When it comes to a festive wardrobe, there is nothing as quintessentially holiday-appropriate as a comfy, cozy red sweater. Red took over as one of the hottest colors of 2023, and now that our closets are filled to the brim with the fiery shade, it’s time to let the color shine as the focal point of our holiday dressing.
While you might think you need sequins and sparkles to make an outfit feel holiday-ready, your red sweater will do the trick just as well. You can make your red sweater work for every festive event you have in your Google calendar for the month of December—especially if you need a holiday-ready look you can throw together last-minute.
The holidays are officially here, and our jam-packed social calendars have come with it. Here’s how to make style a red sweater to save your last-minute holiday outfits.
For your office holiday party
Office holiday party? Make your favorite work trousers feel festive by pairing them with a red sweater. Regardless of their color—though we are partial to a pair of plaid ones for this particular look—they’ll give you a put-together, professional look in a jiff. May we suggest pulling it all together by putting a bow in your hair?
For a gift exchange with friends
Wearing a sweater the regular way? Boring. Instead, drape yours over your shoulders for a chic, effortless effect. Especially if you’re prone to overheating—or are heading to a party you know will be crowded and have the heat blasting—draping your sweater over a blouse or bodysuit will make it serve as a festive accessory.
For a day of holiday shopping
Put yourself in the spirit for holiday shopping by opting for a ‘fit that has your red sweater as the focal point. If your day is going to consist of a lot of running around, opt for jeans and a pair of sneakers or ballet flats to make errands feel a bit more bearable. Top it off with a wool coat, and you’ve got yourself a go-to look for all of December’s casual Sundays.
For a festive dinner date
Need your red sweater to feel a bit more dressed up? Layer it over a white button-up. The contrast of the red with the addition of a white collar popping out of the top will make your look feel a bit more elevated, especially if you opt for a red cardigan (buttoned all the way up, of course). To prevent it from feeling too business casual, pair the duo with a black mini skirt and your favorite loafers, ballet flats, or knee-high heeled boots.
For a holiday happy hour
One of 2023’s top styling hacks? Buttoning only the top button. Layer a red cardigan over a white tee with only the top button of the cardigan secured, and layer on accessories for a casual-cool look fitting of a trip to your town’s most decked-out holiday bar.
For your family’s holiday party
There’s no such thing as too much of a good thing, right? Level up your red sweater by making it part of an all-red, monochrome moment. Pair it with a red maxi skirt and call it a day, or take it one notch further by opting for a red mini skirt and trendy red tights. Top it all off with silver accessories and get ready to be the most complimented one at your family’s holiday party.
Shop our favorite red sweaters
