Does getting dressed up around the holidays stress you out or is it fun for you? Do you find yourself asking “What’s my aesthetic?” In this article, I explore the topic of getting dressed for the annual holiday party, so you can relax and show up as your authentic self. It’s that time of year. If you have a fancy dress-up party to go to this holiday season, now is the time to start thinking about what you are going to wear. Choosing details that remind you of your own body’s artistic qualities is the easiest way to create harmony in your visual appearance.
What’s My Aesthetic? The True Source
Last year at the holiday party I went to, the host played a fun little game. (If you want to see what I wore to the party, see the picture on my personality profiling page.)
When we entered, each person chose a small gift from a table full of items. There were three identical of each item, but not right together. I chose a little set of ornaments. I knew when I chose them specifically that the scale of them was right for me.
When it was time, we were supposed to find the other two people who had chosen the same item we did and they gave us some discussion questions. Idk if anyone else looking at the three of us who chose the little cluster of ornaments would have thought we looked alike, but I could certainly see the resemblance, especially between the other two (since it’s always harder to see yourself objectively).
We are drawn to that which resembles us. These were ornaments, but it works with clothes too.
Holiday Aesthetic Concept: Scale
The first concept I want to share is scale. As these ornaments were to our Christmas trees, so your accessories are to your outfit.
A. Understanding Your Natural Scale (two factors)
- your apparent body size: in general, your accessories and jewelry elements should be small if your body is small, medium if your body is medium, and so on
- The size of your facial features (relative to your face): if your features appear small, the elements of your accessories should be small and so on.
B. Choosing Accessories That Harmonize and Create Balance
1. For those with small facial features and a larger body
Multiple delicate pieces; small scale elements worn in volume
2. For those with large facial features
– Single large, statement piece
– Choose a good placement or focal point
Holiday Aesthetic Concept: Texture & Sheen
One of the most fun elements of getting dressed up at the holidays is texture and sheen. The place we have our parties is really dark, so I love shine and sparkle in that context
A. Your inherent texture and sheen qualities
- Skin: is it smooth shiny, heavily textured, or somewhere in between?
- Hair: is your hair curly or straight? Is it silver, therefore giving a metallic sheen or is it more matte
You can harmonize with your natural texture and sheen qualities OR you can dramatize them by contrasting. For example, a smooth shiny satin dress will harmonize with smooth, straight, shiny or silver hair, contrast and dramatize very curly hair, but it would also contrast and dramatize very textured skin so might not be the best if that was not a feature you wanted to highlight.
B. Holiday Fabric Guide
1. Velvet: soft sheen, good for alot of levels of sheen
2. Sequins: very eye-catching. Mixed with matte, it can be very sophisticated
3. Knits: if you want something very versatile, a sweater dress can be a good option to wear for other, less fancy events
Holiday Aesthetic Concept: Color
The third concept I want to share is using your natural colors to inform your choices. This is key to answering the question, “what’s my aesthetic?”
A. Eyes
- David Zyla recommends using the color of your limbic ring as a formal neutral, an alternative to black
- Your main eye color is also very often a good option. Zyla tends to give his brown-eyed clients a green as an eye enhancer
- The complement of your eye color also tends to be an eye enhancer
B. Hair
- A dress in your hair color (or black) is going to produce a fairly expected look, which can be great if you aren’t trying to call attention to yourself
- Hair is always a good color for shoes
C. Skin
- Be careful with colors that are very close to your skin color. They are great for shoes, and coats, and lingerie, and maybe date night dresses …
- Your lip color or blush color or other related reds can be a fabulous option
Green and red together is feeling dated to me, but either one by itself, or another jewel tone, or a festive metallic, or a formal neutral, all these make great options.
What’s My Aesthetic? Next Steps
To go deeper on the topic “what’s my aesthetic?” I suggest you journal (or just think) about what you want to feel like at your holiday party. Do you want to stand out or blend in? Do you want to feel relaxed or supported?
You can trust your instincts. At some level, you know what works for you. As when my friends and I choose the Christmas tree ornaments in scale with our bodies and features, your inner wisdom knows what is in harmony with you.
If that is hard for you to access, I am here to help. Start your Visual Identity Journey today.