Presto, Chango! Holiday Looks! | Advice

I had originally wanted to make a post of all my favorite budget friendly festive looks that I was eyeing up but, then it occurred to me that during the holiday season it may not be in everyone's budget to purchase an entirely new outfit for one day. The truest form of a budget friendly holiday look would be to pull everything from one's own closet. So, if you are looking to limit the amount of spending you do on yourself or if you're a hardcore Christmas nerd like me and listen to Christmas music all month long and dress thematically every day in December, here are my tips for putting together holiday looks from your own closet.

When selecting pieces think about what evokes the holiday spirit. Green and red and plaid are obvious choices. They are classic and cozy and perfect for Christmas merriment. But, also consider fabric choice. Luxurious fabrics like velvet, satin, and lace have a special quality about them that reflects the "only once a year" element to the holidays. I also found myself drawn to simple, graphic prints like stripes and polka dots. They have a vintage charm that matches the nostalgic bygone feelings of Christmas. And never forget your sparkle and shine!

Sidenote: Does anyone else remember that Disney Channel movie where Tyra Banks plays a barbie doll turned human? I cannot think about sparkles without saying, "I've got you now, Miss Sparkle and Shine!"

I imagine this look as a casual Christmas morning look for the classic over-dresser. It's cozy with a little uniqueness and perfect for sitting around a tree sipping eggnog and opening presents.

For a fancier party, maybe Christmas Eve, pairing a nice lace dress with sparkly accessories and a red or green cardigan (blazer would work too) makes the perfect outfit. You could also make this dress work for other holidays by switching up the color of the top. Anything with sheen would be an excellent choice.

Christmas is not the only holiday that we celebrate in December, as there are many important days this season. While you can wear this for a Christmas celebration, ditching the red and green gives you a look that is perfect for any festivities this month. This jaqaurd fabric skirt with metallic thread is great for the winter and for any holidays that you may be partaking in. I wore this particular outfit on my birthday which, for us, is one of the many special events in December. But, I could also see this as a New Year's Eve outfit because the tight miniskirt is definitely good for a night out.

Yes, this was my SIA outfit but, I felt it deserved a spot in this post because it is my favorite "shop your closet" holiday look. I would definitely wear this black top and skirt any day of the year as a chic, vintage-inspired outfit but when I added the bow belt and layered the embellished tank under the black shirt it transformed into an outfit that screamed "HOLIDAY!" without any obvious motifs or colors. There is a fancy element in the full skirt and sparkles but, it's also modest making it work for several kinds of events and holidays. This kind of outfit really shows what shopping your closet is about. It's using your resources creatively and making your clothes transcend seasons and occasions. When you do this, you can expand your wardrobe exponentially without spending a dime.

If you have any of your own tips for shopping your closet or any holiday looks that you created with things you already owned I would love to hear about them in the comments!