Cheryl Shops

Full disclosure: I love the holidays. I love the lights and the decor. I love that everyone is in a joyful, celebratory mood. I love spending time with people I love. And I especially love getting all dressed up in something brighter, fancier, and/or more sparkly than what I normally wear. For the holidays, that tends to translate into the color red and a bunch of sequined things, sometimes at the same time. Not every holiday occasion is a super-dressy one, however. Nor do you need to buy an entirely new outfit for everything. Over the years, I've built up a small but effective collection of pieces I tend to wear only a few times during the holiday season, and that's ok—you don't have to wear everything in your wardrobe all the time! Things you wear infrequently, like sequins, can last years, and the best part is that you don't have to spend a fortune on them (keep reading for more on affordable sequined things). Here are my favorite ways to dress festively, whether you want to show a little holiday spirit or a lot.  

Add a red plaid flannel shirt

This is a very "me" outfit but instead of my usual cashmere sweater, I swapped in a red flannel shirt—mine is from Old Navy, which is an excellent destination for holiday pieces that won't break the bank (especially when they're 50% off). The trousers are my favorite Harlow by Madewell, and the jacket is older Anine Bing (it's actually really warm, so I tend to wear it more as a coat this time of year). The lug-sole Chelsea boots are a little more casual, so they pair with the flannel shirt to balance out the more polished, tailored look of the jacket and trousers. PS these boots are so lightweight, comfy AF, and they're waterproof! 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Anine Bing Kaia blazer (current version) | Old Navy boyfriend flannel | Madewell Harlow pants | Madewell Western belt | Canvelle quilted sling bag (c/o) | Freda Salvador Brooke boots (get on the waitlist here) 

Balance sequins with something casual

I am a firm believer that sequins are absolutely something you do not need to splurge on—sometimes the cheaper they are, the better. Two of my favorite places to get sequined pieces are H&M and Old Navy, where this skirt is from. Of course, the key to wearing sequins is to pair them with something way more casual, so you don't look too fussy or formal. A T-shirt or sweater will do—it feels very J.Crew circa the Jenna Lyons era, in the best possible way. And I happened to have worn sneakers—albeit my "fancy" silver pair—because I knew I'd be walking around Nob Hill when we shot these, but sneakers and sequins are always a good combination, if you ask me. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Everlane oversized blazer | very old Isabel Marant tee | Old Navy sequined skirt | Chanel Wallet on Chain | AllSaints Shana sneakers 

Try just a pop of red

Red is such a bold color that a little goes a long way, especially if you don't wear it a lot. I am obviously wearing a red sweater in some of these photos, but even just a red sock, shoe, or pair of tights will do the trick. I think there's something to be said for having it farther away from your face, too. I also love red handbags!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Frame blazer (current version) | Quince cashmere boatneck sweater | Frame Le High Straight jeans (c/o) | Baggallini bags (c/o) | Cala loafers (similar here) (c/o) 

Isabel Marant socks (much cheaper here) | Freda Salvador Brooke boots (get on the waitlist here) 

Toteme jacket | A New Day tights | Sam Edelman Michaela flats