What We Want to Wear: 08.12.2021

Ralph Lauren’s sequin jersey turtleneck, Alice + Olivia’s splashy jacket and Vince’s satiny olive popover blouse.

By Janet Kelly

DAMN. JUST WHEN we’re set to celebrate—albeit cautiously—Omicron is—or maybe is—throwing up a roadblock. But whatever state of limbo we find ourselves in, the calendar still reminds us it’s the holiday season.

It’s dark outside, the news forecasts nothing but bleak. Could we perhaps inject a teeny little bit of levity and light into this situation? (By the way, thank you, Hanukkah.)

In any case, contemplating my mostly black collection of dressy clothes thinking about what to wear for the few festive events on my agenda, I’ve concluded that shiny, richly colored, plush or frothy—tops are the way to go.

Here’s what I have my eye on:

LEFT: Massimo Dutti’s elbow-length, metallic High Neck T-Shirt is just the kind of underpinning that— if you own—makes deciding what to wear for a holiday dinner, New Year’s brunch, etc., much less of a hand-wringer. You can rely on it to dress up a pair of leather pants or skirt or make a statement when slipped under a shiny satin or rich black velvet jacket. It’s $45.90.

RIGHT: The days will be getting shorter until Dec. 22 or so, and then, darn, only start to get longer oh so slowly. So, yes, we need as much light as possible. Polo Ralph Lauren’s slim jersey turtleneck gets its lustrous look from the champagne-colored sequins that twinkle all over it. It’s $298 at The Yes.

LEFT: Velvet and holiday season go together like—well, you know. Take Johnny Was’s Cora Leopard Velvet Mandarin Shirt, which shows off the brand’s signature rich colors and playful prints. If coordinated looks appeal, pair with the label’s burgundy corduroy velvet holiday pant. On a more casual note, it will also zhuzh up black leggings or jeans. It sells for $250.

RIGHT: If you prefer your dress-up style more classic, less boho, consider Eileen Fisher’s Long Velvet Button Up Shirt ($278, Bloomingdale’s). In a drapey velvet-and-silk material, it fits closely at the shoulders and wider at the hem for a relaxed silhouette for which EF is known and loved—at least by some.

LEFT: Feel ready for a little—or, rather a lot of bling? The splashy sequins all over this boxy cut, cropped jacket  place it squarely in that swanky realm. We are puzzling over what Alice + Olivia designer Stacy Bendet had in mind when she called it the Kidman Jacket. As in Nicole? We’ll just attribute it to creative license. The jacket is $795 at Alice + Olivia.

RIGHT: That big glittery bow saves this Alice + Olivia cardigan from looking too prim and proper. Even so, it’s the ultimate ladylike layer, the one you pull from your closet when the occasion calls for it. Acknowledge the cropped cut by wearing it over high-waisted pants or a full skirt. Available in a more girlish pink, the price is $550 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

LEFT: Elyce Arons, who took over the reins of Frances Valentine when Kate Spade died in 2018, has continued in the spirit of Spade’s distinct aesthetic and love of vintage tweaked with modern. To wit, the RBG Cardigan ($448). The pearl-beaded yolk pays tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s lace collars; the bracelet-length sleeves and crew neck are vintage Kate style. Whatever color you choose (it also comes in black and olive green), we think it’s clever.

RIGHT: There’s something so appealingly nonchalant about this Harris Blouse ($260) from Brit brand Reiss. Perhaps it’s the off-the-beaten track muted pink-red color or its effortless drape. The neat concealed placket balances the billowy sleeves and the elongated cuffs. Along those lines, pair with slim-fit, tailored pants.

LEFT: Tory Burch puts a contemporary spin on this velvet devoré blouse (devoré is a method of creating a pattern in velvet by dissolving some of the threads) with an abstract floral print rather. Finished with ribbed knit at the high turtleneck collar, on the cuffs and waistband, the semi-transparent shirt will likely require wearing a black camisole underneath. It sells for $498.

RIGHT: Vince’s popover blouse ($320) with a deep, sexy v-neckline comes in lush satiny colors, including blush, blue iris, burgundy and our favorite, this olive hue. For the most impact, wear with black velvet pants. A less expensive alternative is Everlane’s washable silk shirt in the same color family.

LEFT: Best known for fashion-forward fur designs, Paris-based Yves Salomon knocks it out of the park with this frothy feather vest lined in silk. An antidote to gray skies, it’s $325 at Net a Porter.
RIGHT: Make merry with the ruffly details and seductive, see-through fabric on Twinset’s Leopard Print Blouse ($193, some sizes available with a 30% discount) at Farfetch.

ABOVE: Don’t save Mango’s midnight blue lurex T-shirt ($49.99) for the right occasion. Make an ordinary day a festive one with its dash of shine and sparkle.

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