It's Saturday night and you have plans to meet up with a few friends to see your favorite musician/band play at a local bar. What do you wear?

The outfit to the left is what I call "evening casual." It's a good starting off point when you want to look nice to go out, but the event itself is somewhat casual. Start with a pair of dark denim in your favorite fit. When choosing dark denim for evening, choose a blue with some grey in it. Brighter blues work best for day. 

Next, add a statement piece. A sequin tank is an easy option because you can skip the jewelry and still have some sparkle. Apply a nail polish in the same hue as your top to add a pop to your fingers.

To avoid looking like a disco ball, layer on a tailored blazer. Wear unbuttoned and roll up the cuffs to maintain the relaxed vibe of your outfit. While a cardigan may feel more casual than a blazer, evening is all about great structured pieces that create your optimal silhouette. 

Add a great wedge or ankle bootie and throw on a cross- body bag so that your hands are free to hold your drink and to clap. I chose brown accessories to contrast against the black blazer because mixing dark neutrals creates an unexpected, but still sophisticated palette.

Those of you who follow me on Polyvore or Twitter may recognize this outfit (which I created last month), but I wanted to repost it because it is a great example of a January outfit. The holidays are full of sparkle and fancy dress occasions and the dreary cold of the new year can be a bit of a let down. This look combines a bit of fun and whimsy with practical warmth and comfort.

First off, the practical part of this outfit. It combines (nearly) flat ankle boots so you can maneuver through the slush, two warm layers (the leather jacket and the sweater), and denim (which is always a weekend essential). 

However, this outfit is more interesting than your run-of-the-mill sweater and jeans combo. The bold graphic on the sweater works well because there are not bright colors battling for attention. This makes it feel clean and modern and lets you bring in a great hue in the jacket. The clean lines of the jacket add a dash of polish, without making you look overdressed for your weekend activities. An asymmetrical jacket works well because it gives the structure of a blazer without feeling like work clothes.

What are your go-to weekend pieces when you want to feel casually chic? Let me know in the comments!

Need to catch up on the 12 Days of Holiday Parties outfit series? Past posts can be found here. New outfits will be posted daily until New Year's Eve, so check back here for daily inspiration.

The outfit:
Dark wash, bootcut denim, a grey sequin tank, a grey ruffle cardigan, and a bright pink scarf. Pair with metallic ballet flats or riding boots.

Where to wear it:
To happy hour at your local bar, to a casual holiday get- together, or to exchange gifts over lunch with your friends.

Why it works:
The grey tank and cardigan are a fun twist on the traditional twinset and add visual interest without overwhelming the eye. When mixing bold textures such as sequins and ruffles, the key is to keep the colors neutral and similar. However, to avoid a boring, monochromatic outfit, I added a bright pop with the scarf.

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!