I Traded My Full-On Disco-Ball Look For This $32 Party Top and Never Looked Back

With the enthusiasm of my 10th grade self in a school play, I like to commit fully to the holiday festivities and go all in with a sequin-covered skirt, feather-trimmed pants, or gilded jacket. I never minded the effort; I relished in it. Then somewhere between gift shopping and binge-watching The Great British Baking Show, it was 8 p.m. on a Saturday night, trying to get out the door with a babysitter in the living room and, well, nothing to wear. I hadn't taken the time to "craft" a holiday outfit, hadn't planned through the jewels, accoutrements, and smattering of sequins I'd adorn myself with to wow on the holiday party circuit. All I had was this glittery sweater top ($32) lying on the bed in a pile — still balled up with the jeans I had paired it with on Friday afternoon. What the hell? I threw it on with silky skirt and a pair of heels, caught myself in the mirror, and thought, "OK, MOM."

At my husband's "fancy" work dinner, friend's crowded house party, and late-night pit stop for pizza, the reactions were all the same. "Where did you get that top?" I seemed to have underestimated my $32 find from the POPSUGAR Collection at Kohl's. This little baby proved to be my wardrobe secret weapon — holiday sparkle without the full blown effort. The next week, I added it to jeans again at the office and wore it right to holiday drinks with friends. It seemed to bring the holiday cheer all on its own — no chandelier earrings, metallic heels, or sequined dresses required. Part of me misses the extra glam, but mostly, I'm leaning into my lazy-girl party look, happily wrapping presents and catching up on my Netflix queue knowing that whole "what do I wear tonight?" business is covered.