HOLIDAY OUTFITS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR DISTANT RELATIVES SAY “WOW SHE MUST BE DOING REALLY WELL
December 14, 2023
One of the worst parts about the holiday season is having to endure countless events where you’re subjected to endless questions from distant family members about your personal life. Although we can’t help you there, we can help you with what to wear.
Our co-founder Allie styled a few looks from her BARO closet that are perfect for your more ~formal~ holiday events. They’re so good they might just help keep your family members distracted long enough that they don’t care about what you’re doing with the rest of your life!
I hate the idea that “fancy” dresses can only be worn to super formal events. Who made that rule, that’s no fun! So, I’ve been on a mission to try and style my fancy-girl clothes in more versatile ways. I’ve worn this Alexander Wang dress (available to rent on BARO) to a black-tie wedding (and had a freakin blast), but when styled more casually (a la hi-lo dressing) with a pair of silver ballet flats, a vintage belt, maybe even… a cardigan?? I can easily get away with wearing it to my family holiday party where I will ultimately drink a little too much.
1. Fancy shmancy
If the phrase “Tory Burch Tunic” makes you think of a soccer mom at lunch in an unflattering paisley pastel print—then get ready to think again! Tory Burch went through a bit of a rebrand this past year and this hook-and-eye tunic (available to rent on BARO) was one of my favorite pieces from their SS23 show. Its versatility is the gift that keeps on giving this holiday season—wear it as a dress, a vest, or as a top over a skirt like I styled it here.
2. Make tunics cool again
This Cecile Bahnsen skirt (available to rent on BARO) is probably my favorite thing in my closet right now. It’s big and sculptural and chic, but it’s also made from a tracksuit-like material which gives it that signature track pant sound when you walk into a room. Not only will you be the best dressed gal at the party, but everyone will hear you coming from a mile away. I styled it with a vintage silk cream top with a spiky texture (available to rent on BARO) which gives the illusion that I am tough and signals my parent’s weird friends to not speak to me for longer than necessary.
3. Demand an entrance!
Work holiday parties are strange because you’re expected to get drunk with your coworkers while also maintaining a certain level of professionalism. They’re also strange because one second you’re talking about end of year reports and the next second DMX is performing on a makeshift stage next to a fake palm tree. That’s a true story. And while you may be unclear of how to act at these functions, you don’t need to feel unclear of how to dress! If I were to go back in time to that fateful night in 2017, I would have worn this very holiday appropriate vintage red top (available to rent on BARO) styled with—not one–but two (!) skirts layered on top of each other. Your coworkers have never seen anything like this before!