One of our fave fashionistas shares her tips for dazzling during the festive season with a few extra-special handmade and vintage finds.

Tara Mazuki wears a festive holiday party outfit from Etsy
Photo by: Tara Mazuki

From eggnog-fueled tree-trimming shindigs to four-course candlelit feasts, the annual holiday party whirlwind is officially underway—and so is our outfit-planning. This year, to help us spend less time fussing in front of the mirror and more time making merry, we’re following the lead of Irish-born style maven Tara Mazuki, aka effortlessly cool Instagram it girl @tarmarz. “I love a good capsule wardrobe,” says the Brooklyn-based content creator and Etsy Insider, who’s perfected the art of mixing chic staples with showstopper accent pieces. “I’m drawn to really great basics that never go out of style—but I also love to dress up in things that are a little more fun or exciting.” So it’s no surprise that when we tapped Tara to put together a celebratory look from her favorite Etsy finds, the die-hard vintage lover paired versatile, neutral separates with thoughtfully selected statement pieces to create a sparkly, soiree-ready ensemble with staying power. Read on to learn more about Tara's Etsy picks, and get inspired to create your own glamorous get-up in time for New Year’s.


Tara Mazuki in her Brooklyn loft, wearing a festive holiday party outfit from Etsy as she decorates her Christmas tree

Tell me about the holiday party outfit you put together.


The core piece that I styled everything else around was this stunning vintage silk hostess dress from the ‘50s. I felt like it would be amazing to wear on its own as a dress, or as a jacket draped over something a bit simpler. I really wanted to let it shine, so I created a look with two layers: the dramatic, gold-flecked statement jacket on top, with a more understated vintage ivory skirt and gold knit tank underneath to complement it.


What was your approach to accessorizing?


There are lots of little elements of gold throughout the main outfit, but instead of going for an entirely matchy-matchy look, I wanted to pick an unexpected, contrasting hue for the shoes and earrings. To stand out against the lovely periwinkle of the jacket, I chose a deep, rusty red. I thought that would really pop! I also personalized the look with a beautiful dual-stone opal ring because opal is my birthstone.


Polymer clay statement earrings from Xenia Studio
SHOP: Polymer clay statement earrings from Xenia Studio, $40

Tara Mazuki models a festive holiday party outfit from Etsy
SHOP: Vintage silk dress and vintage gold handbag from Etsy, prices vary

Why are you so drawn to vintage pieces?


If everyone's always shopping at the same stores it can be very hard to develop a true sense of personal style, but adding a unique vintage piece—something special that no one else has and that’s a little more rare—is a really nice way to express yourself. And I love vintage cuts! Things like vintage men's blazers, for example, just have a striking silhouette to them. They're very hard to replicate. I also love to buy bags from the ‘40s and ‘50s—they make me feel so elegant and ladylike! 


What tips can you share when shopping for vintage on Etsy?


I think the key is to make sure you really know your measurements. I meet so many people who know their sizing, but they don't know their actual measurements. Get the tape measure out and jot down the circumference of your waist, hips, and chest—because when you vintage shop, especially online, you're way more likely to get the perfect fit if you have exact numbers. I find that's the easiest way to get it right every single time.


Dual-stone opal ring from Rachel Pfeffer
SHOP: Dual-stone opal ring from Rachel Pfeffer, $68

Close-up shot of Tara's vintage red shoes and vintage gold handbag from Etsy
SHOP: Vintage gold handbag and vintage high heels from Etsy, prices vary

Tara Mazuki models a festive holiday party outfit from Etsy

You built this look with repurposing in mind. Which pieces are you most excited to wear in the new year and beyond?


The vintage bag is probably the most festive piece because of its glitzy gold color, but I can totally imagine wearing it with a white T-shirt and jeans year-round. And the skirt I'll pair with sneakers and a T-shirt for spring or summer. That's the way I approach my wardrobe: I love to go for things that I'll wear again and again. 


Outfit photographs courtesy of Tara Mazuki. Item photographs courtesy of Xenia Studio and Rachel Pfeffer.


Shop more holiday party style