Despite loving my jeans and sneakers and all things casual, I do actually enjoy a little dressing up now and then — especially this time of year (Shana is just now starting to believe me on this). Dressing up, to me, usually means something leather (real or faux) and I popped into Nordstrom the other day and found just that: cute faux-leather pants & jeans, some rad skirts, and a few lacy and shimmery pieces to mix-in for good measure. A friend of mine has a fun holiday party every year, and I always look forward to figuring out what I’m gonna wear. Last year it was a faux leather jumpsuit with a lacy top. This year…let’s see!

(Pssst…when you’re done with this one, head over to our Holiday Style Central for more outfit ideas and party inspo.)

Tough Girl Outfit Ideas: Holiday Party Edition

Faux Leather Leggings & Coated Jeans

1. Free People Kaelin Faux Leather Moto Skinny Leggings

These are killer. Spoiler alert: I brought them home. I swear they don’t photograph as well as they feel IRL. They have great stretch, great details, and they aren’t too long! For this 5’4″ gal that made them a winner right off the bat. Too many times I’ve had to tuck under, tape up, etc., my faux and leather pants, and it’s just not the same, y’all. I LOVE love this lacy top underneath the cami, too, (it comes with). To glam this up for the party, I’ll add sparkly earrings and probably my red metallic boots and top it off with my fav faux fur jacket in a pretty camel color.

sheer top (s) // cami-runs small (s) // pants (6) // shoes

And because we don’t want closet one-trick-ponies, here’s how I’d style these for everyday. Actually, I wore them like this Saturday!

sweater-omg new fav (m) // pants (6) // sneakers

2. PAIGE Talita Zip Ultra Skinny Coated Jeans

These are also a good find. I was enamored by the pair above when I was in the store, but looking at these now, they’re a really solid choice and even more flattering than I realized. They’re also a nice shorter length (my guess is about a 26″ inseam-ish). I love the zipper details at the hips and the front slit, which seems more flattering than the side slits that others I’m seeing have. You get that peek of skin at the ankle, and it shows off pretty shoes even better. Love these!

And PAIGE makes some of the best coated jeans around: thick enough to flatter and yet still featuring great stretch.

top (s) or this one // jeans (28) // shoes

3. AG Mari Coated Slim Straight

These are nice substantial coated jeans, too, with the high quality of AG. Love the exposed button fly on these and the material. BUT they’re too long and would require some hemming, which I always seem to shy away from on coated denim. I have seen raw hem coated denim out there, but am not sure if I’m up for DIY-ing that like I am with regular denim. Have y’all tried that by chance? These fit beautifully though otherwise, and I like the straight leg cut on them.

sheer top (s) // cami-runs small (s) // jeans (28) // shoes

4. Levi’s Snake Embossed Faux Leather Jeans

I ordered these to the house and I saw them at Nordstrom the other day, too, so I thought I’d check them out. I love the fit and the length and the embossed print, but I feel like shiny pants are WAY less forgiving and show Every. Single. Fold and Wrinkle. They’re honestly better IRL, but still a bit too shiny for me. At $98 they’re definitely the most reasonable of the bunch, though.

Maybe if I went up two sizes they’d pull less, but honestly, they felt like the right fit. This is an ongoing problem I have with faux leather and coated denim. I think that’s why I was so happy with the more matte Free People pants above.

sweater-omg new fav *sustainable pick* (m) // jeans (28) // shoes

Killer Jackets

1. AllSaints Moto Jacket

I’ve had an AllSaints jacket in the Bales style for years now and adore it. I’ve recently been wanting to snag a classic moto style with the belt, as well. They didn’t have that in-store in my size, but this one, the Daley, is amazing too if you don’t want the extra addition of the belt. If you do, here’s the Balfern online. Don’t be swayed by how it looks stiff and boxy on the model, IRL it’s buttery soft and amazing.

Here I’m wearing a US 4 in the Daley and it fits like a glove over a thin blouse. I’ll size up to the US 6 though, the same as I have in the Bales. It fits beautifully over regular weight sweaters and has stretched just enough over the years to be super comfy on me.

jacket (US4) // blouse (s) // pants (6) // shoes

2. Topshop Faux Snake

This jacket is really rad, but a little stiff. They didn’t have my size (US 6) in-store either, so the 8 looks pretty boxy on me. It’s a reasonable choice at $100 and comes in a GORGEOUS burgundy shade, too. I think in the right size this is a rad addition to any closet.

The jeans I have on here are from FRAME, and I didn’t love them. They looked OK on the hanger, but though they’re soft and comfy, the chewed hem was just weird and too stretchy. I typically like Frame jeans, but I’d skip these.

jacket (US 8 but too big) // turtleneck (s) // jeans (28) // shoes

3. Topshop Leopard Faux Fur

This cute little jacket is amazing. So soft, and I love the cropped/shrunken fit. I think that can be more flattering when it’s such a ‘puffy’ material. This is a seriously cozy upgrade to any date night outfit.

jacket (s) // sheer top (s) // cami-runs small (s) // pants (6)

…And A Couple Of Cool Skirts

1. Box Pleat Flowy Maxi Skirt

This skirt was super cute, and I like it styled with some tougher pieces. Obviously, I liked the cami over sheer top option because I kept wearing it with everything. I’d also like this skirt with a pretty sweater, moto jacket, and a fun ankle boot in maybe leopard or metallic. This skirt is nice and flowy and would be an all-season choice.

sheer top (s) // cami-runs small (s) // skirt (s) // shoes

2. Box Pleat Faux Leather Maxi

This skirt looks rad, but a little heavy and fits very small. I preferred the drape and lines of the flowy skirt above on me. The length here makes this look heavy. I’m wearing a US 6 here, but it’s not all the way zipped. Definitely size up if you want to try this out.

turtleneck (s) // skirt – runs small (6) // shoes

Shop Tough Girl Holiday Outfit Ideas

Shop Party Shoes To Go With ‘Em

Do y’all have any fun holiday events coming up? What do you love to wear to be festive this time of year? And I’m not talking ugly Christmas sweaters…haha. Though I do love this one…For more fall, winter & holiday outfit #DressingRoomSelfies (plus Black Friday Shopping Tips, head over here).

Happy Holidays, friends!

xo,

L

Check out the latest in my world over at @laurajansenstyle and join us in our everyday adventuring around Portland, Oregon. If you want to shop my current pieces I’m loving and wearing, head over to My Closet!