Heading into the holidays with favorite pieces packed for the season ahead.

Holiday style should feel fun, not stressful — and the truth is, you probably already own most of what you need to look festive.

Living in a warm climate, I’ve learned to make my summer dresses work for the holidays — adding metallic heels, a cream wrap, or a faux-fur shrug to make them perfect for the season. I’ve also kept a small collection of winter pieces from when I lived in a four-season climate, so when I travel somewhere cold, I can layer them and refresh my look from what I already own.

For winter trips, I reach for the pieces I love most — a dress I wore last Christmas in London, my go-to ankle boots, my favorite plaid scarf, and a shearling bag I’ve carried for years.

This guide is about creating a holiday capsule from what you already love — making the most of what’s in your closet, styling pieces in new ways, and thoughtfully bringing in any new items you’ll wear long after the season ends.

To do that, you can use a simple process that helps you focus and see what you already have. It’s an approach to planning holiday outfits from your own wardrobe — a way to highlight the pieces that already work and see that you have more options than you think.

Holiday details I’m loving right now — soft knits, a little shine, and something festive.

🎨 Start with the Mood

✨ Begin with Inspiration
Before you even open your closet, decide on the feeling you want your holiday wardrobe to have — cozy, glamorous, or a mix of both.

This year, I’m bringing in metallic gold, velvet, holiday florals, and plaid accents — but pairing them with summer dresses, light wraps, and gold sandals so they work for where I live.

A quick mood board — Pinterest, a few screenshots, or even a note in your phone — helps focus your ideas before you start pulling pieces.

Think about:

Textures: velvet, sequins, lace, cozy knits, or shearling
Palette: camel, cream, red, chocolate brown, and metallics
Details: gold jewelry, standout clutch, metallic heels, or a soft scarf

Once you have your mood in mind, open your closet and pull out the pieces that match — the ones that fit the look you just created — and make note of any gaps you might want to fill. You might be surprised by how much you already have that works.

This year, my holiday mood board is inspired by the effortless, cozy-yet-glamorous style of Amanda Woods in The Holiday. I’m not recreating her exact outfits, but I love her style — put together and relaxed at the same time — so I used that as my starting point. Then I added my own spin: layering in winter florals for cold-weather looks and reimagining her cozy style for a warm-weather Christmas.

**Cold-Weather Holiday Mood**
*A cozy Surrey-cottage Christmas vibe — shearling coats, plaid scarves, soft knits, and a touch of gold sparkle for a festive night out.*

**Warm-Weather Holiday Mood**
A warm-weather Christmas — breezy florals, raffia textures, gold sandals, and metallic accents for a little festive sparkle. The same effortless, cozy-yet-glamorous energy — just reimagined for sunshine.

🎁 Holiday Moments & Outfit Ideas

Here’s where I put my own mood board into action.
These are the looks I find myself reaching for in different moments throughout December — all built from pieces I already own. Your mood board might lead you somewhere completely different, and that’s the best part. Let it reflect your season, your plans, your style, and what makes you feel good.

Use these as ideas to spark your own combinations, not rules you have to follow. Whether you’re celebrating in a cold or warm climate, try putting your holiday outfits together starting with what you already have in your closet.

Tree Lighting & Holiday Shopping

Cold-Weather Look: When I’m traveling somewhere cold, I reach for cream jeans or corduroy with a soft knit, a plaid scarf, and boots. I throw on a camel coat for warmth and use a crossbody bag so my hands stay free. Your version might swap in darker denim, a different coat, or a favorite scarf inspired from your mood board.

Holiday capsule wardrobe mood board with plaid scarf, knit sweater, velvet dress, and gold trench coat for seasonal outfit inspiration.

Elizabeth holiday shopping in London wearing black jeans, camel coat, and plaid scarf — festive outfit idea for tree lighting or Christmas events. — *Putting the look into action: wearing my camel coat and cream jeans at Covent Garden during the holidays.*

Warm-Weather Edit: When it’s warm, I go for a light sundress or linen set in one of my holiday colors, add gold sandals, and toss on a light scarf, wrap, cardigan or white jean jacket. I finish with a crossbody bag — yours might be a neutral woven style or metallic detail for a subtle festive touch.

Tropical tree-lighting look — palm-print slip dress, ivory cardigan, gold flats, and a chic raffia bag for a day of shopping and evening holiday events.

Cookie Swap or Decorating Night

Cold-Weather Look: I like dark denim with a feminine blouse or a velvet jean with a soft sweater for nights at home with friends or family. You might choose something brighter or more casual based on your board. Add a holiday headband, standout shoes, earrings, or a necklace. Little details make the outfit feel festive for December.

Flatlay holiday outfit with dark denim wide-leg pants, cream sweater, gold earrings, metallic shoes, and festive accessories — perfect for a cookie swap or decorating night. — Dark denim, a soft sweater, and a few gold accessories — cozy but still festive for a cookie swap or decorating night.

Warm-Weather Edit: I would wear white or cream denim with a short-sleeve blouse, or a lightweight midi skirt with a crochet tank. Then I would add metallic sandals and gold jewelry for a hint of festivity without overheating.

Flat lay of a warm-weather holiday outfit with pale tropical botanical blouse, cream denim, gold sandals, round straw crossbody bag, and gold jewelry — Warm-weather holiday look — cream denim, pale tropical print blouse, gold sandals, and straw bag for a daytime cookie swap outfit.

Holiday Concerts & Parties

Holiday dressy outfit inspiration on a clothing rack with a gold trench coat, camel coat, velvet dress, sequin skirt, plaid scarf, and gold heels — festive capsule wardrobe ideas. — Holiday party ready: a mix of velvet, sequins, plaid, and gold — styled with layers and accessories to fit the night.

Cold-Weather Look: When I get dressed up, I lean toward dresses or a skirt-and-top set that looks like a dress. I love wearing a printed dress with a faux-fur wrap, or velvet, blush, or cream tones paired with gold accessories.

Chic holiday party style — a champagne velvet wrap dress with a cream wrap coat, gold pumps, and a faux-fur stole for an elegant winter look.

Warm-Weather Edit: Restyle a summer dress with gold jewelry and a cream wrap. Add heeled sandals or metallic flats so it feels holiday-ready.

This yellow floral dress works in every season, and the touches of red and green make it perfect for a warm-weather Christmas. Add metallic accessories, and it becomes an easy, holiday-ready look.

Check your mood board and pull pieces that work together — your version might be a jewel-toned dress, a slip dress styled up with accessories, or a skirt and top you already own worn in a new way.

🎄 Christmas Eve

Cold-Weather Edit:
I love a look like this: a romantic dress layered with a camel coat, gold heels, and a small clutch — classic and timeless. If it’s very cold, I’ll add tights and swap the heels for tall boots.

Warm-Weather Edit:
In a warm climate, I keep it lighter — the same romantic dress with metallic sandals or block heels, a light wrap, and delicate jewelry.

Romantic floral holiday dress with black ribbon bow, styled with a camel coat, gold clutch, and gold heels, perfect for Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day gatherings in warm or cold weather. — Romantic holiday look — a floral dress with black ribbon, camel coat, gold heels, and clutch for a timeless Christmas Eve or Christmas Day outfit. Add tights and tall boots for extra warmth, or keep it light with sandals for a warm-climate celebration.

🎁 Christmas Day

Cold-Weather Edit:
I’d choose a knit dress or a matching set with boots or flats — something cozy but still cute for photos and gatherings. Add a scarf or plaid accessory for a festive touch.

Cream cable-knit sweater dress with a ribbed turtleneck, long sleeves, and a matching tie belt, laid flat on a neutral background — a cozy and chic winter outfit option. — Cozy and classic— a cream knit dress with simple gold jewelry for Christmas Day

Warm-Weather Edit:
Since it’s warm where I live, I usually go for a dress or set in cream, red, or green with metallic sandals and simple jewelry — something easy to wear all day.

Blush pink ruffle sweater and matching tiered midi skirt styled with gold strappy sandals, a metallic gold clutch, and gold hoop earrings, arranged on an off-white background — a festive and feminine Christmas Day outfit. — Blush ruffle set with gold sandals and clutch — a light, festive look perfect for Christmas Day gatherings in a warm climate.

🎩 Winter Formal or Black Tie

Cold-Weather Look:
If you already own a long dress, style it for the holiday season — add a faux-fur wrap, a metallic heel, or a statement earring to make it festive. For warmth, top it with a classic long wool or evening coat.

Black tie holiday outfit flatlay with sequin gown, faux-fur wrap, gold clutch, heels, and statement earrings — Black tie made simple — a sequin dress, faux-fur wrap, gold heels, and statement earrings

Warm-Weather Edit:
In warm climates, I would wear an embroidered floral gown and pair it with metallic sandals, a gold clutch, and simple jewelry . If you don’t already own a formal dress, renting is a thoughtful way to wear something special without buying a piece that may only get worn once.

Woman wearing a black embroidered floral gown with a gold clutch, standing indoors with a Basset Hound. A versatile warm-weather holiday dress that can transition to cooler climates with layers. — This embroidered floral gown is a piece that works beautifully in both warm and cool climates. The tropical-inspired embroidery makes it perfect for milder weather, while the black base and metallic accessories keep the look festive and holiday-ready.

✨ Styling Additions That Make a Difference

Holiday accessory flatlay with plaid scarf, gold jewelry, faux-fur wrap, metallic shoes, and statement headband — easy ways to refresh favorite outfits. — *Plaid, faux fur, gold jewelry, and a few festive details — small additions that completely change the look.*

These are the finishing touches that make what you already own feel fresh for the holidays:

Layer a cropped or soft knit over a sleeveless dress
Pair your favorite summer dress with gold accessories or a faux-fur wrap to make it feel seasonal
Mix textures: velvet with silk, knits with satin, leather with sequins
Choose tones you love — blush, cream, festive prints — and finish with gold jewelry, metallic shoes, or a standout clutch

Keep your mood board in mind here too — it can guide which textures, colors, and accessories make your outfits feel pulled together.

🥂 If You’re Shopping

Sometimes all it takes is one well-chosen piece — or even something borrowed — to pull your wardrobe together for the season. Renting or shopping secondhand is a thoughtful way to try something new without buying just for one event.

If you do buy something new, choose a piece that is timeless and you will wear again and again: a coat you’ll wear for years, a clutch that works with almost anything, or earrings you look forward to wearing every December or for special occasions throughout the year. Check out my post on Wardrobe Investments for more information on shopping for quality pieces.

Close-up of holiday outfit details including festive accessories, favorite dresses, and styling elements ready to wear again this season — Favorite pieces and simple details — ready to wear again this season.

Your holiday wardrobe should tell your story — not just through what’s new, but through the pieces you reach for year after year. Use your mood board as a guide and start putting together outfits from what you already own.

✨Your Turn

Before you buy anything new this season, try creating your own holiday mood board.
Start with the feeling you want, then let your closet do the rest — you’ll be amazed by how much you already own that fits your vision.

If you’d like a guide, I’ve created a Holiday Mood Board Template to help you get started.

👉 Use the template here and build your own board.

You can also use the Inspiration Gallery for your holiday mood board ideas.

✨ Holiday Capsule Favorites

Holiday mood board inspired by Amanda Woods in The Holiday, featuring a coral tropical-print fabric swatch, gold sandals, raffia clutch, greenery accents, and metallic holiday accessories for a chic warm-weather twist. — Amanda Woods–inspired holiday mood board with a tropical twist — a mix of cozy winter textures and breezy resort prints for a festive vibe wherever you celebrate..

Here are a few versatile pieces that match the outfits and mood board I shared above — perfect if you want to fill any gaps in your holiday capsule this season.

Dresses & Skirts
🛍️ Velvet wrap dress (classic & flattering)
🛍️ Gold sequin midi skirt (perfect for parties)
🛍️ Tropical-inspired holiday dress (warm-weather option)

Coats & Layers
🛍️ Camel coat (wear with everything)
🛍️ Faux-fur stole (adds instant glamour)

Shoes & Accessories
🛍️ Gold strappy sandals
🛍️ Closed-toe gold pumps
🛍️ Metallic clutch
🛍️ Festive statement earrings