It’s Thanksgiving Week! This week is always a whirlwind of food, family and holiday spirit. For those of you who have found a way to keep Christmas at bay, that will be over this week. There’s no tuning it out once we get past Thanksgiving. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

As we prepare for the week ahead, one of the last things you’re probably thinking about is what you’ll wear on Thursday. So consider this your reminder to think ahead and plan that outfit. Need a little help? That’s what I’m here for.

What you wear for the Thanksgiving holiday will completely depend on how you are planning to celebrate. You might be the chef and hosting dinner. You might be a guest in your in-laws home. You might be headed to a casual family get together. There are a variety of situations in which you might find yourself. Let’s breakdown the options.

For those who are hosting, I recommend a print blouse and jeans or a pair of dark pants (depending on whether your event is more casual or more dressy). If you’re hosting you’ll be in and out of the kitchen, finishing up cooking and serving dinner. Darker print tops are more likely to hide spills or splatters. A machine washable option will set your mind at ease should a spill take place.

For those who are attending a more formal Thanksgiving dinner as a guest, you can also go with a print top and pants or better yet, a print dress that is on trend for fall. A floral or animal print is popular this season and easy to find. There are also plenty of fall colors on display to complement your complexion. Find what suits you best.

For those who are looking for something more casual, go with a simple jeans and sweater combination. To stay on trend for fall, find a sweater in a gorgeous jewel tone that will bring life to your outfit. Dress it up or down with accessories as you feel appropriate.

Thanksgiving offers a wide variety of options for what to wear. If you need inspiration see the items I have highlighted below. You want to be comfortable and confident. Then turn your attention to your family and friends and the meal you have the pleasure of sharing together. Happy Thanksgiving!!

J. Crew Factory Long Sleeve Leopard Drapey Tie-Neck Top

The holidays are here…. specifically Christmas…

I was convinced that it’s too early for Christmas. I’m pretty sure that I still have loads of Halloween candy in my house. Yet, everywhere I go, every department store, supermarket, even every retail website I visit is exploding Christmas. Even my coffee cup is wishing me a Merry Holiday!

So now that I’m full aware of what season we’re in, it’s time to get ready for those holiday parties. They come fast and furious and I’m willing to bet that your calendar is already filling up with parties and get-togethers with friends and loved ones. So have you thought about what you’ll wear? Too early for that? You’ll pick something an hour before? And then be a complete wreck when you can’t find anything to wear in that closet full of clothes? Sound familiar?? You’re not alone!

Enter me! This is why I’m here. To remind you that you have time to find something great to wear this holiday season to all those events and that your planning should start now. Oh , and I’ll have a few suggestions here too. You’re welcome.

So where to start? Chances are that you’ll have more than one event over the next few holidays to attend. And chances are also that the dress code for all these events won’t be the same. You might have a work Christmas party, a family dinner and a cocktail party to attend… does this mean you have to plan three separate outfits and break your bank account before you’ve even started Christmas shopping? Not necessarily!

There are plenty of options that could be versatile choices for your holiday wardrobe that could be dressed up or down for the occasion. To get the most out of your wardrobe try to find pieces that you love… that you’ll want to wear again. That’s key to maximizing your wardrobe!

This off white blouse with black ribbon detail was a piece that I picked up at Zara a couple years back. I love the versatility and timelessness of this piece. It’s perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans or complementing a flirty back skirt. This is a great option for the upcoming holiday season, and lucky for you, a similar version is not available at the Loft!

These velvet pants from J. Crew might be the answer to your holiday closet concerns. These pants are not only velvety soft but feature an elastic waist. Thanksgiving here we come! Dress these up with fancy heels and a blouse or dress them down with mules and a sweater. Versatility can be comfy and cozy! (Oh… AND if you didn’t know.. J. Crew is currently having a Friends and Family sale that you might want to check out!

These Holiday plaid tops also from J. Crew are another way to make your festive wardrobe a little more versatile. Pair these with a pair of statement earrings and a sequins skirt (yes, you read that right) for a dressed up option. Pair with pumps and jeans for a house party. Either of these blouses would pair well with gray or gold bottoms for a neutral option. Pick a pop of color bottom to shine a little brighter!

This sequin skirt is more versatile than you might think. The dress up options are obvious. But what about dressing down? A tee shirt comes to mind. A very casual one. A sweater could work too with flats. Pair this skirt with a subtle neutral or a bright pop of color… whatever complements your personal style best!

Finally the classic LBD is a timeless favorite. Chances are you have at least one if not two hanging in your closet already. The key to the perfect LBD is finding the fit that flatters you most. Whether you look best in a shift, sheath, wrap or fit & flare style, there is certainly an option available to suit your style. This wrap dress pictured above is a simple and fit flattering option from Banana Republic. The one that fits you best will go the furthest in your wardrobe. And when it comes to versatility, the options are endless.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your next shopping trip. It’s always good to think about what you might need in advance so you’re not scrambling for an outfit at the last minute and settling to purchase something that you may never wear again. I want you to make the most out of your wardrobe choices and that means being thoughtful about your purchases.

The only thing missing now are your accessories…. but one thing at a time, we’ll get to those a little later.

Thanksgiving Dressing

May you have a Merry Merry