Dress it Down: What to Wear for A Chill New Year’s and Valentine’s Day

I seriously wanna dress it down this year. I’m just feeling low key. In past years I’ve reported on fancy fare in fashion, and other formal, less practical presentations, like couture hats and jewelry. But honestly, this year for the holidays, I’m going to dress it down. If you too want to keep it casual while looking festive this year and into 2026, take my lead with these fashionable solutions, one for each holiday, that will keep you looking stylish…not stilted.

New Year’s Sparkle. Sequins are really big in fashion right now and the whole jeweled dress is a notion that I can really get behind. In fact, I think these adornments in dressing are long overdue. And I want to see sequins more in the mainstream, especially in black and silver. Not a fan of garish colors or brassy gold. Black and silver sequins, or clear sequins, on the other hand, really shine, quite literally!

The newer, more casual garments adorned with sequins are what I’m channeling now. For example, instead of a glitzy New Year’s sequined dress, I love just a simple tee covered with silver sequins and worn with metallic jeans for a dressed-down New Year’s. Or if you’ve got the bod, slip into some black opaque tights with sequined hot pants and a cropped jacket. Too cute.

Valentine’s-Themed Sweaters. Is it just me, or are Christmas-themed sweaters hella tacky? And yet, the Valentine’s sweater has emerged as a must-have garment in every girl’s wardrobe! Ain’t that a kick in the tights? And speaking of tights, I love the Valentine tights at Viken, below, worn with the aforementioned sweater.

Skirt is optional! Remember: tights are the new legging. And you can get your themed Valentine sweaters cheap at Target or Walmart, or even online. These are my uniforms for New Year’s and Valentine’s this year, and my way of keeping it chill for the holidays!