The holiday season is full of photo-ops, candids, and Kodak moments. My family would take pictures with every present opened, every cookie eaten, and every family combination possible (I took pictures with cousins, with my mom's side, with my dad's side, with grandparents, in height order... the list goes on). Besides wanting to look my best for the special occasion, I wanted to look even better for the memories that lasted forever– photographic evidence.
Even as a child, I tried my best to dress to impress. As soon as I could dress myself, I experimented with color and texture. The results weren't always pretty.
However, I still want to keep the whimsy and bold choices that inspired the bright and match-matchy outfits of my past. Maybe transforming my childhood outfits in to things I would actually wear today isn't so crazy after all.
The Ugly Holiday Sweater
Even though I was so young, I remember loving this sweater. I mean, who wouldn't? It had all the colors of the season, a festive family of snow-people, and a tutu frill attached to the bottom. It was a classic "ugly Christmas sweater." Now sported by college students across the nation for themed parties, the ugly holiday sweater's whimsical legacy lives on.
For my family Christmas parties today, I could go one of two routes.
First, I could keep all the pizzazz that is embodied in the ugly ugly holiday sweater. Rocking this Holiday sweater with snowflakes and a pug is charming, funny, and right in spirit with the joy of the season. This choice is basically the adult-size of my favorite childhood sweater.
Alternatively, I could take inspiration from the ugly holiday sweater and wear something cozy and seasonal. This chunky sweater tones down the traditional bright green associated with Christmas and combines comfort with style. It can easily be paired with other neutrals, a skirt (as pictured), or a casual pair of skinny jeans.
The Monochrome Look
Monochrome is, admittedly, a hard look to pull off. It's especially difficult to do when it's monochrome, bright pink sweats. I pulled off this look pretty well at age four, but I'm not so sure how well this exact look would work out for me at age twenty.
I might have also added a pop of color with a blanket scarf, rather than opting for the cardigan. Houndstooth, rich neutrals, and plaid would all pair well with an all-black look.
The Fancy-Pants
This look was all about making a statement. Hot pink, tropical pants on Thanksgiving was the definition of a statement back in my elementary school days. I honestly don't think I would take such a fashion risk today. However, the pop of color added from a patterned or bright pant is still a great way to incorporate color or texture into an otherwise basic outfit.
Though not as bold as my elementary school pants, these pants have the same spirit. They deter from the jeans and leggings that I am caught wearing every other day of the winter. Usually, tops work to dress-up an outfit. Making pants the center-point of the outfit adds a new edge to basic tops, letting me wear my favorite comfy, cotton t-shirt to a special event.
The Patterned Dress
This was my favorite dress in elementary school. I vividly remember wearing this dress on show-and-tell days, knowing that my look was absolutely on point. This dress surely stood out from the rest, with bright colors and pattern on a classic silhouette (a basic shift dress with trendy spaghetti straps).
I'm still a huge fan of balancing trends with classic looks. These colors, albeit muted compared to my elementary school choices, are on trend in the winter season. I like this dress more than a classic LBD because it adds dimension through the pattern and through the silhouette. Combining the two in interesting ways creates a stand-out look. This look makes a statement just like my pink and orange childhood dress did. To wear a dress at all in the winter is to make a statement, especially when it's easier to just wear pants.
The Textured Dress
This final outfit is similar in many ways to my childhood patterned dress. It is basic in so many ways but pushes boundaries through the details. The blue velvet t-shirt dress stood the test of time.
I mean, just look at this blue velvet t-shirt dress. This is for sale. Today. You can literally buy this dress. A mini version of it was worn by me fifteen years ago. Today it is modeled by a better looking version of myself. Life is cyclical, man.
