Holiday Lookbook Part II
a vintage style encore
A mid-December holiday party or impending New Year’s Eve are the perfect opportunities to feel amazing in glitter (and you will feel amazing!)
I gave a big dose of sparkle over the weekend when I photographed the step & repeat shots at a ball fundraiser for my squash gym. The dress code was “dressy + sneakers” — you know, to preserve the integrity of the courts. When I tell you that people rose to the occasion…they rose to the occasion! Here’s what I was wearing — a one-shoulder gown with my favorite New Balance x CALIA fresh foam sneaks, which are utterly perfect with the sequins.
In addition to capturing guest photos as the event kicked off, I also snapped some of my favorite dressy + sneaker combos of the night — see on @geo.styled!
For Part II of my holiday styles lookbook I saved out some of the more powerfully ‘party’ looks — those with high shine in the form of glam glitter, sparkly gems, colorful velvet and even a ‘naked dress’ vibe. (we didn’t go this naked but it’s a fun trend you could tap this holiday!).
In case you missed Part I of the lookbook, check it out here. Otherwise, picking up where we left off last week…
LOOK 5
Velvet jacket with bow & fur trim, patent leather red block heels, gold lamé wide (wide wide) leg pants — all vintage, all private collection
While the red shoes are still my favorite color detail in the look, the fur-trimmed bow is an overall standout detail of this jacket that I have to share. This is another one of those pieces that solidifies my belief in wearing vintage. Also from my aunt’s collection of family heirloom pieces, this jacket says everything about a holiday look: black, velvet, adorned.
Something like this black velvet evening jacket with faux fur trim ($39) or this red evening jacket with a neck bow and subtle fur cuffs ($95) would give a similar detailed / vintage energy.
The complete look fits together like a puzzle: high waisted lamé threaded pants end exactly at the base of the fitted coat + red shoes peep out to bring a pop of color into the look.
LOOK 6
Sparkle spaghetti strap dress, ($80) & Rhinestone necklace, ($50) — both Peaceful Pagan Vintage Collection; Blue faux fur stole & glitter block heels belong to me.
This outfit is the perfect example of how dressing for the holidays doesn’t have to be rocket science. All it takes is a little glitter on the garment, a little sparkle at the neckline, and a winter-energy accessory.
This dress immediately caught my eye when I worked with Jen on selecting the pieces for this shoot. The dark + shimmery fabric completely engages with lighting, in that you just become a beam of sparkle.
Paired with glitter block heels by Free People, which ended up being a dead ringer match for the fabric in the dress. You would hardly suspect they were created decades apart. (you can still find these heels too, here’s a NWB pair up for grabs!)
I absolutely adore the blue faux fur stole in this outfit — it’s something I picked up at Marden’s yearrrs ago. Short tangent, I loved it on the rack but overanalyzed and told myself it was too ridiculous so I didn’t buy it. Flash forward, I went on a trip to Sweden a few weeks later and while over there had a fashion epiphany in which I asked myself, why tf shouldn’t I get something completely over the top?! As soon as I got back from my trip I went back and bought it. If anyone knows the Marden’s tagline, you will appreciate the fact that it was actually still there when I went back!
The best part of wearing a stole like this to a party is that it’s an amazing accessory while you’re wearing it, but as the night goes on, the party warms up and — voila! — the stole comes off to reveal beautiful shoulders and jewelry that were previously out of sight.
LOOK 7
Tulle tiered dress, ($150) & white fur stole, ($175) — both Peaceful Pagan Vintage Collection; glass flower necklace, costume
This was one of my favorite ensembles of the shoot. Another simple look, with only two or three major feature pieces it still makes a statement. The dress is one that I fell in love with at Lost & Found Vintage Market, where I first met Jen. While I didn’t walk away with the dress that day, it stuck with me and was one of the first I pulled off the rack when we were selecting pieces for this shoot.
The dress is almost entirely sheer, with gorgeous dotted tulle fabric shaped into scalloped edges and tiers trailing down the floor length skirt. The top is also entirely sheer, so instead of going for the full ‘naked dress’ vibe, I picked up a vintage black lace bodysuit that seamlessly created a “built-in” look.
There is a short built-in bottom slip, but otherwise the dress is sheer from mid-thigh to floor. I absolutely love this for the same reasons as the naked dress — it’s covered, but it’s not. We get to see a little of the fabulous human form beneath the dress.
This is another look where the fur stole (real fur in this case) is a charming addition, complete with an oversized silk tie. Dainty jewelry pieces accentuate at key areas, and a simple slicked bun and black heels complete the look!
LOOK 8
Betsy Johnson Dark Botanical Velvet Dress, ($140); Black fur cape, ($85); Bronze beaded handbag, ($65) all Peaceful Pagan Vintage Collection; Garnet Ring, Elizabeth Henry Collection
This next holiday inspired outfit hits with dark jewel tones. Ranging from the amber-hued garnet, to the purple and topaz velvet florals, to the bronze beaded detailing of the handbag — it’s all giving a crushed berry + warm cognac flavor to the look.
A fur cape as the outerwear is a fabulous way to drop by a party — you can unbutton the top, stay for a drink, then button back up and be on your merry way! Details that pop out of the cape are especially fabulous, like the tiered ruffles on this modern-vintage Betsey Johnson velvet party dress, or the light catching bezels of a statement ring holding a cocktail glass.
And why not accessorize with a giant flower bloom — clip it into your handbag or wrap the smallest amount of ribbon/soft tape around the base so that you can pin to a jacket or dress.
Semi-inspired by a corsage look worn by Chloë Sevigny, which made me wonder why we are not wearing more live flowers to parties these days.
And this is where I leave you:
This is a clip-on glass ornament that I bought for our tree this year and as I was prepping for the shoot I realized it would be the perfect eccentric detail to perch on a low bun. SO, if you are looking for that extra ~something~ …
Wishing you the most glamorous holidays ahead!
Geo
If you are interested in any of the Peaceful Pagan pieces featured in this post, please connect with Jen Fox for purchase information. @the_peaceful_pagan_vintage on Instagram, with a studio shopping space located at @cabotmillantiques in Brunswick, ME.
Love how dreamy these are. Especially the one of Nola looking in the mirror. Perfection ❤️