Monthly High-Five // 020

5 things on my mind for December

Hi Friends,

Welcome to the December issue of the Monthly High-Five!

I thought I’d do something a bit different for this month and create a holiday version of this newsletter from last year, featuring different types of pieces you can consider to avoid shopping for a fantasy holiday wardrobe.

The idea was inspired by some recent clients who wanted to make some new holiday purchases. In reviewing their existing wardrobe and what they previously purchased for the holidays, there were a lot of overt design themes (sequins, bold fairisle, festive plaids, red shine). Now there’s nothing wrong with those ideas if that’s what your heart fancies - I am all about the fun little holiday pieces that can feel like a special statement - but I found my clients purchased either impulsively (Thank you to Black Friday FOMO sales) or they felt like it served them in that moment but found they quickly tired of it by the time the season came around again.

So, instead we thought about holiday-specific pieces through a new lens - taking the elements of what helps make one feel festive and of-the-moment but grounded in versatility so that purchases can still feel wearable and relevant to your lifestyle outside of the holiday season.

ps - If you are looking for some very cool, approachable, and creative styling ideas for the holidays, check out the newsletter from last week where I had some of my favorite substackers share what they plan to wear for holiday festivities!

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5 Ideas To Help Avoid Shopping For A Fantasy Holiday Wardrobe + 4 Ways To Style Them

As always, I like to style some of the same pieces together to show you how to restyle in different ways. You don’t need these exact pieces - take inspiration from the shapes, color combinations, and elements to create new outfits using what you already own!

I am all for a sequin top but it’s what I like to call an emotional purchase - meaning, you have to resonate it with internally for it to be something you can repeat with ease long after the holiday season. If you find you only love sequins in December, how about investing in a forever cool and chic evening tuxedo blazer? Also love the look of this one, or this budget-friendly option.

Shown with: COS sheer turtleneck // Proenza Schouler belt // Toteme boots (own last years version and they are my everyday black boot) // Ossou denim // Charvet Slippers // Zara bag // old Rohe lace top // TWP trousers // Dorsey Hendry Studs (my favorite to dress up jeans) // Tom Ford Heels

Any type of fringe/chainstitch jacket feels very on-the-nose sometimes so I’d rather play with it in something like a scarf. Or, if I were doing this type of jacket, I’d have it be tonal so it feels more subtle. Instead, how about taking the elements of the scarf wrap and applying it to a great coat you won’t get tired of by next season?

Without all the added detail of the chainstitch and fringe, you can style other statement pieces from your wardrobe without it competing for attention. Shown with: COS sweater // Zara bag // Proenza Schouler boots (just got these and love the unexpected neutral color) // Reformation Kelsey Set // Dorsey Earring // Staud Wally Boots // old Rohe lace top // COS gallery clutch // Margaux Heels

When the invitation says “festive”, your first thought might be to buy the piece with the most amount of sparkle. Instead, you can incorporate shine and glam by playing with luxe fabrics like a silk set (the brand also does a higher coverage top + silk pant option). and texture by way of a sparkly fun bag (ie: low effort-high impact accessory…this is on it’s way to me so I’ll report back!).

Shown with: COS sweater // Staud Wally Boots // Dorsey Earrings // COS gallery clutch // The Row vika heels // Toteme Boots

Ok, don’t come at me for featuring a plaid pajama set because I know it’s a holiday favorite!! I’m just saying…if you aren’t being gifted it and aren’t obliged to wear them for a family photo and want to wear something cozy and new for the holidays, there are cool and luxe flannel shirts and pants that you can spice up with festive socks and beanies!

Looks I’m dying to wear next Spring. Shown with: Proenza Schouler belt // Agolde Luna jean // Charvet Slippers // Nili Lotan Blazer // Leset Margo Tee // Staud Alba flats // Dorsey Hendry Studs // Jimmy Fairly sunglasses // Chan Luu tote // Khaite Aimee sandals

3 Recent Inspiration Images

Sharing a few screenshots I took recently. I was inspired by the simplicity of the pieces but styled in interesting ways. They all feel so approachable, like we all have pieces we can use to recreate versions of this right now from our own closets.

I love the mix of seasonal pieces in her outfit - the Fall menswear blazer, the wintery wool shawl tied as a skirt over jeans and mixed with her summery woven bag, well worn boat shoes, and a colorful beaded necklace. I think you could easily translate this for colder weather by layering a turtleneck instead of a tee, or with a longer coat and boots.

I always have at least one screenshot from J. Crew’s creative director, Olympia Gayot, within a scrolling distance of my camera roll. Puffers are rarely cute but I love the bright cheery charm of this red one and how she styled with a menswear look. It also has a nostalgic look and feel to it which makes sense as it was pulled from their archives.

Leave it to Alexa Chung to make such classic pieces feel so fresh again! A structured coat, a graphic tee or hoodie (or better yet, a graphic hoodie!), and white jeans. I always tell my clients not to be scared of white jeans in the winter…it feels vibrant and unexpected but still chill! And the refined interesting balance of the classic ballet flat with this more casual sporty look. Pieces all from her Madewell collab!

2 Updates

• New Newsletter Send-Out Time

  I send this newsletter out every Sunday but I find that I end up editing all throughout the weekend so I’m thinking about updating the day of the week I send these.

  I haven’t decided if I’ll make the switch just yet as I’d love to hear your feedback first. Any update to the timing will go into effect the first week of January.

• Lookbook styling for the holidays!

If you feel like you have all the pieces hanging in your closet but can’t execute what you want for upcoming holiday plans, then a digital lookbook might just be what you need!

10 new outfits with personalized styling notes using what you already own. I’ll reference whatever you have uploaded - it could be Indyx, Whering, a powerpoint, or PDF.

I have two groups remaining for December digital lookbooks which you can book here.

feedback notes from November lookbook clients

1 Quote I’m Resonating With

the best moments are those shared around connection - whether it’s with close girlfriends, partners, or family, I hope you enjoy the sparkles of everyday life this holiday season

Thank you for being here and I’ll see you next Sunday!

All my best.

xx,

Angie