I’m obsessed with this festive Free People sequin top (that’s under $100). I love dressing up and getting fancy for the holidays, however Denver is decidedly CASUAL – sometimes annoyingly so. We do have one cocktail party, but everything else on our calendar is definitely very laid-back. It’s also COLD, and I’d prefer not to freeze my @ss off. My solution? Add this long sleeved Free People sequin top to just about everything. It has serious holiday vibes, and it’s just easy.
The Top
Top (sized up 1) | Gloves (30% off)
It’s long sleeve so it will keep you relatively warm, and it’s NOT itchy. Tammy is super sensitive to itchy fabrics, and this one is Tammy-approved. It comes in multiple colors, but the silver is hands-down my top pick. I sized up by one for a little room around the tummy. It’s perfect and not clingy / squeezing at all.
The silver sequins are on a somewhat nude mesh fabric, but I don’t find it see-thru in the least. You would be completely fine with a nude bra, but I’m (per usual) wearing a black bralette here. And it’s not overly delicate – I wasn’t gentle with it and didn’t lose a single sequin.
Also, silver + gray = monochrome in my book. I love pairing the silver sequins with my gray beanie and gloves. The consistent color way keeps the look more elevated and chic.
With Denim
Top (sized up by 1) | Beanie (On Sale!) | Gloves (30% off) | Jeans (size up 1 – On Sale!) | Heels (similar) | Faux Fur (old but scroll down for a round-up)
This top would pair beautifully with elegant trousers, coated denim, a skirt – literally anything. I grabbed my favorite pair of denim (currently on sale!) because let’s be honest, it’s probably how I will wear this most. I adore the contrast of a fancy top with distressed, vintage jeans. It gives an effortless vibe to the whole look and keeps it from being too fancy for Denver.
THE JEANS – the Moussy Odessa jeans that I wear ALL the time (just scroll thru our Instagram feed) are on sale at Saks! They rarely go on sale, so if you’ve been coveting them, now is the time. They are rigid denim and I suggest sizing up by one. They will relax with wear so don’t stress if they’re a smidge tight at first. I get asked about these jeans constantly – “are they worth it??” YES! My most-worn denim.
*My pumps are old but I linked a pair of Naturalizers – yep, Naturalizers. I have this exact pair in a copper color and let me tell you – I can walk for days in them. They are the perfect comfort pump, and I promise nobody will be the wiser.
Add A Leather Jacket
Top (sized up by 1) | Beanie (On Sale!) | Gloves (30% off) | Jeans (size up 1 – On Sale!) | Heels (similar) | Leather Jacket (size up, wearing 38) | Bag (similar budget-friendly)
A leather jacket works over just about anything, so no surprise that it looks fabulous over sequins – it toughens them up a bit. And this leather jacket – one of my most-worn pieces EVER. I bought this 3-4 years ago, I lose track. I wear it all Fall, Winter & Spring. This would make a fabulous Christmas gift.
I sized up to a 38 to fit sweaters underneath. It started off a bit snug with a thick sweater underneath, but it stretches in with wear. The best way to break in a leather jacket? Wear it! Everywhere and anywhere – even in the rain. It’s not meant to be precious.
OR Glam It Up With Faux Fur
Top (sized up by 1) | Beanie (On Sale!) | Gloves (30% off) | Jeans (size up 1 – on sale!) | Heels (similar) | Faux Fur (old – see below for recs)| Bag (similar budget-friendly)
A faux fur makes everything more glam. This is another one of those pieces that you buy once and have forever – and it’s perfect for the holidays. Mine is an old Frame one that I snagged in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale a few years ago, but I rounded up some great options.
Pretty Faux Furs
We’ve never personally tried Apparis, but a friend of ours recently bought one of their faux furs and loves it. And you can never go wrong with Theory. The ivory color is giving us all the snow princess vibes.
A Festive Bag
Top (sized up by 1) | Beanie (On Sale!) | Gloves (30% off) | Jeans (size up 1 – on sale!) | Heels (similar) | Leather Jacket (size up, wearing 38) | Bag (similar budget-friendly)
You guys, this bag is Loeffler Randall. Tammy and I both bought it on sale this past Spring and it annoyingly will not restock. Here are a few other seriously pretty black bags.
Festive Bags
A Bold Lip
Do not underestimate the power of a bold lip – especially for the holidays. My favorite is this Westman Atelier lip suede palette. It includes a beautiful bricky red and a tomato red (you can also mix the colors for a custom red) – they are universally flattering and stunning.
My lips tend to be dry in the Winter (Colorado weather) so I often dab this lip gloss in the color pipsquek on top for a little added moisture. I do use a lip brush to apply these bolder colors – but you can blot for a more subtle look or go as bold as you’d like. And the babycheeks blush in the color Dou Dou compliments a bold red lip perfectly.
Final Notes On Dressing For The Holidays
The holidays can get so hectic, and we can easily find ourselves adding to cart and buying things impulsively (guilty!).
My advice for dressing for the holidays? Step back and make a list of events you’ll be attending / things you’ll be doing. What do you actually need? What do you already have in your closet (faux fur, I’m looking at you)? Add a piece (maybe two) that feels fresh and new. And wear the heck out of it!
This Free People sequin top is perfect for an effortless holiday vibe. I will be wearing it on repeat all season long.
x Rachel
