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How to Make any Outfit Holiday Ready

From my polls on Instagram, many of you stated that you don’t get that dressed up anymore for the holidays. So let’s chat about making your everyday outfits more Holiday friendly. How to Make any Outfit Holiday Ready? Add rhinestones! Today I am joining my pals Sarah and Kim for our monthly Signature Style Series.

It was a dreary rainy day for photographs so some are a little hazy!

Here I am wearing an inexpensive tulle skirt with a Talbots shirt and combat boots. Of course, you could substitute other boots or pretty ballet flats as well. I gave the look holiday sparkle by covering the buttons with vintage rhinestone brooches. I added rhinestone earrings (vintage) and rhinestone bracelets for holiday fun. I have linked some new options below but you can also find vintage rhinestone brooches here on eBay. Smaller ones would actually be great on this shirt. I am wearing a black belt backward because I cannot locate the suede obi belt that I would normally be wearing. You can also find vintage rhinestone bracelets on Ebay here or Etsy here. You can also find some great J Crew rhinestone bracelets (they are made very well) on Ebay here. Look for ones fitted with a clasp they last longer. Avoid the ones with elastic if you are buying used they won’t last. FYI J Crew has a black tartan shirt with rhinestones that is 50% off it is linked below the picture.

over 50 style blogger Cindy Hattersley in Tulle skirt for the Holidays

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Here I am wearing the same tulle skirt and combat boots (you could substitute any boots) and a pretty Anthro cashmere sweater for a more casual but still festive look. You can see where I styled a similar tulle skirt for the Holidays here.

over 50 style blogger Cindy Hattersley in Tulle Skirt and anthro sweater

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Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Here I am wearing the beautiful Lysee Faux Mink Sweater Coat. It is soft as silk by the way. You can use the code Cindy20 to receive 20% off if you use the above link. I covered the buttons with a couple of my vintage rhinestone brooches and added vintage rhinestone shoe clips to my favorite velvet birdies. You can find rhinestone shoe clips on eBay here., or on Etsy here.I have linked new ones below the post.

Over 50 Style Blogger Cindy Hattersley in Lysee coat and Eileen Fisher velvet pants

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My kids bought me this pretty velvet burnout shawl (similar on eBay here) many years ago and I always enjoy it during the holidays. I am wearing it with the Eileen Fisher velvet pants, my gentle soul’s Emma boots and rhinestone jewelry, and a vintage rhinestone clutch. You can find Whiting and Davis clutches on Etsy here, and on eBay here.

Over 50 Style Blogger Cindy Hattersley in Eileen Fisher velvet pants and burnout velvet scarf.

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I have always thought of this Athleta shirt as a sort of business in-front and party-in-the-back shirt. The Sojourn top has sold out but there are several on eBay here. You can see this shirt in my post The Great White Shirt here. I have linked another great white poplin shirt from Athleta (on sale) which you could give the same treatment. To make it more party-ready I covered the casual zipper with a rhinestone brooch. Again I am accessorizing it with the vintage rhinestone clutch rhinestone jewelry and my velvet birdies dressed up with vintage rhinestone shoe clips. The Artists shirt from Planet on Artful Home is another favorite that I have featured many times as well.

Over 50 Style Blogger Cindy Hattersley in Eileen Fisher velvet pants and Athleta shirt

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I popped into one of my favorite local boutiques Bijou Paso and spotted this …sweater. It looks fabulous with jeans but it also works well with the velvet pants, a favorite Parham and Co necklace, and the fabulous pearl earrings from Tammy Kinneman Designs. I felt this bold sweater needed only the statement necklace and earrings. Any more glitz might be too much.

Over 50 Style Blogger Cindy Hattersley in Eileen Fisher velvet pants and Bijou Paso Sweater

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Here I styled a normally casual Hudson Pullover sweater and faux leather pants from Lysee with Rhinestone earrings and bracelets. Remember to use the code Cindy20 on checkout for 20% off. I added the rhinestone shoe clips to my Artemis Design Co slides.

Over 50 Style Blogger Cindy Hattersley in Lysee sweater and faux leather leggings.

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Last but not least I am styling the Genni Kimono (you can see it styled more casually here) with rhinestone accessories, a crisp white shirt, and velvet birdies with rhinestone shoe clips.

Over 50 Style Blogger Cindy Hattersley in Johnny Was Kimono & Jeans

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Thank you so much for reading How to Make any Outfit Holiday Ready. Unfortunately, today Kim and I say goodbye to our pal Sarah on Signature Style. Sarah is busy redoing her house to sell among other things so blogging will be on the back burner for her. I am sure you can still find her on Instagram sharing her wisdom. I interviewed Sarah for Ageless Style back in September 2020 and we began Signature Style together in January 2020. Kim joined us shortly thereafter. Kim and I will continue the monthly series and hope that we can convince Sarah to pop in now and then. I know you all enjoyed Sarah’s contributions so much. She will be greatly missed.

LET’S POP OVER AND VISIT SARAH AND KIM FOR THEIR HOLIDAY LOOKS!

SARAH LONDON STYLE

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says

    Cindy, I love your holiday outfit ideas. I personally love to dress up for the holidays and cannot wait to this year. The plaid shirt and tulle skirt look beautiful with the brooches.

  2. LA CONTESSA says

    YES YES YES!
    NOW I CAN SEE!
    REMEMBER when you had the idea to photograph you in a tennis shoe and me in my velvet flat!I think I had put clips on then?!!THAT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO!!!
    HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT!!

  3. Barb L says

    Beautiful outfits (all!), love the brooches and your creative styling is amazing! Sorry to see Sarah moving on. Such a beautiful style and great tips. Wishing her well in her new adventures!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Barb

      We are so sorry to see Sarah go as well. She will still be inspiring us on Instagram!

  4. Juliet says

    Cindy! You’ve got me feeling festive. That tule skirt is the best … and I especially adore it with the plaid shirt. I’m so envious of your cream and black plaid sweater coat … gorgeous. And you look amazing in your fuchsia sweater. Great ideas … where are my party invitations?!!!! xo

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Juliet

      That sweater coat would be gorgeous on you with your coloring! I wish we were having a party!!

  5. Mary from Life at Belka Terra says

    Cindy, so many great ideas! Time to dig out my brooches and shoe clips. I can’t do the combat boots but you certainly can!!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Mary

      Yes! I forget about shoe clips. They are so great for the holidays and work beautifully on Birdies and Artemis!

  6. Jennifer Connolly says

    That seals the deal, I need a tulle skirt!! I love how you styled it here. Great post!!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Jennifer

      You need one! They are fun! We are going to a dressy New Years eve party and I will be wearing mine!!

  7. Barb says

    Thanks so much! Makes me so excited to “ shop my closet”! Had totally forgotten my burnout scarf! Seems like it’s been so long! You are a gem!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Barb

      I know! I think we can always think of new ways to wear the things that have special meaning to us. Why give it to goodwill if we can reinvent it. I thought about tying it around my waist as well, another option.

  8. kim says

    Cindy so many good styling ideas. Love that tulle skirt and the boots. Cool idea to use the brooches in place of buttons. I am going to try it with mine. Also..the shoe clips! I think everyone needs some rhinestone and crystal jewelry in their lives! I try and wear all of mine in the month of December..even with sweatshirts! Why not?

    The way you added the boots makes everything look fun and modern.. not stuffy. I love that wrap too..What a treasure and looks chic just wrapped over the top!

    I am sad Sarah won’t be with us . Loved seeing an Aussie’s perspective and her way of living and dressing. I hope she can pop in again and still do her wardrobe things on Insta.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Kim

      The Contessa last year had this great Free people sweatshirt that she adorned with a rhinestone brooch. It was wonderful. My sweatshirts aren’t that nice but a sweater yes!!

  9. Carol Heartfelt Whimsies says

    Love love love all these looks! There’s something so romantic about a tulle skirt! Your vintage brooches covering buttons and old shoe clips on your Birdies were gorgeous holiday details!! Your style is really fabulous!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Carol

      I agree I think the tulle skirts are timeless. I was wearing one my daughter wore to one of her proms for years until it had so many snags and tears (mostly from her!!) that I had to toss it. The ones from Chicwish are inexpensive and just as well-made as the expensive ones. Tulle is tulle in my opinion.

  10. Leslie says

    Such fabulous looks and I’m excited to shop my closet. I tried to order the black net skirt but find it’s back ordered to mid January. Sad face. Last month I wanted the silver bow Anthro flats and they were not expected for months. Now they are gone from the site. It must be frustrating for you to recommend items only to have supply chain issues. Crossing my fingers that the tulle skirt does come through. Tulle is predicted to be big next year!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Leslie

      It is very frustrating, people complain but it is impossible sometimes, especially this time of year everything is sold out. I cannot do my fashion posts very far in advance or everything is gone. I emailed you some skirt options!

  11. Sarah London says

    Lovely post Cindy. You do holiday style so well. Adore every outfit! Thanks for the goodbye, I’ll miss blogging with you, but will constantly follow what you are up to for style inspiration. You are my Muse. Xx

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Sarah

      We will miss you terribly. If you ever change your mind we will welcome you with open arms! You opened up a whole new world to me!

  12. Janet Arden says

    I love all of these — festive but not fussy, a little on the edgy side, which is fun steer all the uber-casual looks from the last few years.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Janet

      Thanks so much! I try to come up with a mix of traditional and fun so that everyone can find something that works for them. Thanks for being such a Loyal reader!

  13. CHAR M says

    All fabulous looks for elevating everyday casual into at-home holiday mode! You’ve inspired me to shop my closet for existing bling, velvet, vintage rhinestones…and especially brooches you style year round. Love your twist on making stuffy-sounding things look modern, fresh and fun! Today I wore my Birdies cheetah-tassel velvet flats and dark purple ribbed tunic to hair appt where I got a very-modern asymmetrical pixie with long top layers. Then homemade chicken-noodle soup. Oh my, what a satisfying day, even without rhinestones I will dig out soon! Blessings to you and all the lovely souls on this journey.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Char

      Aren’t those birdie tassel flats so good! Mary Ann introduced them to me! I wasn’t sure that I could wear that version with the dreaded bunion. Sounds like you had a fulfilling day and a fabulous new haircut!

  14. Cindy Spell says

    I love the look of the Talbots red plaid blouse with the tulle skirt and combat boots, but don’t think I could pull it off. If only!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Cindy

      You might surprise yourself! I never thought I could pull off the combat boot look until I found the Stuart Weitzman version which are on super sale right now. They are super comfy too!!

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