3 Casual Holiday Looks New Yorkers Are Wearing

Party season is nothing without the prep. And no, I’m not talking about dancing in the mirror to an insanely good playlist, applying lashes, or doing the latest heatless curls method the night before. I’m talking about the last-minute errands you run leading up to a holiday event. While grocery shopping and grabbing your dress from the cleaners still pale in comparison to a glamorous holiday party, the party-prep looks you sport deserve a little more credit. The New York fashion set has mastered the art of turning every outing into a stylish moment, and lately, most of these looks involve Miu Miu. This brand continues its reign as a cool-girl favorite into the busy holiday season, turning heads and leading trends with countless fashion favorites on and off the runways.

We’ve been taking note of all of the chic looks and crafting a mood board full of off-duty ensembles for you to wear when you’re not stealing the spotlight at the next holiday party. Whether you’re grabbing flowers for a dinner you’re hosting, shopping for the last few ingredients of your famous holiday dessert, or picking up the outfit you’re going to wear in your next Instagram post, consider this your guide to having the chicest winter yet.

There’s something freeing about being dressed up in a casual setting. It gives every activity (even the most mundane) an element of excitement and just a slight rush of dopamine. I like to think of this look as casual with an edge. The denim jeans add a bit of sophistication, but the gray colorway helps maintain that relaxed, effortlessly cool vibe. The jacket has an oversize silhouette and contrast velvet collar that, when layered over a classic white poplin shirt, feels intentional but not too buttoned up for a last-minute flower run (because every stylish hostess has the perfect tablescape, of course). And we can’t forget about the pop of red on everyone’s favorite Wander bag. (Does it get any more festive than this bold hue?) The juxtaposition of the bright cherry red and the washed gray denim playfully taps into the tried-and-true trends of the season. In a look this good, it feels impossible to fly under the radar—even in the busy streets of NYC. Luckily, the sunglasses instantly activate incognito mode.

Let’s set the scene: You’re hosting a dinner party tonight and came across the perfect recipe to top off your menu. It’s only right that you enter the market serving looks even better than the the dishes you’ll serve later. This outfit is an homage to that collegiate prep style that is still making its rounds, and no one does this trend better than Miu Miu. The pleated skirt paired with layered polo shirts (the green feels particularly festive for the season) and city-friendly sneakers make the practical yet on-trend ensemble you didn’t know you needed. The oversize leather bag adds to the subtle school-girl vibe of the look. Who knows, maybe she’s got a book inside or maybe she’s stashing some treats from the market to share with her guests.

Although holiday party prep requires some less-than-exciting errands (hello, dry cleaner pickups), that doesn’t mean your outfits need to be. Nothing says “I have my life together” quite like a stroll through your neighborhood with a freshly laundered, plastic-wrapped look in tow, so it’s only right to wear an outfit that radiates the same energy. This camel-hair set with contrasting blue accents is perfectly paired with a white base to not only add to the layers but to break up the monochromatic feel. The skirt falls right above the knees, allowing for more color-blocking via the gray socks-and-loafers combo. For more warmth, this look includes every cool girl’s most underrated winter accessory—a pair of long leather gloves. Finally, the mini Aventure Nappa bag adorned with the cutest bag charms matches perfectly with the hair clip, bringing some extra charm (no pun intended) into the outfit and wrapping this look up in a perfect accessorized bow.