1 pinch glam, 2 parts chic, and 3 cups elastic waistband? Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful outfit we’ve never heard of, nor would we probably have ever styled without this year’s virtual party circuit.

While 2020 might be a little more sweatpants and a little less sequins, dressing up is one of the things that has brought us joy. And what better time to flaunt your fashion game than the holidays? 

In celebration of getting dressed up, we tasked our resident RTR team to whip up their best holiday outfit recipes. From a look fit for a food-coma to getting glam just because, these combinations are guaranteed to give you the gift of feeling fun and festive. 

Scroll on, prepare your 5-star reviews and get ready to make a new heart’s list, because if you haven’t paired a fancy top with sweatpants (or no pants) for a Zoom happy hour, are you really even in 2020?

Neil Timiraos, Brand Stylist

My favorite part of the holidays are family traditions. My family has lived in our house for three generations, so having everyone there at the same time always feels right  and our traditions have become second nature. I’m spending Christmas at home with my family in Maryland.

My degree is in classical voice, and I always look forward to singing Handel’s Messiah with a choir or two in NYC and DC. Since Covid has made standing in a tightly packed group and breathing heavily on each other a thing of the past, I’ll have to settle for sitting in front of the piano annoying my whole family for a few hours.

Holiday Outfit Recipe: Getting dressed during the holidays is always fun, because you get to play with formality. For me, it is always about a fun, cozy sweater and dressier pants.

Suzanne Smallshaw, Director of Fashion

My favorite part of the holidays is usually traveling to the UK to spend the holidays with my partner’s family and friends. However, this year will obviously be a little different as we won’t be hopping on a plane, so we are going to make the most of being together for the first time as a family of three (I have a little boy!). I am looking forward  to cooking, snuggling on the couch and watching some feel-good movies.

Holiday Outfit Recipe: Comfy at home means this JW Anderson oversized knit. It’s the perfect way to still feel fashion-forward but also comfortable. This can easily be worn with your favorite high waisted 90’s denim while you’re running to the grocery store and cooking.  As you transition into your “Netflix-and-chill vibe” you can swap your denim for these Kiki de Montparnasse silk bottoms that are simply divine!

Kayla Slider, Associate Site Merchandiser

My favorite part of the holidays is spending time with my family and getting together with friends. I am a bit over the top with decorations and gifting. To me, there is truly nothing better than getting in the spirit and spreading love and holiday cheer.

Christmas Eve my family tends to get rowdy. Lots of games, drinks, food, smiles, singing and dancing. We don’t have a limit on the volume. 

Holiday Outfit Recipe: Christmas Eve we enjoy having the opportunity to get dressed up. Christmas morning is all about the comfort, and Christmas Day typically consists of a chic sweater and jeans or a sweater dress.

Blaire Walsh, Style Director

My favorite part of the holidays is being around family and friends who I haven’t seen throughout the year, the endless amount of yummy food and holiday-inspired cocktails and festive decorations. Nothing says the holidays like a Christmas tree, twinkle lights everywhere and laughter.

I always look forward to spending the Christmas holidays down South in Louisiana. I come from a large family and we go to my Aunt and Uncle’s home for both Christmas Eve  and Day  to watch all the kids open presents—us adults have southern milk punch at noon.

Holiday Outfit Recipe: I strive for style and comfort when it comes to holiday dressing because in the South, the  holidays are all about gathering with friends & family and eating all the delicious home-cooked meals. The days can be long, so I make sure I’m comfortable to play in the yard with all the kids in my family but also look put together for afternoon cocktails on the porch.

Sally Wong, Engagement Marketing Manager

My favorite part of the holidays is the crisp air, snow and shopping! I love buying gifts for family, friends and treating myself along the way. I cook a giant pineapple ham for the holidays. My family has it for days after; we add it in  ramen, sandwiches or sneak some from the fridge at night and eat it cold as a late-night snack. 

How are you spending the holidays? How do they look different this year?

My personal holiday goal is to learn how to snowboard, which is a pretty socially distant activity on the mountain. We all need a mental health break to just be with friends and feel human, but will definitely be more thoughtful of who I spend the holidays with to ensure everyone feels safe. 

Holiday Outfit Recipe:

Still glam it up! That extra sparkle will give you confidence and light up the room.

Jordana Zinner, Assistant Buyer

My favorite part of the holidays is cooking holiday recipes for my family! I love cooking and baking all of our classic favorites and surprising my family with some new traditions to spice up the table. On the menu this year? Zucchini latkes, rosemary garlic challah bread and pomegranate chocolate tarts!

How are you spending the holidays? How do they look different this year?
This year, my partner and I plan on being Upstate to spend time with some of our NY-based family. Think: fire pits and major movie binges. Usually we would be heading to the great snowy north (Canada) to see my family, eh?! But to keep everyone safe and healthy, we will be celebrating together virtually.  

Holiday Outfit Recipe: I think the perfect piece for the holiday season is the Nanushka Faux Leather wrap skirt. You can go casual and pair it with an oversized knit like the Baum und Pferdgarten Clyde Sweater or Tommy Hilfiger Letterman Cardi. To dress it up for that true holiday moment, pair it with a silk blouse like the Ramy Brook Sammy Blouse. Top it off with hoops, strappy heels and a statement bag like the Yuzefi Baton Black Handbag. Either look will have you owning the room or the Zoom!   

Jovanna Youssef, Product Marketing & Customer Strategy Director

My favorite part of the holidays is getting to see my huge extended Egyptian family. We’re talking over 80 people–aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and more. Every holiday there’s always a new baby to meet or a new milestone to celebrate, and it’s always a special (and very loud!) time when we’re all together.

On Christmas Eve, the whole extended family gets dressed up. We have dinner and drinks and then late in the evening, all the little kiddos get a special visit from Santa (one day they’ll realize there is always one uncle missing when Santa arrives). I spend Christmas Day with my parents, three younger sisters (aka besties!) and my fiancé. We have mimosas and a big Egyptian breakfast, open presents, FaceTime more family and go to the movies.

Holiday Outfit Recipe: I miss getting dressed up, so I’m going to use Christmas Eve dinner to finally rent these amazinggg Tanya Taylor faux leather pants I’ve been eyeing! I’ll pair them with this stunning Jonathan Simkhai sequin top for a festive zoom look. On Christmas morning, comfort is key. Pyer Moss is one of my favorite designers to hit RTR. I’ll be wearing these Pyer Moss sweats and sweatshirt all day.