12 days of holiday parties: lace and stripes

Happy Boxing Day! Need to catch up on the 12 Days of Holiday Parties outfit series? Past posts can be found here and new outfits for every event and dress code will be posted daily until New Year's Eve.

One holiday tradition I loved as a kid was the annual cookie decorating party thrown by a family friend on Boxing Day. I spent the entire day with the other kids at the kitchen table adding sprinkles and red hots to freshly baked sugar cookies while our parents sipped hot cider and ate our creations in the living room. This outfit is inspired by that memory.

The outfit:
I tucked a striped tee into a burgundy lace pencil skirt and added a skinny gold belt for accent. Pair with ballet flats or riding boots with tights, depending on your local weather.

Where to wear it:
This is great for an event with an unclear dress code when you're pretty sure that it is a casual event, but don't want to show up and be the only person in jeans. Even though cookie decorating may sound like a messy affair, at the cookie parties of my youth most of the adults wore this type of upgraded casual outfit. Even if there is an activity planned, chances are most of your time will be spent socializing, so you should follow the same dress code as any other holiday open house.

Why it works:
The pop of pink at the neck plays off the deep burgundy color of the skirt, adding to the whimsy of pattern mixing. (It is hard to see in the photo, but the skirt is a floral lace.) By minimizing the accessories, the outfit feels light so as long as you wear flat shoes, you will not look overdressed. Not quite convinced? Think of the skirt as an upgraded version of colored corduroys and remember that a host will always appreciate you making an effort to look nice. After all, they put a lot of work into making their party fun for you!