This year Christmas will be different in a new way. After a recent (and long awaited) move, all of my family now calls the Seattle area home. No longer returning to a hometown and sweet community in Kentucky, it is a week filled with activities, holiday memories, and foraging a new life with family in Seattle. (Not to mention, I’m obsessed with Pike Place at Christmas time, so you can definitely expect an Instagram feed filled with pictures from our trip!) My family isn’t known for sitting still and this year is no exception. We have holiday adventures out, nights at a well-known water park and resort, winter hikes, and days indoors getting ready for Christmas. Needless to say, when it comes to packing I’m beyond thankful for capsule wardrobes that help out time and time again.
Keep reading for this year’s capsule after the jump!
Family Night Out Look: Coat, Dress, and Clutch from Everlane | Earrings from Able | Over the Knee Boots from Target
Family Night Out
This is a tradition started by my brother many years ago. When it came to the years of Christmas pre-spouses and pre-children, our Christmases could feel somewhat uneventful. He was in his twenties and I was counting down the days until New Year’s Road Trips with college friends. We would choose to go downtown, eat at an amazing restaurant, and get all dressed up. We would take pictures and enjoy a night out, no one needing to cook, and savoring every bite. While our family has grown, this is a tradition that holds fast and is beyond lovely. Updating closet staples, we’re rocking a favorite cashmere sweater dress with over the knee boot, camel coat, loose bun, and red lip. Finished with minimal jewelry and clutch, it is a beautiful statement.
Christmas eve look: Skirt, Sock Booties, and Sweater from Target | Silk Cami from Everlane
Christmas Eve Dinner + Service
Keeping things festive, yet slightly more conservative, this look is smart by pairing other items worn throughout the week with a stunning skirt and boot. We love pairing black and navy in such a way that feels brilliant and rare rather than all black which can be overdone. Playing with a contrast of texture and shapes, it’s fun with a half tuck in front, knubby chunky knit sweater, vertical pleats, and soft silk cami. To dress this look up for going out, we’d add an amazing over the knee boot in place of our suede sock booties. Because of the multiple textures going on, we’re keeping the accessories minimal with our everyday pieces of rings and watch. After Christmas Eve service, we head home and eat all the appetizers. Once the nieces are put to bed, we put on a Christmas movie, and put out presents underneath the tree, filling stockings with care, and setting the table for the next morning. (It was a tradition started by my dad as a kid and something that has held fast over the years. This year will be no exception.)
Christmas Shopping Downtown Look: Jeans and Coat from Everlane | Shoes and Sweater: Target
Christmas Shopping Downtown
Remember how I mentioned loving heading to Pike Place Market for a bit of Christmas shopping? I always go to Market Spice to stock up on my favorite loose leaf teas, spices for holiday baking, and coffee for the week. (I’m a definite coffee and tea snob and their stuff is amazing, coming direct from the source!) For lunch, we stop at Beecher’s Cheese for their Mac n Cheese (Oprah’s favorite) and pick up their signature flagship cheese for a charcuterie for Christmas Eve. As a final stop, we head to visit Robin at The Crumpet Shop for a sweet treat (our favorite is topped with lemon curd and ricotta). Between Pike Place, the downtown Target, and shopping in Lincoln Square, walking shoes are necessary for this look. With an amazing pair of mules for Madewell, this look is classic and cozy, particularly for rainy winter days in Seattle.
Hiking through the Words Look: Coat, Jeans, and Sweater from Everlane | Boots, Hat, and Scarf from Target | Base Layer from Under Armour | Better Sweater and Lightweight Puffer from Patagonia | Smartwool Hiking Socks from SmartWool
Hiking through the woods
When it comes to hiking in the woods, there’s nothing like warmth. We’re adding smart layers to closet staples for this look. With a cable knit turtleneck, fluffy hat, and thin thermal leggings underneath black skinnies, paired with a fur lined boot, you’ll stay warm playing in the snow and hiking the trail. If it’s more of an active hike, we’ll replace our thick sweater with a favorite better sweater from Patagonia. For things like snowshoeing, we’ll remove the jeans and pair with gloves and additional layers. I’ll use these pieces throughout the week on neighborhood walks, gym visits, and as lounge pieces when at the resort.