Ten Outfit Ideas For Every Type of Holiday Celebration
By Bailey Stefan-Houle
I’m officially on a no-buy December after spending all of my money on gifts for my friends and family, but here’s what I would buy myself if I was looking for a fresh new look for the holidays.
Whether you’re looking for a little style inspiration so you can shop your own closet like me, or you’re looking to get yourself a Christmas present (or you’re looking to send this list to your friends and family as a little hint hint), here are some outfit ideas for perhaps not every holiday celebration (we missed Chanukah with this issue) or activity, but for at least ten.
Sixty-OneTen is not affiliated with any of the shops mentioned. We do not receive any money if you choose to treat yourself to an outfit or two. We just like supporting local and Canadian companies!
1. Outdoors and on the move
Hitting up one of Alberta’s many hills, lakes, and mountains for a day of fun? Whether you’re skiing, tubing, or skating, here's how to stay warm and look cool.
SixtyOneTen tip: Make sure your winter jacket is waterproof BEFORE you hit the hill.
A good quality winter jacket is a must for any outdoor activity. Check our Edmonton favourite Glam Slam for some lightweight added warmth.
Here at Sixty-OneTen, we try to avoid recommending big box stores, but sometimes they’re the easiest option to find good quality parkas. You can usually find a good coat in your budget at Canadian staple SportChek.
I know it, you know it, Canada gets cold. Real cold. That’s why you need a pair of fleece mittens that will keep your fingers insulated (and can have a hand warmer snuck inside to hold when you want to be extra toasty). Check out these mittens from Calgary’s Twenty Seven Boutique’s in-house label!
Last but not least, you need a good pair of winter boots that will keep your feet both warm and firmly on the ground. Look for fur-lined, water-proof, and good grip when searching for your perfect winter boot — such as this pair from Gravity Pope.
2. Hitting up Candy Cane Lane
You’ll need a good quality coat and a hefty scarf to stay warm while you sip hot chocolate and look at all the Christmas lights at this YEG holiday favourite.
This rust coat will carry you through every event you have this year where you want to look a little more put together than a parka but still want to stay warm as you venture outside (or go from your house to your car to the event space).
Sixty-OneTen tip: Wear this coat (or one similar) with your office party look!
Stay cozy with a soft scarf like this one from Edmonton’s 124 Street mainstay Shades of Grey Boutique.
A good toque will carry you from the first chilly wind of November all the way to slushy March. Keep your ears warm with a cozy toque like this one from Calgary’s Purr Clothing.
3. An evening at the theatre
December is prime time to head to your local theatre. Whether you’re watching a classic like The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, or you’re supporting local plays like Jason Kenney’s Hot Boy Summer, celebrate your return to live performance with a killer pantsuit.
Left: Hilary MacMillan Oversized Plaid Blazer from The Curvy Shop. $279.79.
Right: Hilary MacMillan Plaid Wide Leg Pant from The Curvy Shop. $229.97. Photos taken from shopthecurvy.com.
Do you know what the best part of a pantsuit, like this The Curvy Shop look, is? It’s the fact that you can wear each piece separately or together. The outfit options are endless.
Pair your pantsuit with a lace-lined cami, like this gorgeous number from Shades of Grey Boutique, for a subtly sexy look.
Or dress it down with a fun festive shirt celebrating one of your favourite Christmas movies like this Elf shirt from The Skinny.
Sixty-OneTen tip: Pair this with sweats, leggings, or PJ bottoms for a relaxing look all winter long.
4. Office Christmas party
So you’re heading to the first in-person get-together at work in nearly two years and you need something to wear. Dress to impress with a velvet dress, complete with some sweet earrings from one of the Indigenous artists featured in our November issue.
You deserve to look and feel good. This dress from Edmonton-based Workhall Studio is both stretchy and sleek, with a flattering cut for every body-type. Wear it by itself or accentuate your waist even more with a belt.
Okay, hear me out. I know $129 is a lot of money for a pair of tights but SheerTex tights are engineered to resist all the ripping, running, and rubbing that regular $8 tights go through. Plus they’re warm.
I am a lover of open-toe shoes, but with our Alberta weather you need something closed-toed. These Poppy-Barley mules are perfect for use all year round and can easily be transitioned from party-mode to office-mode come Monday morning.
Sixty-OneTen tip: Wear these cute mules all season long — heck they’ll carry you through spring, summer, and fall too!
Stay safe and add a little pop of colour with a cute mask from Hideout Distro. Hideout Distro is an Edmonton-local shop full of adorable knick knacks made by local makers from across Alberta and Western Canada, and this mask by NX Handmade is no exception.
No, I will not shut up about how cute these strawberry earrings from Indijah Bead are. Yes, you need a pair. Be the talk of the party with these Indigenous made beauties — or check out some of the other artists featured last month for more options!
5. Opening gifts
PJs are the way to go for watching your friends and family open all the awesome gifts you got them — plus open a few of your own. I’m personally hoping one of my gifts meows this year. A girl can dream, right?
Tucked or untucked, a matching PJ set is the perfect way to look cute year round. This one from The Skinny is subtly festive with the muted red and cream stripes, but inconspicuous enough to wear on Valentine’s Day too.
Or, if novelty PJs are more your speed, Lazy One is a Canadian company who specializes in adorable onesies for both children and adults. You can match with your entire family! It’s always fun to break out the Christmas PJs once a year!
6. Christmas Dinner
Whether you’re having turkey, ham, fish, or pizza, we deserve to look good and feel comfy while doing so. We’re just with our family today so let’s keep it classy and casual with a tried and true classic — jeans and a nice top.
Levi’s are a tried-and-true brand of quality denim. Support local by purchasing your Levi’s from a local shop like Glam Slam Clothing instead of ordering online this December. You’ll get them a lot quicker AND you can try them on before you commit.
You can’t go wrong with a classic blouse to keep it wearable year long, but classy enough for Grandma to not give you the stink-eye across the table. This comfy blouse by SUKA from Hideout Distro is perfect for your family dinner — trust me, this blouse was a Boxing Day 2020 purchase for me and it’s since become one of my favourite tops. Live out your Harry Styles dreams with these killer sleeves.
Keep it cheeky with a pair of novelty socks like these Christmas lights socks from Purr Clothing.
7. Boxing Day shopping
A good outfit for a day of shopping during those Boxing Day sales requires a hearty pair of shoes, a jacket light enough to not make you die of heat exhaustion, and a good quality mask to keep those post holiday-gathering germs at bay.
Girlfriend Collective is admittedly an American company, but their leggings are well-made and crafted from recycled water bottles. Head to The Skinny and invest in a pair of these sustainably-made leggings that will serve you from your shopping trip to the yoga mat to just hanging out around the house.
Leave the jacket in the car and hit the stores in a double layered hoodie from Emmy Deveaux to avoid overheating and having to carry your bulky winter coat.
New Balance 327 from Gravity Pope. $115.00. Photo taken from gravitypope.com.
You can’t go wrong with a trusty sneaker for a day of shopping. Gravity Pope carries sneakers in a variety of styles, including these killer New Balances.
8. Boxing Day movie marathon
Let’s be honest. None of us are actually going to the mall to hit up the sales. Here’s what I’ll be wearing to marathon every single Indiana Jones film — no cute Christmas PJs here.
Left: Sweatshirt with Vertical Seam Detail from Adorn Boutique. $115.00.
Right: Soft Tailored Modal Joggers from Adorn Boutique. $155.00.
Photos taken from adornboutique.ca.
Sweatsuits were a huge trend back in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Canada. This is one trend I can get behind and hope to continue wearing for the rest of my life, like this one from Adorn Boutique. Cozy, cute, and comfy. What more do you need for a day watching movies with your loved ones?
9. World Juniors
The World Juniors are in Alberta this year baby! Whether you have tickets to the games or you’re watching at home, here’s what to wear to look cute and cheer Canada on.
Here’s a bonus — you can wear your Team Canada gear again in February to cheer on both our men’s and women’s teams at the Winter Olympics! Replicas are available from major outlets across Canada, such as Pro Hockey Life and SportChek.
Are you more into keeping your gear on the nonchalant side, but still want to support the team? Check out these socks by What She Said Creatives from The Maker’s Keep.
10. New Year’s Eve
It’s been a wild two years (!!) of the pandemic. Last year we were all locked down in our jammies to ring in 2021 so why not dress up a little this year to ring in 2022? Here’s hoping it’s a good one!
I’m talking sequins, baby! I’m a huge sequins fan and I think everyone needs a sequin something in their closets. If you’re only going to wear it once, why not make it New Year’s Eve? I know I’m hitting add to cart for this fit from Calgary’s Adorn Boutique and knowing me, I’ll be rocking it all year long.
Sparkle not quite your speed? Understandable. Look equally chic in a little faux leather number like this one from Calgary’s The Curvy Shop.
Look extra festive and support an Indigenous business as you count down to 2022 with these luminescent beauties from Indi City. (They also come in blue).
