Eloise Is My Christmas Style Icon

She should be yours, too.

Like most women of a certain age, It Girls (both real and fictional) like Carrie Bradshaw and Chloë Sevigny played a major role in my desire to move to New York. It's one of my more basic qualities, sure, but I'm not ashamed to say I wanted to fit into the archetype of a certain kind of New York woman. But before I learned about these ladies from reruns on E! and the pages of Nylon, there was an original It (little) Girl that drew me to NYC: Eloise.

Yes, I'm talking about the six-year-old protagonist of the book Eloise at the Plaza and later movies like Eloise at Christmastime. I was obsessed with her Plaza penthouse, her spunk, and, of course, her style. And now, at 27 years old, I have come to the realization that Eloise-esque outfits are not only all over the runways but in my own closet. So, I'm declaring her my official style icon for the 2023 holiday season.

The outfit formula, if you will, is simple. Start with a white blouse — the puffier the sleeves and rounder the collar, the better. Then, add a pleated black skirt. (I personally will be skipping the suspenders, but that's up to you.) Next, and most crucially, is the shoes. Knee-high white socks and a pair of Mary Janes are non-negotiable for the look, but feel free to deviate from classic black. Red, baby blue, or shimmery silver are all fun options, and a bow on the very top of your head will complete your outfit.

It's simple, easy, and classic, and it is a subtle nod to the holidays (what says festive like Christmas at the Plaza?) without being sequin-covered or obvious. Another plus? The "precocious schoolgirl" look is definitely having a moment outside of the holiday season, so it's easier than ever to procure the necessary pieces from pretty much anywhere you shop. Plus, unlike a cocktail dress, you'll definitely get use out of them well after the ball drops on New Year's Eve.

Not into a literal interpretation? You're in luck, as there are plenty of ways to channel our tiny It Girl without directly copying her uniform. A cool tweed skirt set feels like something Eloise might wear as a twenty-something, as does this sheer puffed-sleeve number from Sandy Liang. Or, add a youthful (and on-trend) touch to your go-to LBD by swapping your heels for Mary Janes and slouchy socks. And if Eloise can teach you anything when in doubt, put a bow on it.

She mostly sticks to her signature black and white ensemble, but in the Eloise at Christmastime movie, she does wear three other looks that make excellent inspo to round out the rest of your holiday outfits. First, she swaps her classic look for a red and white version that makes a great case for matching your bow exactly to your skirt. She wears a perfect pair of pink and white striped PJs that would look right at home on Christmas morning. And finally, there's a truly inspired red wool coat and purple sunglasses combo that I've been trying to copy for years.

While I find TikTok's obsession with "dressing for your inner child" cringeworthy, I do think that our taste as kids is formative to our current style. And what better time to indulge in nostalgic fashion than the holidays? If you'd like to join me, shop some of my favorite Eloise-approved items below, and then all you need is a room at the Plaza—or a glass of champagne in the lobby bar. We are grown-ups, after all.

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Read the original article on Byrdie.