Seasonal Sparkle

Sezane dress
Jimmy Choo heels
Aurate NY bracelet (c/o)
Stella & Dot ring
Maris Pearl Co. earrings (similar)
Location: Osborne Village – Winnipeg, Manitoba

I will be the first to admit that Christmas is not a holiday we’ve ever dressed up for – that’s just not how either of us grew up. Christmas in Manitoba is cold and dark; new sweaters and extra socks define seasonal style, which is all about staying warm. Years ago, Lyndi and I went all out for a series of Christmas collaborations, which culminated in us wearing sparkly minidresses in the mountains. I vividly remember sprinting, in heels, back to the car, over the ice and snow – risking life and limb – as soon as we were done shooting because I was freezing. (And compared to Winnipeg in December, Whistler is warm, even balmy.) After that, I never considered wearing a dress for Christmas again. Not even for a few minutes.

But this is 2020, and all bets are off. I’ve developed a new appreciation for how the roaring twenties came about this year – after staying indoors for two years during the flu pandemic, of course people spent the next decade living like every day, and outfit, might be their last. I’ve embraced all things seasonal, from an oversized Christmas tree to Bailey’s in my morning coffee to colour coordinated gift wrap. What I’ve spent on gifts amounts to a small fortune, but when you can’t see anyone, it only makes sense. As for my holiday outfits? I confess: I started shopping for seasonal dresses in July.

That’s not to say that this seasonal outfit came together after months of planning. I ordered the dress on a whim just days before surgery, realising all my dreams of backless clothing were about to come true. The shoes were a birthday gift from me, to me, but the just beg to be worn for the holidays. In a normal year, there is no way I could wear this to a holiday gathering. I’d freeze to death. But since we won’t be going further than home this year, it’s suddenly perfectly practical.

This is not the season that any of us wanted or imagined, but it’s the one we’re going to live. There is no wrong way to do it. Quiet celebration, no celebration at all… everyone is different. Circumstances vary wildly from place to place. But personally, I plan to make the season as a fabulous as possible to make up for everything it will inevitably lack. And for me, that always starts with my outfit.

However you’ll be spending the holidays, and whatever you plan to wear, I hope your season is filled with love, light and lots of sweet treats, too.