If I was going to be a guest at someone’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, this is exactly what I would wear. The mixed stone necklace brings more autumnal tones into the look, and the chunky gold hoops are attention-grabbing and right on-trend.

These velvet jeans are actually a bootcut, not a flare, but it’s basically the same thing. A bootcut is not quite as wide at the leg opening as a flare, so they’re aren’t as dramatic of a look, which suits my modern/polished/understated style persona just fine.

I would say they run true to size, although I’m squeezing into a 28 here. I was wearing the 29 in Sunday’s Try-On Haul, and I thought they felt roomy, so I ordered the 28 to compare, but they’re too snug in the waist. When I sit down or bend over, it’s not a pretty sight, to say nothing of uncomfortable. All that to say, I would recommend going with your true size, if ordering. I’ll be keeping the 29.

I’d also like to have them shortened just a tad. These boots are the highest heels I own, and I’d like to see a little more space between the hem of my jeans and the ground. I’m not stepping on them, though, so they’re probably okay like this. It’s just a matter of personal preference.

Also, these velvet jeans and the black leather booties are both on sale this weekend.

My sweater is not on sale, but it’s not a bad price either. I love the cutaway collar and rounded v-neckline, and it’s a nice, soft fine-gauge knit that isn’t too clingy.

The subtle bell sleeve adds another element of interest, and keeps the whole look chic yet understated.

I topped it all off with my leather bomber, but I can also see adding a faux fur jacket or a vegan leather puffer, as I did in the outfit below. Or even a long wool wrap coat, for an element of sophistication.

leather bomber (S) (option) (budget option) // collared sweater (S) // velvet flares – $50 off // Marc Fisher boots – 36% off (8) // similar necklace – 50% off // gold hoops – 25% off

This next look is quite similar, in that it also involves a black top, but I couldn’t decide which I liked better, so we shot both. This time, I wore a vegan leather puffer on top.

similar vegan leather puffer – 60% off // LNA Emelie Rib Top (M) // AG Farrah Velvet Bootcut Jeans – $50 off // Marc Fisher boots – 36% off // crystal statement earrings – 40% off // crystal frame clutch

I love the cut-out design on this LNA Emelie Rib Top. It takes a simple rib tee from daytime to date night, but it’s still modest and bra-friendly. In this case, I sized up to a medium, for a little extra wiggle-room since it has a body-con fit.

You can certainly tuck it in, if you like, but I’m too short-waisted, and that doesn’t work for me. I tried it both ways in Sunday’s Try-On Haul, and I decided I prefer to leave it out.

To give this look more of a holiday flair, I added crystal statement drop earrings and I carried a sparkly clutch.

I didn’t want a necklace to interfere with the neckline, and I like the generous length of the long sleeves, so I didn’t wear a bracelet either. I’m going to look for a larger statement earring to wear with this because I think it could use a little more bling.

With both of these outfits, the topper really matters because the outfits are so simple, but that’s partly what I love about them. They’re easy to throw on and go, but the extra detail in the tops, and the velvet pants keeps them from being boring.

For this look, I chose a vegan leather bomber for a little extra drama, and I also like the contrast of textures. Mine is a few years old, but Gap Factory has one that’s quite similar, and it’s 60% off right now.

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photos: Alison Cornell