From now until mid-December, your to-do list is likely overflowing.
Between school events, gift shopping, holiday travel, and juggling family commitments, carving out time—or energy—for what to wear is probably the last thing on your mind.
But I know… you still want to walk into every gathering feeling confident, put-together, and stylish—without standing in your closet second-guessing your outfit.
That’s why I created an easy, no-fail holiday outfit formula you can throw together in minutes with pieces you probably already own.
Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own and I only work with brands I love.
💬 Can I Really Dress Up Jeans and Still Look Festive?
Absolutely—and you don’t need that many adjustments to really make it work.
I know most of you want to feel comfortable during the holidays—not stuffed into something stiff, scratchy, or overly trendy. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. In fact, the right pair of jeans can be the perfect foundation for a chic, elevated, and totally festive holiday outfit.
It’s all about how you style them.
With a few easy tweaks—like choosing a flattering solid-colored top, adding the right shoes, and finishing with one statement accessory—you can create a look that’s effortless, festive, and pulled together in under 10 minutes.
I recommend this forumula when – you are short on time, can’t buy something new and still want to look amazing!
fail-proof holiday outfit formula…
1. The Jeans: Dark Wash & Elongating
Start with a pair of high-rise, dark-wash jeans that graze the top of your foot—ideally ½ to ¾ inch off the ground when paired with shoes. This length creates an instant elongating effect and makes your legs look miles long. The right pair will hug your shape in all the right places and give you that immediate, “I’ve got this” confidence boost.
Hopefully, you have a pair like these already in your closet, but if not, see our dark wash, leg-lengthening favorites below!
Style & Size Tip: Look for jeans with minimal fading or distressing for a more polished, dressy vibe. Be sure to double check both the rise and inseam to ensure a great fit for your shape and height. For example, I know that my preference is a 9-inch rise (minimum) and a 32-inch inseam (maximum). Many options below are less than 32 and ideal for those of you on the petite side.
2. The Top: Solid & Flattering
You don’t need a new top—just the right one. A black blouse is always a chic. You can also opt for a rich jewel tone like emerald, sapphire, or garnet add an effortless holiday pop without screaming “festive.”
I’m featuring black in this post because I think it’s the one you are most likely to already own. Choose a silhouette that makes you feel amazing —whether that’s an off-shoulder sexy option or a more conservative fitted turtleneck. (I linked several gorgeous options below!) I have had the turtleneck in these photos for over a year now. It’s just perfect for almost any occasion and even with the sexy sheer shoulder panels, you can still wear a regular bra. It’s lightweight too so you can easily layer over it.
Style Tip: To add extra warmth and polish, try a sleek black blazer or glam faux fur to elevate the look even more!
The Shoes
You have several choices here depending on what you already own and what is most comfortable for you. With this holiday uniform, if you want to stay extra warm, opt for a pair of sleek, suede black stiletto booties so you can wear socks. My faves are this pair by Veronica Beard that I’ve had for years. If stilettos are too much, go with a dressy suede block heel option.
To bring on the festive drama, you can go for a sparkly pair of pumps like these by Badgley Mischka (also pictured above). I also LOVE these gold tipped pumps that are a great dupe for a pair by Saint Laurent. These have a lot of cushion and are comfortable right out of the box! (No break-in time required.)
I added some of my favorite shoe selections below in case you don’t have a pair at the ready. Many are on sale too!
✨ Finish the Look with Accessories That Sparkle
This is where your simple outfit formula (jeans + flattering top + sleek shoes) really comes to life: accessories. One or two standout pieces can instantly transform your look from anytime-of-the-year-dinner to holiday-ready.
Here are three foolproof ways to elevate your jeans-and-top combo without adding effort:
1. Chandelier or Sparkly Earrings
Chandelier earrings are the perfect festive touch! They draw attention to your beautiful face, add instant glamour, and work whether your hair is up, down, or somewhere in between.
I linked some standout earrings below. Note that I’ve had Alexis Bittar jewelry for years. I really love this pair of chandelier earrings too! While the brand is a little pricer upfront, it does NOT tarnish. Years later, still looks brand new. I’ve tried so many jewelry lines in a similar price range that are gold plated and they all tarnish about the one or two year mark.
2. Standout Evening Bag
Swap your larger, everyday shoulder bag for a smaller, sleeker version or add even more pop and sparkle with an embellished bag! I gave you a variety below to choose from, many that will work well beyond the holidays for date night or dinners out. You could even invest in a designer clutch like this one by Jimmy Choo that you’ll carry for years and years.
Holiday Style Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
You don’t need a new wardrobe—or even a new outfit—to feel stylish and festive this holiday season. All you really need is a go-to formula you trust: elongating jeans, a solid top that flatters you, a polished shoe, and one or two standout (possibly sparkly) accessories.
The beauty of this look? It’s simple, easy-to-repeat for multiple events, warm, comfortable and elegant without being over-the-top.
So the next time that holiday invite hits your inbox and you’re tempted to say, “I have nothing to wear,” remember: you actually do. You just need the right pieces—and now you know exactly how to pull them together.
Bookmark this post so you always have a fallback outfit that makes you feel fabulous—with zero stress.
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