What to Wear to Your Office Holiday Party

Holiday office party outfits can be tough to style. You want to stand out, you want to look festive...but you also don't want to look like a Christmas tree. Or like you're headed to a club. Fine lines.

When I spotted this velvet 2-piece Calvin Klein outfit at Saks Off Fifth while in Phoenix, AZ, I totally fell in love. It took me all of 5 minutes to snatch it off the rack, scurry off to the change room, confirm its amazingness, and rush to the cash. I had been looking for something velvet to wear for the holidays (it's pretty much the #1 trending style this season), and I knew this would fit the bill. Even better? It wasn't the usual party dress. The matching pants to the velvet blazer have a stripe of velvet down the side, which I think make them look like fashionable tuxedo pants. How cool! Of course, it is the holidays, so I added some sparkly details in the form of these adorable gold Betsey Johnson heels and Kate Spade glitter purse.

If you're not in the mood for a party dress, or want to tame things down just a bit for your holiday office party, then a velvet blazer and pants are a chic alternative. If you want to amp up the drama just a bit, go sans-shirt and add a long, hanging necklace to match the plunging neckline.

I decided to wear this ensemble to an event last week at OMEGA's boutique at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. In Vancouver, it's always hard to tell if people are going to really dress up, or go casual, so I figured this velvet blazer and pants would be a good middle ground. I also knew that the incredible photographer Dennis Gocer of The Collective You would be there snapping portraits of guests, so I wanted to wear something relatively simple and chic, to match his black and white photography style. See the photos yourself below! Big thanks go out to OMEGA for the fabulous event, from the lovely portraits, to the gourmet handmade popsicles (pure genius, Chef Will Lee of Notch 8!), sparkling wine, and lots of sparkly accessories to try on!

Behind the scenes of that The Collective You portrait (can you spot the fan??)

Trying on OMEGA shades with Leeanne of LegalLee Blonde

Jacket - Calvin Klein | Pants - Calvin Klein | Shoes - Betsey Johnson | Purse - Kate Spade | Necklace - c/o Everly | Bracelet - c/o Nobis & Grey

Happy Holiday Styling! xo

~ Britta

Holiday Outfit Inspiration: The Anti-LBD

Holiday parties are in full swing, and I'm loving it! While I love my little black dresses, I thrifted this black jumpsuit from the Salvation Army a couple months ago, and I have been dying for a chance to wear it - in place of an LBD. It doesn't hurt that this one also happens to be on point with the off-the-shoulder trend too. Oh and it's kind like the trendy culottes too. Win! Don't ever let someone tell you you can't find trendy, fashionable pieces at the thrift store. If you're feeling like your holiday look needs a bit of a shake-up, give a jumpsuit a try! I've linked to a few other cute (and sexy!) ones below, in case you're looking for one yourself.

What do you think? Would you switch out your LDB for a jumpsuit this holiday season? 

Jumpsuit - Zara (thrifted via Salvation Army) | Earrings - Nobis & Grey | Belt - vintage | Heels - Aldo (thrifted via Salvation Army)

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Look of the Week: Holiday Sequins

December is officially here, so this is the time for everything sparkly and sequinned in your closet to make its debut! When thinking about what to wear for holiday parties and get-togethers, try infusing some of this year's glitz and glam of Gatsby style. Here, I used 20's inspired details like the beaded headband, plum nails, and deep berry lips to give the outfit that vintage look. You can also use this hair tutorial to get your hair like I have it here (and believe me, it's really easy). With all those sequins, it's important not to over-do it with the formalwear; I opted for dark wash skinny jeans rather than anything too dressy like a skirt. And a structured wool blazer gives enough shape to a slouchy sweater.

For my first holiday outing of the season, I indulged in vintage holiday high tea at the Little White House at their newest location in Abbotsford. If you haven't been before, this is a great time to go, because both locations, Abbotsford and Fort Langley, are all done up in vintage Parisian / shabby chic Christmas decor that is utterly charming. And my ever-so-fashionable friend & blogger Kassandra of Kassinka was lovely company for an afternoon of dainty eats, cream of earl grey tea, and a glam winter photo shoot (with her amazing camera)! If you love colour, take some inspiration from Kassandra's outfit featuring festive jewel tones.

Sweater-J Crew (thrifted), Blazer-my mom's, Headband-Icing, Ring-H&M, Jeans-Urban Planet, Purse-hand me down, Shoes-BCBG(via Vince Camuto)

follow me / make your ownLYST

Happy Styling! xo

~Britta