanded my full focus, making it necessary to step back from my regular publishing schedule temporarily.

Now that I’ve made it through this intense phase, I’m thrilled to return to The Stylish Sabbatical and share fresh inspiration with you—even as there’s still more work to be done on our home. As I’ve been immersed in designing a cohesive and artful space, I’ve noticed how much the process parallels assembling a standout outfit. A home takes shape through intentional layering: stone that complements the undertones of hardwood floors, stained beams that add depth and contrast, and accessories—like cabinet hardware or lighting—that serve as the jewelry of the space. Each layer builds upon the last, creating a home that feels both deliberate and captivating.

Here’s an “in process” picture of our new kitchen, one of spaces that has demanded much of my attention.

The same principle applies to creating artful outfit ensembles. Just as a well-designed home is brought to life through the thoughtful interplay of complementary materials, dynamic colors, textures, patterns, and striking accents, the anatomy of a standout outfit begins with a great canvas—pieces that harmonize with your coloring and features. From there, visual interest is introduced through color, texture, and pattern, while polish is added with carefully chosen accents like jewelry, shoes, handbags, and outerwear layers.

If your calendar is filled with holiday social events, it’s worth focusing on the three key elements that make an outfit both festive and chic. Let’s delve into the blueprint of a standout ensemble, so you can feel confident and ready to shine at every occasion this season.

1. Start with a flattering canvas

Every stylish ensemble begins with a base outfit that serves as a flattering canvas upon which more visual interest is layered. If you’ve been following my Substack, you’ll know I often emphasize that people look their best in clothing that harmonizes with their coloring and features.

As you build your outfit, ensure the hues closest to your face flatter your complexion. Colors that echo your natural tones can brighten your eyes, enhance your skin’s glow, and elevate your overall appearance. I delve into the benefits of color analysis and share resources for getting color-typed in my article The Case for Color Analysis [linked here].

Choose silhouettes that flatter your figure. When your clothing aligns with your lines and features, you exude a natural ease—a hallmark of great style. In an article titled Yin and Yang [linked here], I explained how individuals with rounded, feminine features often look at home in soft shapes, such as puffy shoulders, blousy sleeves, and gently cinched waists created with belts or ties. Conversely, those with angular, bold features tend to look striking in boxy or straight silhouettes, long monochromatic lines, and clean necklines like crewnecks and turtlenecks. Most people have a mix of rounded and angular features. For more nuanced guidance on the silhouettes—and other details—that suit your unique combination of features, I recommend exploring another piece I wrote on Personal Style [linked here].

2. Add depth with incremental color, texture, and pattern

Once you’ve established a strong foundation with flattering colors and silhouettes, the next step is to add visual interest to your ensemble. Just as a well-designed home becomes captivating through the interplay of tones, textures, and patterns, an outfit gains intrigue through the thoughtful use of these elements. You don’t need to include all three in every look—one or two are often enough to elevate your foundation into something striking and memorable.

Color

Incremental color is one of the easiest ways to bring dimension to your outfit. Subtle tonal variations and thoughtful combinations can make a significant impact. Pairing a dark and light gray sweater with a charcoal skirt and gunmetal heels, for instance, creates a sophisticated, monochromatic look.

A mix of gray tones and patterns livens up this monochromatic outfit, including the plaid coat, Fair Isle sweater, pinstripe midi skirt, silver crystal earrings, gunmetal heels, and beaded clutch bag. These colors are well-suited to a woman with Winter coloring.

The strategic use of color can also make a more vivid statement. A rich cranberry handbag, for example, adds a festive pop to an otherwise neutral outfit. If you prefer a more adventurous use of color, experiment with unexpected color pairings inspired by seasonal palettes. An autumnal fig-colored blazer layered over a mustard silk blouse creates a striking yet harmonious combination—especially flattering for those with rich, warm coloring.

Texture

Texture adds depth and tactile interest to your outfits, transforming simple combinations into something visually rich. Contrasting textures—such as pairing a plush velvet blazer with a sleek satin skirt—create a multidimensional look that feels luxurious and perfect for the holiday season.

Trim details can also introduce texture in a playful or glamorous way. A feather-trimmed top, for instance, adds movement and drama, making it an excellent choice for a festive gathering. Similarly, beaded embellishments or fringe can elevate your outfit and make it feel special.

Fur, bead detail, and a pleated bag add texture to this festive ensemble that includes a faux fur jacket, an embellished top and matching pants, rhinestone and pearl earrings, a pleated metallic clutch, and silver heels. These colors are well-suited to a woman with Summer coloring.

If you prefer a more understated approach, a single textured piece can still make an impact. A tweed jacket, metallic pumps, or a fur-trimmed coat can add subtle sophistication.

Pattern

Pattern is an excellent way to infuse personality into your holiday outfits. Traditional seasonal prints like tartan plaid, celestial motifs, or floral jacquards evoke a festive spirit.

For a more understated approach, subtle patterns—such as herringbone or tonal stripes—offer interest without overpowering your look. Alternatively, bold patterns can become the centerpiece of your outfit. Try pairing a plaid midi skirt with a sweater in a coordinating color from the plaid, or style a floral print coat over a slip dress for a punchy look.

If mixing patterns, opt for a cohesive color palette or pair one bold print with a more subdued option to keep the overall ensemble balanced and harmonious.

A mix of floral and leopard patterns add zest to this outfit that includes a floral print trench, a sleek slip dress, brown suede heels, a chunky gold necklace, a tubogas bracelet, and a leopard clutch. These colors are well-suited to a woman with Autumn coloring.

Add the finishing touches

Accessories like jewelry, handbags, tights, and shoes, along with layers such as coats, blazers, and sweaters, complete an outfit, transforming it into a cohesive and memorable ensemble. During the holiday season, these finishing touches provide an opportunity to incorporate rich, celebratory details—and even to embrace a touch of flamboyance.

Friday night, I pinned a brooch to my cashmere sweater, instantly elevating my sweater-and-pencil-skirt outfit with a touch of sparkle that caught the light as I moved. Layers, too, can add festive magic—like a friend’s stunning Welsh cape, a nod to her family heritage, which brought both warmth and sophistication to her look. Others at the event chose accessories that dazzled, from chandelier earrings framing their faces to metallic heels that offered just the right dash of holiday shimmer.

A bold clutch adds extra drama to this already extravagantly-patterned dress; the coat adds warmth and opulence while the jewelry adds whimsy. The look includes a wool and fur coat, a leopard dress, moto-inspired boots, romantic earrings, jewel bracelets, and a bright orange clutch. These colors are well-suited to a woman with Spring coloring.

It all comes together

The holidays are the perfect time to embrace the art of assembling a standout outfit. Much like my beautiful new home is taking shape through thoughtful layers and intentional details, a holiday outfit comes to life by combining a flattering foundation, depth from color, texture, and pattern, and the perfect finishing touches. When it all comes together, the result is an ensemble that radiates the warmth and joy of the season and helps you step into every event with confidence.

What events are you getting dressed for this holiday season?