Christmastime in the City

chicago theatre

The holiday season is one of my favorite times to spend in my favorite citiesโ€ฆ The snow, the twinkling lights, the crisp airโ€ฆ It all feels so magical! New York, Paris, and Chicago all know how to do the holiday season right, but now that Iโ€™m in Chicago โ€“ letโ€™s focus on the holidays here!

If you had 24 hours in Chicago and wanted to pack as much in as you could, hereโ€™s my suggested agenda! I teamed up with Express to show just how easy it is to take one single outfit from day to night, that transitions from each of my four favorite holiday activities with just a few accessory swaps.

sweet mandy b's chicago

The foundation of your day full of different looks revolves around a chunky-looking turtleneck sweater and a fabulous pair of coated jeans. (We all know how I feel about Express jeans!) This turtleneck sweater is literally perfectโ€ฆ Itโ€™s not too thick, but not too thin either. Itโ€™s the ideal weight to wear for a long day of exploring a city, especially if youโ€™ll be in and out of stores and restaurants. I love how itโ€™s longer in the back, too! If you typically arenโ€™t comfortable wearing coated jeans without a longer top, this sweater has you covered, quite literally.

Start the day off with a sweet treat and some shopping! Lincoln Park has long been one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago (itโ€™s actually where I lived for a year after college!), and itโ€™s one of my favorites because it truly feels like a neighborhood. Gorgeous homes, great shopping, and a lot of quaint places to grab a quick bite. My absolute favorite bakery in Chicago is Sweet Mandy Bโ€™s. Start the day there grabbing coffee, hot chocolate, and sweet treats for some much-needed fuel!

jessica sturdy

long plaid coat navy blue

Itโ€™s December in Chicago so youโ€™re going to want to bundle up! Iโ€™d recommend wearing a chic pair of suede sneakers to stay comfortable and a great printed jacket. (Bonus points for the longer length of this windowpane printed coat from Express!) Add a faux-fur pom-pom beanie and a pair of warm gloves while youโ€™re walking around outside. Iโ€™m absolutely in love with these Express glovesโ€ฆ The gloves and hand warmers are separate so you can wear either individually or wear them together for extra warmth!

The shopping on Armitage is really funโ€ฆ Lots of cute little boutiques like All She Wrote, Loriโ€™s Shoes, Art Effect, Lโ€™Occitane, Benefit, and more! (Thereโ€™s also a Dream Dry if you want to start the day with a blowout!)

navy blue plaid coat

plaid coat

sweet mandy bs chicago

shopping lincoln park armitage chicago

white pom pom winter hat

sweet mandy bs lincoln park chicago

white beanie with fur pom pom

express high low sweater

Once youโ€™ve walked around and burned off your calories from hot chocolate and pastries, head back to where youโ€™re staying to drop off your purchases and get ready for dinner. For dinner, shed your layers and just add heels and a statement necklace. Thatโ€™s all you need in Chicago!

christmas outfit

Iโ€™d highly recommend dinner in the West Loop! Itโ€™s a super popular area right now and just about every restaurant off of Randolph has opened in the last 2-3 years. (Iโ€™d also highly recommend making reservations! These places book up pretty quickly.) However, if you forget to make a reservation, there are a ton of really great spots packed into a few blocks. Some of my favorites include: Bar Siena, Maudeโ€™s, Au Cheval, Blackbird, Avec, Vivo, Nellcote, The Publican, Green Street Meats, and RM Champagne.

express coated leggings, kate spade bow pumps

express holiday

express turtleneck sweater

statement necklace gold fringe

high low sweater

vera bradley black and gold studded clutch

chicago theatre downtown

Post-dinner, head to the Loop to Chicagoโ€™s Theatre District and catch a show. You canโ€™t go wrong with A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre or The Nutcracker at Auditorium Theatre!

Itโ€™s a quick cab ride from the West Loop to the Chicago Theatreโ€ฆ Just head east on Randolph! But since you might be outside waiting for your Uber or waiting at the box office, add a super chic faux fur coat over your dinner outfit.

express faux fur coat colorblock

express faux fur coat

Once the show is over, why not cozy up near a fireplace for a nightcap? Since Chicago is notoriously freezing for a good six months out of the year, cozy bars are pretty easy to find. Some of my favorites include; Hubbard Inn, Drumbar, RM Champagne, Scofflaw, The Dawson, the Bar at the Peninsula, Frontier, and The Library under Gilt Bar.

To transition your look from dinner and a show to a night out, Iโ€™d simply take off your statement necklace and add a different faux fur accessory. Iโ€™m absolutely obsessed with this patchwork faux fur stoleโ€ฆ Iโ€™ve been wearing it constantly! Itโ€™s an instant dose of glam. I love how it looks like a faux fur vest from the front, but it’s just a stole. It’s long enough you can wrap it around your neck, too!

cocktails in chicago

patchwork faux fur

vera bradley stud clutch

patchwork faux fur stole

black rayban aviators

what to wear for a night out

If youโ€™ve got more than 24 hours, Iโ€™d also recommend Ice Skating near the Bean in Milenium Park, or on the outdoor terrace at the Peninsula Hotel. Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo is also a lot of fun! Donโ€™t forget to check out my Travel Guide for more spots to check out while youโ€™re in town!

Shop my whole City Guide look here!

Sweet Treats & Shopping
Express Turtleneck
Express Coated Jeans
Seavees Sneakers
Ray-Ban Aviators
Express Plaid Coat
Express Gloves
Express Beanie
Gucci Crossbody

Dinner in the West Loop
Express Turtleneck
Express Coated Jeans
Express Statement Necklace
Kate Spade Pumps
Vera Bradley Clutch
Michael Kors Watch

Go to the Show
Express Faux Fur Coat
Express Turtleneck
Express Coated Jeans
Express Statement Necklace
Kate Spade Pumps

Grab a Nightcap
Express Turtleneck
Express Coated Jeans
Express Patchwork Faux Fur Snood
Kate Spade Pumps
Bauble Bar Cuff
Vera Bradley Clutch

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Leave a Comment

32 Comments

  1. 11.23.15
    Kendal said:

    I love each of those outfits! Chicago looks absolutely beautiful, I need to visit one day!

    Kendal // Life With Kendal

  2. 11.23.15
    Natali said:

    Looking so cute in the first outfit and absolutely elegant and glamorous in the other two! Beautiful!

    http://lartoffashion.com

  3. 11.23.15
    ujjaini said:
  4. 11.23.15

    Loved this post! It’s always fun to see and share favorite spots around the city!

    xo, Laura
    http://brightandbeautifulblog.com

  5. 11.23.15
    Rena said:

    Your fur coat is such a wonderful piece!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

  6. 11.23.15
    Lori S H said:

    Flawless! I love your transitions. Would you mind to share your nail color? Your makeup looks so fresh and pretty.

  7. 11.23.15
    Dana said:

    Obsessed with all of these looks! That check coat is my favorite though!

    Pink Champagne Problems

  8. 11.23.15
    Emma said:

    Love the first photo outside radio city! Also love the plaid coat
    emmastyleguide.blogspot.com

  9. 11.23.15
    Aubrey said:

    I love the gray turtleneck, especially with the gray vest.

    xx. The Coastal Confidence
    http://the-coastalconfidence.com/

  10. 11.23.15
    Jessica said:

    So perfect! Seriously cannot get over the vest. Thanks for the great tips! Definitely need to get to Chicago ASAP!

    Jessica
    http://www.wedressalright.com

  11. 11.23.15
    Jessica said:

    Loving those sparkly bow heels! Beautiful photos.

    xo Jessica
    http://www.mystylevita.com

  12. 11.23.15
    Kate said:

    I couldn’t agree with you more that there’s something so magical about the city during the holiday time….especially when there are flurries in the air and horse rides….ahhh I love it!
    -Kate
    http://katekoutures.blogspot.com/

  13. 11.23.15

    This looks very cozy! Love your style so much and you’re so pretty! <3

    http://sequinsinpink.blogspot.com

  14. 11.23.15
    Stacey said:

    This makes me so excited for the holiday season! I love all your looks!

    xoxo
    Stacey
    Five Minute Style

  15. 11.23.15

    What a fun day you planned! I will definitely have to visit Chicago this holiday season ๐Ÿ™‚

    xoxo Nicole

    http://www.brazenbrunette.com

  16. 11.24.15

    These looks are so cute, love the coats
    xo
    http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

  17. 11.24.15
    Prudence said:

    Love how fur designs like the coat and vest are able to glam up the outfit instantly! The hi-low hem of the sweater is so chic too!

    Prudence
    http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com

  18. 11.24.15
    Olivia said:

    I love Sweet Mandy B’s! Armitage is my favorite boutique shopping too – it’s always my go-to for a lazy saturday wandering the shops. I work in West Loop but haven’t had a chance to try all those restaurants, they’re on my list though! These are awesome picks and adorable outfits to go with them – thanks for sharing, from one Chicago blogger to another!

    xo Olivia | prepessentials.blogspot.com

  19. 11.25.15

    Wonderful as usual.

    Aline Brodbeck
    Femina – Modรฉstia e Elegรขncia

  20. 11.28.15

    Your outfit looks so cosy but fashionable ate the same time! It’s perfect for autumn/winter season.

    http://www.cojograab.com

  21. 11.29.15
    camille said:

    Awesome pictures
    xoxo
    http://fashionbackyard.blogspot.fr

  22. 11.30.15
    Lucie said:

    I’ve never been to Chicago before but this post just makes me wanna get on a plane right now! xx

    http://thefrenchpier.blogspot.com

  23. 11.30.15
    Amanda said:

    I love Chicago but tend to schedule my visits during the warmer months, although this post has me wanting to visit in the winter! Love all the outfits, super cute!