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Christmas is a great time to experiment with your style and outfits. You can try something new, go bold, make a statement and not worry about what others think.
Go for your favorite colors, prints and textures. Don’t forget to be comfortable!
In this article, I’ll give you some ideas of what not to wear this Christmas season. The most important thing is to have fun!
Pantsuit
Ah, the pantsuit. A classic choice for Christmas outfit ruination—one of those outfits that gets pulled out of the closet only once a year, when it’s time to have your family photo taken. When you’re posing with your in-laws, they probably won’t mind if your pantsuit is a little out of style. But when you’re standing next to your friends and coworkers, you’ll need to make sure that yours cuts the mustard. Here are some things to consider:
The Wrong Shoes
The wrong shoes can absolutely ruin even the best dress or pair of pants. When assembling your holiday outfit, make sure that you avoid the following:
- Shoes that are too tight—the last thing anyone wants on Christmas day is to spend hours wincing in pain as they mindlessly eat their way through five different meals.
- Shoes that are too loose—shoes that don’t fit right will constantly slip off and require you to bend down every few minutes when walking to put them back on. The sound of your heels hitting the ground with no shoe to buffer it will also be annoyingly loud and clunky for everyone else in the room.
- Shoes that are too high—don’t wear stilettos if you’re not used to wearing stilettos! You’ll stumble around like a newborn giraffe, possibly spilling red wine all over your new white dress.
- Shoes that are too low—if you’re going to wear flats, make sure they’re nice flats! They should be made of leather and have a little bit of shine and style about them, versus looking like old sneakers.
Weird Layers
A sleeveless shirt can take any outfit from drab to fab. There’s a fine line, though, between a great look and a Christmas catastrophe. Layers are a good idea, but don’t overdo it.
For instance, avoid the Donna Karan disaster from 1994 where she paired a hoodie with an alligator-skin bolero on top of a black fur coat. Unless you’re trying to dress like Elton John in the ’80s or someone going for the “hot biker librarian” vibe, you should probably steer clear of this kind of look!
There’s also something about stripes that are just not for everyone (ask Cher Horowitz!). While some people can pull off this bold trend, others just look like they’re dressed in pajamas. For example: if you’re at an office party and your boss is wearing pinstripes while you’re wearing jacquard? RUN!!! Your fashion faux pas will be the talk of the town!
Alternatively, if you find yourself running out of time to get ready or have no idea what to wear…just throw on some leggings! Leggings never fail to make an outfit—especially when paired with UGG boots and your favourite sweater. Trust us on this one!!
Hair Issues
As with any outfit, accessories can make or break a Christmas ensemble. They’re a great way to add a pop of color or to make a statement. Remember that the key is to not overdo it. Choose one or two statement pieces and dress up your simple outfit by pairing it with a great bag or rocking an awesome necklace. Even some flats (or heels) in bright red or gold will do the trick!
The Accessories
We’ve all seen the person who accessorized their Christmas outfit just a little too much, and not in the right way. The cute holiday sweater with matching earrings and necklace? Great! The high-waisted pants with an oversized belt and peep toe heels? Not so much.
Accessories can make or break an outfit. They can add showstopping flair to a simple look, or they can take away from the overall appeal of your clothes. The same accessories that would look amazing at a summer barbecue might not be appropriate for a Christmas party. That’s why it’s important to consider how your accessories work with the rest of your outfit when you’re getting dressed for Christmas parties and events throughout the holidays.
Anything goes if you wear it with confidence, but if you want to avoid some fashion missteps this Christmas, follow these rules.
- Pantsuits are not appropriate for formal events.
- When it comes to shoes, wear only those that match the formality of the event you’re attending.
- If you’re going to be inside, don’t show up wearing a hoodie over your “fancy” clothes. Wear appropriate layers—coats that look nice and will keep you warm while still allowing your Christmas outfit to shine through.
- Don’t let your hair ruin your look! Pay attention to what you do with it before leaving the house: there’s nothing worse than seeing someone who is otherwise dressed well but has hair in their face or hanging down in an unflattering manner.
- And don’t forget about accessories! Wearing something like a necklace can really bring together an outfit and make it pop — just make sure not to go overboard on them so that they become distracting from whatever else you’ve chosen as part of your ensemble.
Conclusion
You might be one of those people who can’t wait for Christmas. Everyone is smiling, the carols are playing, and the smell of gingerbread fills the air. But you know what?
- You don’t have to go the way everyone else goes. You can do your own thing and show everyone that there’s more to life than glittery sweaters and red socks! As long as you keep all of these points in mind, you’ll be ready to stand out from the crowd this festive season.
FAQ
Q. How do I ruin a Christmas outfit?
A. This is a great question. There are several things you can do to ruin your Christmas fashion, as we’ll explain below. Here are some of the best ways to ruin an outfit this holiday season:
- Over accessorize! Nothing says “I don’t care about my personal appearance” like a million bracelets and necklaces clinking together as you enter the room, all of which fall off before you return home with them in your purse at the end of the night.
- Wear sandals! There are few things more awful than having to wait outside in freezing temperatures while someone changes out of their summer shoes into something more appropriate for winter weather. If you really want to take it to the next level, try mixing sandals with socks and shorts or a mini skirt—it makes for quite the visual statement! Bonus points if one (or both!) of your socks has holes in it.
- Wear clothes that don’t fit properly, or ones that are too tight! If one button on your dress is about to pop off at any moment, that means you’re doing something right!
