First, a backstory: Back in 2011 I did a "Dream Outfit" for what I'd wear to the Christmas Tree Farm for our Christmas Tree hunt. It featured a really fun Stella McCartney polar bear sweater, red coat, suede leggings and boots. Being a dream outfit, I never imagined I would own it. However, in 2013 I was able to buy the Stella McCartney sweater from The Outnet for $229 (vs $1145) in their Summer sale and it has been a holiday season staple ever since. I love that it will never really go out of style because it's a statement piece.

Fast forward to this past weekend and visiting Marijane Boutique in Guilford. Lydia works there so I've been meaning to visit for over a year - whoops! Christian and I decided to visit a little farm store in Guilford so I figured it would be smart to kill two birds with one stone and stop by after. The store is on a super cute street on the green and is filled with all types of treasures. As I was going through the coat rack I stumbled upon a holy grail - a Burberry wool coat! It was red and very similar to the coat I used in the dream outfit. I actually think I had this coat on my wish list years ago but never bought it because of the price tag. Based on my research it was either $795 or $995 retail, I snagged it for $230 at Marijane Boutique and it is in perfect condition!

Of course the first thing I paired my new bright red Burberry toggle coat with was the Stella McCartney polar bear sweater! Dreams really do come true, especially for those who wait. 11 years later and I was finally able to pull it off! I don't have a red hat yet, but maybe I'll find one. I decided to break out my beloved Chanel for the occasion. Why not feel super fancy for the day, right?! It's crazy to think that this bag has at least doubled in value since 2012 - yikes!

Coat: Burberry Brit Wool Minstead Duffle Coat In Military Red (Marijane Boutique)

Polar Bear Sweater: Stella McCartney 'Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater' - similar version (The Outnet)

Leggings: old 

Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop 

Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (Madison Avenue Couture) 

 

I love a good holiday themed sweater. When Christian and I were visiting his family in Missouri for a couple weeks I needed a bit of "home" so we ran into Marshalls for a quick walk-through one afternoon. We weren't intending on buying anything but the men's section had some great simple not-ugly Christmas sweaters. Christian got a half-zip one with polar bears and I got this one (the only one that they had in a small, haha!)

 

Funnily enough, the main pieces of this outfit are all from Marshall's. The bag and sunglasses are not. I haven't worn these boots in a while. Partly because I haven't really had an occasion and also because the insole is crumpled up so I feel the wrinkle on my foot, haha! I guess that's why they ended up at Marshalls years ago, a small but annoying glue defect. But I deal with it because they're gorgeous.

Sweater: Aspen reindeer Christmas sweater (Marshalls, men's department)

Jeans: Mother Denim 'The Rascal' c/o Marshalls

Boots: Gianvito Rossi 'Finlay' lace-up boot (Marshalls)

Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop    

It's Christmas Eve Eve and I still haven't decided what I'm wearing for all our Christmas celebrations. Now that we're all vaxxed and boosted we're having a more "normal" Christmas this year with a Christmas Eve celebration at my parents and Christmas Day at Grandmas. 

I thought I would take a glance back at old Christmas looks to see if they spark some inspiration.

Christmas 2019

Christmas 2018

Christmas 2017

Christmas Eve 2017

Christmas 2016

Christmas Eve 2016

Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve 2015

Christmas Eve 2014

Christmas Eve 2013

Sadly I only have photos of my Christmas Eve outfit this year because Christian and I forgot to take photos on Christmas in all the craziness, whoops!  We had a bit of a wild end to 2019 so there aren't as many outfit photos to share as I would like. Might be a little slow on here while we get back into the swing of things! (Darn regular jobs getting in the way of hobbies!)

Striped Top: Splendid 'Duke' striped pullover c/o Shopbop (shop more Splendid), Leather Skirt: Sienna Style (Coco's on the Green, shop more leather skirts), Leopard Pumps: Cole Haan 'Chelsea' Ocelot Print Pump (Roundabout), Tights c/o Wolford Merino Tights

This is my 7th Christmas season with this sweater and my love for it has not lessened one bit. I still wear it multiple times through the holiday season (and after too) and don't see myself stopping any time soon.

I originally posted it as a "Dream" outfit in 2011 and bought it in The Outnet's clearance sale in 2013 for $229 (regular $1075, yowza!) Even if I only wore it twice a year, that still brings the cost per wear down to about $16, pretty good! But I'm sure I've worn it more than 14 times over these past 7 years. 

It's hard to style in different ways so I don't post it on the blog too often, but for this look I wore it with some studded leggings and over the knee boots. Hidden under my boots are some red and green striped socks that have kitties with Christmas lights on them. The perfect cozy weekend look even if it was a blustery day.

Polar Bear Sweater: Stella McCartney 'Polar bear intarsia wool and alpaca-blend sweater' (The Outnet), Leggings: Rock & Republic Star Wars Studded Leggings c/o Kohl's, Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)