K: Dressing for a Christmas party is always a conundrum. Chances are the event will be photographically remembered, which creates the need to look festive but most-of-all fabulous (and only a tad foolish). The outfit I conjured up for Charmagne’s white elephant gift exchange was as follows: sweater I found on a bench and candy apple red palazzo pants.

N: You look cold.

K: I am. These vintage palazzo pants are made of the thinnest, cheapest polyester around. They came in a set with a matching turtleneck/tunic and tie belt for four bucks. I bought them in a rush of glee over the dramatic volume and color, but they will not stay in my wardrobe long. Too cheap and poorly constructed. Turns out even in the 70s JCPenney was shit. Someday, I’ll hunt down a quality vintage pair , preferably in a print.

K: This loosely knit sweater doesn’t do much to keep out the breeze either.

K: I first put a red coral necklace with this outfit, but it was too heavy. These earrings my sister made keep the neckline clean.

K: My winter topper of choice: 60s men’s Pendleton wool coat plus wool wrap.

K: I love how these pants move.

N: At the beginning of the month, my better-paying, second job offered me some prime weekend shifts, so I quit my slightly-more-fun first job, allowing me to have more free time and more money!  My now former-manager still invited me to his Christmas Party, though.  I said “fuck it” to the ugly sweater theme and hauled my butt to Harlem in style  in this 70’s Mr. Topper of California turtleneck and olive pleated skirt.  My outfit was a big hit with the other party guests, who were pleasantly surprised to find out it was entirely thrifted and cost me about the same amount as their Cosby sweaters.

N: Nothing says Christmas like vintage polyester.  Also, you may remember this skirt from our Autumn themed post last month.  It’s ridiculous number of pleats and heavy material make it a great skirt for the colder months…so. much. fabric!

K: Oh, my! I love your little Christmas tree.

N: When in doubt, match your earrings to your belt.  These gold squares have the tiniest little diamond* on the bottom corner, but it was too hard to get it to show up in a photo.

(*may-or-may-not be a real diamond)

N: Ok, I lied before.  My zig-zag tights are the only non-thrifted part of my outfit, I got them from American Apparel last winter.  The t-strap shoes are though!  They may potentially be vintage dance/character shoes, which is one of the reasons I love them. That and the the fact that they are the exact same color as my belt.

K: Repeating motif! The rectangles on your shoes, belt and earrings all work together. A pro always styles down to the details.

K: I got an early xmas/late birthday present in the mail this week. This print:

K: Eeek! Isn’t it spectacular? I love the color choices, the stippling, the suit. I love that her skeletal hand looks like it’s grabbing her crotch. And I LOVE that the artist titled it “Lovely Couple”. *Sigh* Seriously, I would wear that suit. Check out more of Matthew Wade’s work here, here, and here.

Alas, this is our last Monday before Christmas, so we leave you with our blessing:

May your Christmas be rich in love and cheap in cost.