two New Year's Eve outfit ideas

In case you need some last minute ideas for what to wear tonight (and tomorrow will have some ideas for New Year's Day ON New Year's Day - mindblowing, I know), here are two a wee-bit-more-than-casual looks, incorporating skirts and tights.

This first look is a black sweater layered over a black dress, with some purple tights for a little pizzazz. I added a polka dot heart scarf, booties, and a purple headband to pull it all together. This would be a great look if you're not into wearing sequins - monochromatic, with a bit of fun color thrown in.

sweater: American Eagle

dress: thrifted (Target)

tights: ???

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

But if you ARE into wearing sequins...

And if you want to be festive in sequins, but tend to get cold like yours truly, try wearing a sweater with your sequins. It's a fun juxtaposition - snazzy party-ready sequins with a warm sweater and boots. And, as an added bonus, this look incorporates ALL OF THE textures: cable-knit sweater, sequins, tights, leather boots, peacoat, and curly strawberry-blonde hair (some of my favorite things!). 

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

coat: Old Navy

bag: TJ Maxx

jewel tones

All the shades of blue and green. I really like how this came together - I didn’t anticipate liking it so much, but, I did! The color of these pants seems more spring/summer to me (like grass green), but when paired with darker tones, the grassy-ness is toned down significantly. And normally I wouldn’t pair an open knit cardigan with a heavy knitted scarf, but

(1) emerald green just happened to look great with the blue of my shirt and the green of my pants,

and

(2) I needed a warmer scarf.

Ever pair solid jewel tones together? I might try it for New Year's Even, instead of opting for sequins...

shirt: Target

sweater: Hollister via Plato's Closet

scarf: thrifted

pants: from a friend (Urban Outfitters)

flats: Target

classy in leather

I don't ride a motorcycle (but I DO ride a beach cruiser), and I’m not one to wear lots of leather (besides a jacket, shoes, or bag). However, I found this skirt at a thrift store and have silently been plotting ways for my sunshine-y/fuzzy/warm self to wear it.

Enter winter.

And tights.

And sweaters.

I added a cream sweater (with a wide v-neck collar - very feminine) to soften it up, and take the look from “lady of the night” to “fashion forward young strawberry blonde on a date with her husband.”

Did I nail it? I mean, if anything, the sweater helps, and the black herringbone print tights also contribute. The booties help a teeny bit, but maybe the low bun in the hair is really what takes it from edgy to modern classy…?

And cool.

Definitely cool.

sweater: American Eagle

skirt: thrifted

tights: I don't remember...

booties: Old Navy

fun

I like to think these wedges scream

“I’M A FUN PERSON!

BE MY FRIEND!

LET’S EAT BREAKFAST BURRITOS AND BOND!”

Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen…

However, since they’re so bright, I like to wear them something a bit more simple:

Exhibit A (above): black & white polka dots and skinnies.

Or the last time I wore them – Exhibit B: with a black & white dress.

These were also my wedding shoes, and either I have gotten worse at walking in heels (which is entirely possible. and these are wedges, no less) or these shoes got stretched out during that day, or my feet are shrinking, because I just can’t. quite. walk. like a normal person in these magenta suede wedges.

Rats.

button up shirt: Old Navy

skinnies: local consignment shop

wedges: ALDO

clutch: thrifted

can’t stop. won’t stop.

And look-y here, more dark colors.

Can't stop.

Won't stop.

More black. More chambray. More boots. Oh, and my strawberry blonde hair that I’m obsessed with (I have a girl, and she’s aaaaaaAAAmAAAAzingggg!).

Again – can’t stop. Won’t stop.

chambray: thrifted

skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

boots: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: WalMart (more of my DIY blanket scarves here)

all my favorite neutrals

At first I had the idea to wear this blush blouse under my navy cardigan. I knew I wanted to wear something other than jeans or a skirt, so I decided on olive skinnies. And I really LOVE how these colors look together. I chose boots on this day, but also considered brown dotted flats.

I actually wore the brown pashmina scarf, but I also like how the blue plaid scarf looks. This look can be easily adapted for different seasons by changing the shoes, subtracting or changing the scarf, and changing up the jewelry (a statement necklace in place of a scarf, or statement earrings).

Would you ever pair these colors together? I hadn't before, but I sure do LOVE how it turned out.

blouse: H&M

cardigan: Banana Republic

brown pashmina: from my sis-in-law

blue scarf: thrifted (Target)

olive skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

Happy Christmas

As the Brits say, Happy Christmas! I'm skiing with my family - truly a winter wonderland.

Thank you for reading :)

- Annie Bananie

down time

Casual, casual, casual today. Sometimes I just don't have any great outfit ideas bursting out of my brain. And that's ok - it's ok (and even really helpful!) to return to the basics of a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Artists and painters and designers aren't ALWAYS creating something amazing, are they? We all need some down time to get inspired again - on that note, Merry Christmas!

Hope you enjoy the holiday with loved ones!

shirt: from a local consignment shop (BKE)

scarf: gift from a friend

jeans: c/o of Aéropostale

flats: WalMart

jacket: Target

bag: TJ Maxx