Festive Fits for the Holiday Season

Written by Lia Hobel

From Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations to New Year’s Eve parties, everyone wants to look and feel their best without adding stress to the season. To make holiday styling easy, Middleburg Life spoke to fashion experts from local boutiques to pull together carefully curated outfit suggestions tailored to any festive occasion. These wardrobe essentials are guaranteed to make holiday elegance look effortless.

Zest Clothing & Co. Boutique

9 E. Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117

Stylist: Skylar Enoch
Holiday outfit: Green velvet strapless dress ($90); cashmere shawl ($145).

A velvet dress has a classic appeal and effortlessly adds sophistication to any ensemble, explains Skylar Enoch, a stylist at Zest. “My green velvet strapless dress radiates holiday vibes with its deep, rich hue and luxurious softness.”

To enhance and complete the look, Enoch recommends a cashmere shawl. “The cashmere topper not only keeps me cozy but adds a touch of sophistication, making me feel festive and chic at all my holiday events!”

Zest’s green velvet strapless dress and cashmere shawl are elegant and cozy.

Enoch also shares her advice to make any holiday party festive and fashionable! She adds:

Make it a point to mix and mingle, moving from group to group to share holiday spirit.
Play up your look with fun holiday accessories, whether it’s sparkly earrings or a bold clutch.
Try to take a moment to share genuine compliments with others — it spreads warmth and helps create connections.

Country Classics

21 E. Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117

Stylist: Rodrick Rigden
Holiday outfit: Burgundy velvet two-button jacket ($869); cord trousers in black forest green ($195); Marcella evening shirt ($319); woven silk bow tie ($139); black leather dress belt ($159).

For the gentlemen, Rodrick Rigden, co-owner of Country Classics, recommends this tailored look that from top to bottom will perfectly pair with any holiday occasion. “Anyone with a sense of humor enjoys a kitsch Christmas sweater. However, that won’t work for formal occasions. Therefore, this dapper ensemble is perfect for Christmas parties and festive soirees,” he explains.

Country Classic’s burgundy velvet two-button jacket, cord trousers in black forest green, woven silk bow tie, and black leather dress belt offer a subtle and stylish nod to Christmas colors. Photos by Callie Broaddus.

As shown, Rigden says this selection is versatile. “More formal clothing may seem regimented,” he says, but “that does not mean you can’t have fun and put together a sartorial sensation! After all, the holidays are supposed to be a merry and magical time of year.”

His advice for holiday ensembles:

Blending the traditional holiday colors of red and green with your clothing or accessories makes for a dignified nod to the Christmas season.
The holiday season is a joyous time of year: Take the opportunity to sprinkle your outfits with frivolity and fun!

Chloe’s of Middleburg

12 E. Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117

Stylist: Chloe Osborn
Holiday outfits: Black sequin skirt ($215); white cardigan with beaded detail ($195); Vilagallo green wool coat ($450).

Chloe Osborn shares, “This outfit nails the holiday look without being over the top,” she explains. “The black sequin skirt brings just the right amount of sparkle. Paired with a stunning white sweater detailed with a little sparkle, it feels sophisticated and balanced.”

One of the best parts to this attire is that it’s wearable for day or night. “You can dress it up with heels for an evening event or keep it casual with flats or boots for a day look,” she says.

To complete the look, Osborn recommends a green (always festive!) wool coat by Vilagallo. “It’s stylish, warm, and the festive shade is perfect to brighten winter. The color really stands out in a sea of black and neutrals, adding a touch of holiday cheer to any outfit.”

Chloe’s recommended look works for day or night and is easily layered. Photo by Michael Butcher.

Osborn’s quick tips to remember are:

Holiday fashion is all about stepping outside the box. It’s the perfect time to experiment with different fabrics and materials like velvet, feathers, and sequins, which will instantly add visual intrigue to any look.
Versatility in one’s wardrobe is essential. Invest in timeless pieces like a coat or black dress that can easily be dressed down with sneakers for a daytime look or up with heels and bold accessories for a holiday party.
During the holidays, there’s no such thing as being overdressed. Start with a simple base layer like a blouse and pair of jeans, and take it to the next level with a statement jacket, eye-catching jewelry, or a fabulous evening bag. ML

Published in the December 2024 issue of Middleburg Life.