3 Party-Ready J.Crew Looks That You Can Style A Zillion Ways + Wear All Year Long.
"Festive" doesn't mean you have to look like an Elf on a Shelf. Just saying.
Today’s newsletter is a first for me! As longtime readers know, I’m a huge fan of all things J.Crew, a sentiment I have shared repeatedly over the years. (Just check out my story J.Crew Is Eating My Wallet from 2022 for context.) So when the kind team reached out about creating a sponsored newsletter, I said YES immediately, despite having turned down similar opportunities with other brands for many years. So why yes and why now? Well, first and foremost, it’s an organic collaboration, as I’m truly the brand’s biggest fan. Plus, J.Crew was incredible about allowing me to focus on pieces that I actually love, giving me total freedom in the process. This is the first time I’ve ever created a story in collaboration with a brand, so I’m equal parts nervous and proud. But most of all, I hope you like it as much as I do!
Hi everyone, and welcome back! I don’t know how you feel about holiday dressing, but it’s not something that normally makes my heart sing. With the exception of black-tie events, I really don’t love the idea of buying occasion-based pieces. I expect everything in my closet to work harder than that! I’ve spent years honing my shopping skills so that my wardrobe is full of items that can be styled up or down, and can be worn to the office, out on the town, and on the weekends—and that same standard is applied to my holiday party attire.
With that in mind, I’m excited to share three looks I’m wearing for the holidays that will also work with a thousand other things in my closet. If you have questions about any of the pieces, please feel free to drop a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer you within the hour!
Look 1 / Casual Festive: Black velvet blazer + cashmere crewneck sweater + vintage jeans
Generally speaking, I am not the best representative of the holiday spirit. My favorite color is black, after all. But while you won’t catch me in a festive sweater, I do like to make small seasonal nods to this time of year, primarily by wearing something a little luxurious during the daytime. Specifically, this incredible black velvet Alexandra Blazer, which obviously can be dressed up or down.
The blazer comes in four colors (black, navy, lilac, and forest green) and when I tell you to run to get it, I mean it. The cut is impeccable; it’s nipped in a bit at the waist, giving it a more femme silhouette, which is a little unexpected but incredibly lovely. Mine is a size 6, and I have plenty of room underneath, so I could wear it with a chunkier sweater (J.Crew's Cotton Cable-Knit Crewneck Sweater and Turtleneck Sweater are both great options) if desired.
I’m wearing it here with a simple J.Crew Cashmere Classic-Fit Crewneck Sweater, which is a wonderful staple to have on hand (I’m wearing a small here), and vintage jeans, and I have been styling it with the Tissue Crepe Turtleneck and high-waisted trousers for work. It would also pair nicely with either black leather or velvet trousers for an evening look, though I’d probably swap the sweater for something more delicate and lacy.
Look 2 / Incredibly Easy Festive: Black satin trousers + slightly sheer shirt + cropped leopard faux-fur jacket
Trousers! In satin! Are you as shocked as I am, considering I don’t really love pants? What can I say? J.Crew’s Stratus Pants in Textured Satin are fundamentally delightful because they’re so incredibly elegant and easy. Honestly, it’s like wearing your fanciest pajama pants out and about, but better because the fit is so darn dreamy. (The Delaney Kickout Sweater-Pant is another cozy, easy option, too.) Plus, maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the wide-leg silhouette is festive without veering into costume.
With this trouser shape, I think it’s pretty important to style them with a pointy shoe so that you don’t look like you’re on stilts, and pair them with more cropped jackets so you can really get the full impact of these subtly statement-making trousers.
For this look, I’m wearing the satin trousers with a slightly sheer long-sleeve shirt—specifically the Collection Sheer Wool-Blend Long-Sleeve T-Shirt, which I’ve written about several times before, it’s that good—and the Faux-Fur Lady Jacket in Leopard Print, which I can't stop posting on social because she’s just so darn excellent. The shirt is a true essential (and one of the most worn pieces in my wardrobe), while the jacket looks excellent dressed down with vintage, slightly belled jeans (these Denim Button-Fly Trousers, for example) or up with a long silk skirt and strappy heels. Hello, New Year’s Eve!
Look 3 / Formal Festive: Elegant tux jacket + thin turtleneck + silky skirt
As you can tell, for me, holiday dressing isn’t about bright colors (though I do love a green moment). My way of staying true to my personal style is to pick elevated versions of my everyday essentials in unexpected colors or materials. For example, I love a blazer and a tuxedo jacket, but I tend to wear simple black iterations most of the year. But when I saw the Collection Relaxed Double-Breasted Blazer in Italian Tuxedo Wool, I fell in love on the spot. (It doesn’t hurt that I got to see it in person on J.Crew’s Creative Director, Olympia Gayot, at a dinner in Silverlake last month; she looked stunning, and I was sold.)
I really love styling it for a more formal occasion with a floor-length silky skirt (my skirt is older, but J.Crew’s Drop-Waist Pleated Skirt will do the trick, too!) and a very slim turtleneck for some old-school Sharon Stone vibes; #iykyk. Because the jacket is cropped, your legs end up looking a million miles long, which is never a bad thing in my book.
The jacket has surprising range; I’ve been styling it with thrashed boyfriend jeans and loafers for daytime, and wearing it with structured, cropped trousers, vintage concert t-shirts, and kitten heels for the office. And when I tell you folks literally stop me on the street to ask about it, I’m not kidding.
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) Your support is appreciated.
Terribly shocked not to see the pleated skirt. . . Love all of these!
I wore all J Crew to my husband’s work holiday party last night! (Except the shoes). Red sweater over the gwenyth black slip dress and the super cute tortoise barrel bag. :) the slip dress is a dream. Debated getting it so many times and finally ordered it with the Black Friday sale. It can be styled so many ways!