Hey, it’s November! I’m excited about that, you’re excited about that, we’re all excited about that!
So I figured we’d start off with a holiday-ish outfit — something perfect for a little holiday get together.
Remember a few weeks ago when we chatted about mixing masculine + feminine elements into an outfit for an effortless look? And all the times I’ve gone on and on about mixing dressy elements + casual elements? This is perhaps my favorite example of those concepts — ever! Hence the wildly over-the-top title.
The truth is, I’ve made my fair share of holiday dressing faux pas. Overdressing! Underdressing! Will I ever get it right?
Enter — this outfit. I finally have a go-to holiday outfit that’s cool AND girly, dressy AND casual. It’s like a chameleon outfit — if people are dressed up, you’ll look dressed up in your skirt. If people are dressed down, you’ll look dressed down in your flannel — I mean, and a little fancy too let’s be real, but at least you’re not in a cocktail dress covered in teal sequins.
Let’s do some quick math:
That lumberjack flannel button up
+ a soft, flowing midi skirt
+ fierce heels
= one effortless, not-too-dressy-not-too-casual, holiday look that’s super hot.
People … it’s holiday time! Ah!
Top: J.Crew (similar)
Skirt: Express (similar)
Shoes: Target
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Bracelets: Moulton
Stacking Rings: Moulton
And, don’t forget about the Moulton x Unfancy giveaway happening all week. You can score yo’self some lovely jewelry … for free!
xo
OH MY GOODNESS!!! I am in love with this outfit. If I didn’t have this belly from my last baby I would follow your links and buy this outfit for our holiday gatherings, like RIGHT NOW! I love it!
I’m sure you could still rock it!
You make flannel look so glamorous! (I have a feeling that if I was to attempt an outfit like this, I would end up looking like a lumberjack!)
I love this for a holiday outfit! It’s got a little bit of everything – fancy, edgy, casual. Perfect mix. I’m trying to think how it could be adjusted for cold (or freezing!) weather…I guess just add tights, a coat, and a scarf, and you’re good to go! I need to get some fancy sandals like those, they really add a lot to the look!
I adore this look, too! If only Boston were 70 degrees in Nov/Dec!
Hi Emily! :) Would it work for you as an indoor layer? Then for outdoors, you could toss a coat over it? I’ve never lived in a cold, cold climate so I’d be curious to know if that’s a doable way to approach it. What do you think? :) xo Caroline
Cute!
Just wanted to let you -know- that there is a typo in your post title : )
Thanks Carissa! It’s nice to know you’ve got my back. :) xo Caroline
Oh my goodness. This is my FAVORITEST outfit of your Fall capsule EVA. I am jealous of your long legs! I need to convert your mid-calf skirt idea to something that works on my 5’3′ frame. Love your efforless looks!
Do you color your hair or does it just come out of your head that way? Lol sorry didn’t know how else to phrase that. I love that you have some highlights (looks to be natural) and gives your hair dimension.
Sincerely, Tania
Hi Tania! Hahaha :) I haven’t colored my hair, so I think it’s the curls and the light — in some light my hair looks dull and mousey and in some light it looks all caramel and dimensional. And I’m just 5’5 so you can definitely pull off a look like that! :) xo Caroline
Hey Tania,
I’m 5’3 and I wear midi skirts all the time! I don’t find that they make me look short, but to be honest I don’t really have a problem being/looking short. I like my midi skirts to hit about two inches below the knee. I just get them hemmed if I need to. Generally if a skirt comes in petite the length the fine for me. Asos’s petite line is a good place to check out.
I need to look into other brands. I have a short torso + larger chest, so when I wear it at the hips, I get this dumpy after-look :/ I don’t have a problem with looking short, but I don’t like to look round and stumpy haha I am not blessed with a lean body.
This is great. Love it. So unexpected yet it works! ;)
This is a great outfit. You look lovely.
This is amazing! One of your best, truly! :)
Quick question: do I have to be from the US to enter the giveaway? I was quite sad about the restriction for the guest blogger, so I don’t want to get excited in advance about the amazing Moulton jewellery in case it’s not for me! :)
Hi Ania! The giveaway is open worldwide. :) xo Caroline
Great look! I really like your outfit and never would have guessed that two such opposite pieces can look this great together!
But I’m afraid it only works if you see the complete outfit. When you’re sitting at the dinner table and only the flannel button up is visible, it might look too casual.
Easy fix: add a blingy statement necklace over the plaid button-down!
:)
Really like this idea!
are those Target heels comfy? I rarely find comfy heels under 3″.
Hullo! This looks similar to my guest blogger app outfit (submitted under my married name email address) so obviously, this is my favorite of all outfits you’ve posted, hah!
Yay for the approaching holiday season!
p.s. Those bangles with that shirt made me enter the #moultonxunfancy giveaway immediately.
Oh man, I think this my favorite outfit you’ve shown to date!!!!! Love the skirt, the heels are fab, the bracelet is the perfect weight, and props to you on making the flannel so chic!
Confession: I have an Instagram account but have no idea how to use it! ;'(
But I’d be willing to learn for the giveaway!
I love this outfit! I would feel totally me and still dressed for a party. I have a shirt from Gap this season that is almost identical to yours. I am only 5’2″ so I worry like others that this shirt would not work on me.
Hi Kate,
How does the Gap version of this shirt fit you? And is it the plaid oxford shirt? I’m 5’2” as well and have been on the hunt for a good fitted plaid shirt to replace my aging one. I usually just wear things a bit looser, but a nicely fitted one seems key for full skirts. -Jane
I have the XS and I love the way it fits. Also the hemline is great for the half tuck which I love. It is a very light flannel and I think it would work well with this styling. I might try it with a short more fitted skirt.
Thanks! That’s my usual size, too, so I may go for it :)
Cheers!
Sorry typo skirt
Love this recipe! Love this outfit! Psyched for holiday party outfits!
I absolutely adore this outfit! Such a great holiday outfit that is equal parts cozy + cute.
xoxo
Taylor
This is my favourite look so far! <3 I have never commented before but have been following the blog rather obsessively for around 3 months now and started a fall capsule in October. I'm trying really hard not to keep buying additions and tweaking it but seeing this gorgeous skirt styled like this is making me think I neeeeeed it! I'm going to resist though and just admire it on you instead! Thankyou for all the inspiration <3 x
Would this outfit still look good with a maxi skirt? I don’t have a mid-length one
I have seen this combination of button ups + maxi skirts and boots. It looks great when you tie the button up at the waist where the skirt meets instead of tucking it in – but I’m sure tucking it in works just as well :)
pretty cool indeed! i must try something like this for myself..I lo lo lo love it!!
http://www.moniquitabella.com
Hi Caroline! Love the outfit. I was wondering if you’ve ever considering showing us readers how you arrange your clothes/accessories in your closet. I’m currently trying to find the best arrangement myself :)
Ooo, yes please, I second Mara’s comment. Would love a wardrobe organisation post.
Hi Caroline! I think it’d be awesome if you posted outfit of the day type photos on Instagram so we could see your “real life” outfits. I think it would make your capsule process more relatable. Just an idea! :)
Hi !
I’m fairly new here and I’ve loved discovering capsule wardrobes through your eye – so inspiring ! I’m thinking of starting a winter capsule and keep playing around with style uniforms and colour palettes. I love this outfit – effortless and elegant at the same time. I’m not much of a skirts kind of girl, especially longer ones, but you might have just convinced me ;) I just need to figure out whether it could work well with flat shoes instead of heels.
xo !
I wear an outfit much like this and I love it for work! I like a white and grey flannel and a midi skirt made from a scuba fabric
Allison from http://www.mercuteify.com/
I’m a little late commenting here but would you ever consider doing a couple’s holiday party style post? My hubby is pretty cool with me picking things for him but it is hard for me to figure out the guy version of the super cute outfit you blogged in this post. Thanks!
First. Love this outfit!!! Second. Is the express skirt still semi sheer like the one you are wearing. I definitely love the chiffon look of this skirt and the express one looked so flat black to me. Third. I feel like the pattern might look weird on me and lumberjack-ish. I love the red do you have another style of top you could recommend?
Thanks!