Timeless Holiday Staples To Invest In For Every Kind of Partygoer

With the holiday season packed with festivities, whether its New Year celebrations or Christmas parties with family, friends and co-workers, shopping for our outfits can get quite pricey. The last thing anybody wants to do is spend their budget on festive holiday clothing every year (it’s not like we have a million other people to buy gifts for or anything). Evidently, the only way to restrain from indulging in these yearly opulent purchases is to build a holiday capsule wardrobe consisting of timeless and versatile staples that can be worn to any type of party–and reworn for decades to come. We consulted with Cityline and Breakfast Television fashion expert Tania Tonello, who “[knows] every GTA mall too well,” about what holiday staples are worth investing in this season.

Tonello is dedicated to “breathing new life into [her] clients’ wardrobes [by] looking for creative ways to style the pieces they already own.” When she is not hosting fashion segments on TV (she covers everything from trends, DIY fashion and styling hacks), she provides image consulting, personal shopping and styling experiences to her clients. 

When it comes to dictating what key wardrobe pieces to invest in for the holiday season, Tania explains that “it’s really important to start with someone’s lifestyle” and asking yourself what your holiday looks like. If you are the type of person who celebrates at home, goes to parties, or attends more formal events, the staples you invest in are going to be different. Luckily, Tania has recommendations for just about any type of partygoer.

A Quality Loungewear Set

According to Tania, “a quality lounge set is an absolute must” and something she is going to be wearing all season. This set from Roots is perfect for anyone who has more downtime this holiday and is looking to celebrate intimately at home with family or friends. Matching loungewear sets make you appear put together while still being comfortable and super casual. However, if you want to look more dressed up and festive, you can easily layer the set with a printed overcoat or oversized cardigan (Tania loves houndstooth because it’s “super fun for the season!”), or some of her must-have holiday accessories: a crystal and velvet headband from Revelle and a classic beret from Simons. 

A Cosy Skirt Set

This jacquard skirt set from RW&CO. is “a timeless print and fit” and “perfect for when you’re going to other people’s homes and holiday parties.” Whether the memo is business casual or formal, “the styling options are pretty much endless.” For a more casual party, you can style the sweater with leather trousers from Nordstrom, and for a dressier formal event, wear the set as is, or pair it with “a crisp white blouse or a sexier black top” from Aritzia. (Psst! When shopping in-store at Aritzia, don’t forget to visit the newly expanded boutique at Yorkdale now featuring the A-OK Café). 

A Buffalo Plaid Button-Up

When considering timeless holiday trends, the first thing that popped into Tania’s head was buffalo plaid, “I know we sometimes see cheesy family photos with everyone and their dog in plaid, but [it totally screams holiday].” She prefers wearing buffalo plaid as a button-up because there are so many ways to style it and dress it up or down. For casual festivities, “you can wear it open with a shirt, and denim underneath” (Hollister has some great options), and for fancier celebrations, you can tuck the buffalo plaid into a black leather mini skirt from The Bay. 

A Little Black Dress

According to Tania, everyone needs a little black dress, and she recommends this one from Ted Baker because it is “complementary to many body shapes and heights.” Not only is a black dress “super timeless and a great quality piece worth investing in for the holidays” but it is probably the most versatile. “It’s like starting with that painter’s canvas; there’s just so much you can do with it.” Tania’s favourite thing about wearing a black dress during the holidays are all the embellishments that can be added onto it to make it fun and festive, “whether it’s a broach, a necklace or even a belt.” She continues that it’s great to play around with colourful and printed cardigans and hosiery, adding that “sequence, faux fur and velvet [are also] fun to break out this time of year. 

Although the holiday season comprises of various timeless staples, Tania wants her viewers, clients, and friends and family to know that holiday trends don’t need to be followed to the T. It’s far more important to have fun with your clothes, take fashion risks, and “[wear] pieces that make you feel beautiful and confident.” She concludes that, “It’s been a really challenging few years and we deserve to feel good in our skin and the clothes we’re in.” –Christina Armanious