A Very Dolly Christmas with Nashville Glitz and Glamour

There are cities where one might consider toning it down for the holidays. Nashville is not one of them.

This is the season to bring out the velvet, fringe, crystals, statement coats and boots that practically require their own entrance. A floor-skimming velvet dress feels appropriately dramatic, particularly paired with a sharp calf-hair boot. Add a whole lot of gold fringe and take a cue from Dolly: When it comes to glamour, a little extra never hurt anybody. This is Music City, after all.

And yes, you can absolutely wear the extraordinary coat.

The secret is giving all that glamour somewhere to land. Nashville style works because it understands that personality is part of getting dressed. Dressing to the nines is just part of taking in the sounds of Christmas concerts at the Ryman or the whimsical delight of Nashville’s Nutcracker.

Holiday dressing here should feel celebratory, confident and just a touch theatrical. After all, in a city built on performers, disappearing into the background was never really the point.