A Holiday Outfit For The Chronically Cold…At Philly’s Magic Gardens

Ever since Megan sent in a pic of herself rocking a dress over pants….I’ve been scheming.  I figured – HEY!  I have cocktail dresses.  I have pants.  Why….not….put them together in some kind holiday mash-up and come up with something festive and warm?   RIGHT????

Well.  My initial attempts were total failures.  You know when you run into a dressing room and don’t feel like trying anything on but know you should?  So you just throw the dress over your head – leaving your jeans on – and then kinda squint into the mirror, balancing on your tiptoes all, “if I were in heels….and wearing spanx…” Yes?  All of my earlier attempts looked like that.  Like I was trying a dress on in a hurry, then forgot to take off my pants.

For the record, flare jeans and heels worked a little better than my trusty light-wash skinnies (and either type of jeans worked with a casual dress – see this old 2012 article for an example of a dress over flares)….but with an actual cocktail dress?  No.

My “epiphany” came (wow – that’s dramatic) while perusing Nordstrom’s selection of holiday denim.  I was surprised by the number of….let’s call ’em fancy pants.  There’s a whole host of patterned, textured, and otherwise very lux-looking jeans that are making my heart beat fast.  And while they’re perfect for dressing up a sweater….while browsing around….Trixie. Realized. Something*.

As it turns out, all my cocktail dresses needed was a pair of fancy pants.

Not warm enough?  Me neither.  So say hello to turtleneck.  #fistpump

These pics were taken in Philly’s Magic Gardens.  The place is aptly named.  It’s one of our fav places to wander around on a chilly Fall day (bring coffees and hot chocolate).   On Sundays, they often host little art workshops – called ‘family jams‘ for kids.  It’s not huge, but has some seriously cool passageways to explore, and a little courtyard for sitting.

(photo credits:  Mike Draugelis)

 wearing:

dress: ancient (pre baby days) Missoni dress…but for a similar vibe, try this Lush bodycon dress, or this Gypsy05 sleeveless minidress or even Young, Fabulous and Broke’s Clancy dress

sweater: Waffle Knit Cashmere (oh dear god it’s so expensive – I bought it during the anni sale….try this Vince Camuto oversized turtleneck sweater, or Joie’s swingy turtleneck sweater, or even this cozy boucle poncho by Chelsea 28.)

jeans: Hudson Nico Super Skinny Jeans in Anarchy Pinstripe

boots: old, but I love these Jessica Simpson booties.

necklace: ancient, but Anne Klein’s crystal chain necklace would do the trick

clutch: vintage, but Rebecca Minkoff’s Leo Envelope Clutch is beyond cool, and what I wish I was carrying.

sunnies: Classic Ray-bans

unmentionables: Spanx (in the spirit of full disclosure)

To Recreate:

1.  Faux Fur Infinity Scarf | Missoni Knit Tank Dress | 7 For All Mankind Pieced Skinny Jeans in Gray Floral Shantung |  Halogen Patent Leather Clutch

2. Topshop Sweater Dress | Joe’s Mid-Rise Skinnies in Winter White Plaid (40% OFF!!) | Natasha Couture Crystal Clutch

3. Topshop Twist Front Faux Fur Scarf | Felicity & Coco Metallic Textured Knit Sheath Dress |  Paige Verdugo Ultra Skinnies in Cleo Embellished  | Jessica McClintock Tweed Clutch

4. Topshop High Neck Geo Print Dress | Paige Verdugo Ultra Skinnies in Pewter Crackle | Mickey London Beaded Clutch

Thoughts?  Tempted to try the dress-over-pants thing?

xo,

S

A huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!  As always, all thoughts, opinions,  product choices, article direction and blatant stealing of ideas from my readers (thanks again Megan!!) are my own.

*Anyone catch the Knuffle Bunny reference?  It’s been on repeat (and repeat and repeat and repeat) over here.  Pax just realized that there are TWO sequels to the original and they are now TAKING OVER MY LIFE.