5 Unconventional Holiday Outfit Ideas You’ve Never Thought Of Trying

If you were to search “festive attire,” you’re all but guaranteed to be served with an onslaught of retina-searing looks: dresses festooned with glitter, sequins, or some other type of light-refracting, tinsel-like material, all styled with equally sparkly accoutrements. The consensus is this: When it comes to the holidays, any form of sartorial restraint is out, and all-out maximalism is in. 

And after two years of hitting pause on joyful get-togethers or general merriment, it’s in our every right to make this season our time to shine — figuratively speaking, that is. Because when everyone has the exact same thought, what was a glittery, special-occasion outfit all of a sudden feels rather...lackluster. To defy expectations and flip the definition of “holiday dressing” on its head, we partnered with Lucky Brand to bring you five unconventional holiday looks (with nary a single sequin in sight) that spotlights teddy coats, enveloping coatigans (a clever portmanteau of coat and cardigan), and cute cardigan sets. Click through to take a look. 

When you have a jacket as fluffy as this — essentially a blanket in outerwear form — the only option, really, is to treat it like the star piece by paring back everything else, like a classic slip dress (with the option for ruching), hoops, and wear-everywhere boots. 


Lucky Brand Trucker Teddy Jacket, $, available at Lucky Brand

SVNR Vee Maxi Slip Dress, $, available at SVNR

Annika Inez Glassy Hoops, $, available at T.A.

Nomasei White Pompeii Boots, $, available at Nomasei

Lean into the I-wish-I-hadn’t-left-bed vibe with a pajama set and a robe-style coatigan (that’s coat and cardigan), elevated by a neutral color palette and sculptural add-ons. 

Lucky Brand Fairisle Sweater Coatigan, $, available at Lucky Brand

Olivia von Halle Coco piped silk-satin pajama set, $, available at Neiman Marcus

Faris Aero Hoops Large, $, available at Faris

Yuni Buffa Castrise Heel, $, available at Yuni Buffa

Double (or triple?) down on knits with an unexpected look that makes a strong case for soft silhouettes (an eye-catching cardigan set and no hard pants) from now until 2022. Eschew heels while you’re at it with a pair of darling ballet flats. 


Lucky Brand Beaded Cardigan, $, available at Lucky Brand

Zara Wide Leg Knit Pants, $, available at Zara

Deborah Pagani Large Gold Plated Hair Pin, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Pêche Ballet Flats, $, available at Pêche

Nothing speaks to your sartorial savvy more than taking an everyday staple like a beloved pair of high-waist denim and transforming it into a fete-appropriate ‘fit. Case in point: styling them with a cutout top, versatile earrings, and super-sleek boots.


Lucky Brand Drew Mom Jean, $, available at Lucky Brand

Kotn Offset Shoulder Top, $, available at Kotn

Senia Infinity earrings, $, available at Senia

Emme Parsons Julien Boot, $, available at Emme Parsons

Play up the pinks and whites in this cozy sherpa half-zip pullover with a diaphanous, crinkled satin cream-colored skirt, over-the-knee boots, and pink marble earrings. The result: a peppermint swirl candy vision.  

Lucky Brand Sherpa Half Zip Pullover, $, available at Lucky Brand

Vince Crinkled satin-devoré midi skirt, $, available at Net-A-Porter

Lizzie Fortunato Baroque Earrings in Pink Marble, $, available at Lizzie Fortunato

Brother Vellies Ronstadt Boot in Ivory, $, available at Brother Vellies

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?