Festive Outfit Color Schemes and Ideas

Without Buying Anything New - Except Maybe a Pair of Colored Tights

The holiday season is almost here, and I’ve seen so much outfit inspiration online that I could easily plan looks for several holidays to come. I decided to experiment with my wardrobe to see what I could achieve without making any major investments, and here’s what I came up with:

Christmas Tree Color Scheme

I think the easiest way to look festive is to lean into a red-and-green color scheme, which will instantly feel more Christmassy. When experimenting with greenish and red combos, here are a few tips I’ve found work best:

• Avoid sticking to just two colors. Instead, introduce a third color or an accessory to break things up.

• It helps if one of the colors is more subdued—especially the green. It’s harder to achieve this effect with a toned-down red, as red can shift its hue quickly and lose its festive appeal. Green, however, is more forgiving and open to experimentation.

• If both colors are bright, I prefer them as accents rather than the main event.

• Consider textures - adding, for example, a satin shoe can really elevate the look.

Both: Skirt: Tibi (old), Generic red tights. Left: Tibi top, Reserved bag, Zara satin shoes (pre-loved via Vinted). Right: Old Xmas Sweatshirt, Aeyde Natania sandals (only cream available)

One of the best ways to achieve this festive feel is by pairing colored tights with shoes in the opposite holiday hue. I saw this idea on Lauren’s instagram at @todayshegotdressed (who took it up a notch with a blazer as a dress) and was blown away by how simple yet powerful it was. With this mix, you can just wear your usual clothes, and it will still look festive.

Both: Cos T-shirt dress, Generic tights, Lie Studio necklace. Left: Aeyde Natania sandals (only cream available), Right: Reserved bag, Zara satin shoes (pre-loved via Vinted).

Look Like a Gift

As I played around with these ideas, I loved how bows on sandals bring in a festive, gift-like quality. Here are a few options with exaggerated bows on the sandals, plus a big bow-tie belt from COS. I really like this approach as the exaggerated style prevents the bow from being too “cute”.

Left: Tibi pants, top, and shoes (all old), Cos belt. Right: Cos dress (old), Aeyde Natania sandals, pre-loved satin gloves.

I also tried adding red gloves, but I wasn’t a huge fan. Gloves can be tricky if you’re dining; once you take them off, you lose half the look. Or maybe it’s just me?

Party on the Bottom

In a newsletter full of festive ideas, Irene shared three ways of constructing outfits: party on top, party on the bottom, or a mix of both. For some reason, I loved the “party on the bottom” idea the most - pairing a simple, even casual top with a sequined or otherwise festive bottom.

Both: Mango sequin midi skirt. Left: Zara satin shoes, Reserved bag, Uniqlo jersey jacket. Right: Old burgundy shirt, Tibi shoes

I also tried adding a bright yellow pair of tights for a bit of eccentricity. The color wasn’t quite right, though - I think a paler yellow would work better. Still, I’m sharing my work-in-progress with you!

Ice or Snow Queen

Another angle I adore is going for white, silver, ice blue, or ivory during the holidays. It’s unexpected to wear such light colors in the midst of winter, but it can look incredibly elegant. This Max Mara dress is stunning overall, and I actually bought it for my birthday celebration, but as you can see, it can easily be reused.

Both: Tibi shoes, Left: Max Mara Leisure Talete dress, Gilyte shirt. Right: Max Mara skirt, A.W.A.K.E. Mode sweatshirt

Bling Brooches

Finally, as I was experimenting, I couldn’t ignore brooches. They’re everywhere this year - check out Jessie Bush or The Creative Classicist for inspiration. I don’t have a proper one, so I decided to improvise by turning an earring or a safety pin with a necklace into a makeshift brooch. I’m not entirely sure how secure it is, but it definitely adds interest to a classic outfit. It’s a timeless look with a modern twist.

Tibi blazer and pants (old), Reserved bag, Cos shoes

As we dress up for the holidays, I wanted to also take the opportunity to thank you for being here and wish you a beautiful, relaxing, and wonderful holiday season!

What are your plans for holiday outfits? Let me know in the comments!