There is something about the holidays that gives you permission to be a little bolder. The colors, the atmosphere, the energy in the room all conspire to make you want to show up differently. And that Tuesday before Christmas, I decided to lean into every bit of it, starting with this green Zara mini dress that I had been waiting for exactly the right moment to wear.

Our firm’s annual Christmas luncheon is always one of my favorite traditions of the year. It is the kind of event where the work pauses just long enough for everyone to breathe, laugh, and actually enjoy each other’s company outside of case files and deadlines. We gathered at Walker’s Drive-In here in Jackson, Mississippi, a true Jackson institution and one of those places that always makes you feel like you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

This year, I made a decision early on: I was wearing green.

THE DRESS: A ZARA TAILORED MINI THAT MEANT BUSINESS

I found this green tailored mini dress from Zara and knew immediately it was the one. It is the kind of piece that walks that perfect line between polished and festive, structured enough for a professional setting but with enough personality to remind the room that yes, you dressed with intention today.

The silhouette is tailored and clean, and the green is rich without being costume-like. It is the kind of color that photographs beautifully and reads even better in person. I had originally envisioned pairing it with my neutral color Ralph Lauren high boots, but Santa decided to deliver one of my gifts early.

THE PIVOT: TORY BURCH BOOTS AND A PAIR OF TRUSTY PANTYHOSE

The Tory Burch Miller Mixed-Materials Lug Sole Boots were on my Christmas list and Santa dropped them off early. So the day of the Christmas luncheon I decided on an edgy look vs. a a more elevated fashion moment.

Tory Burch is my favorite designer and I genuinely love what she and her brand stand for. She built something that speaks to women who want style and substance at the same time, and that resonates with me deeply. So pulling on these boots for the first time felt like a little celebration all on its own.

Paired with the green Zara mini dress and my trusty pantyhose, the boots brought just the right amount of edge to keep the look feeling fresh and intentional. Retail: $458 and worth every single penny.

There is this saying that pantyhose are the necessary evil of every well dressed woman.

ON DRESSING FOR THE ROOM YOU ARE ALREADY IN

I think sometimes we underestimate the power of showing up to an everyday moment dressed with care. The Christmas luncheon is not a red carpet. It is not a gala or a press event. It is a Tuesday afternoon with the people you work alongside every day. And that is precisely why it matters.

Dressing with intention is not reserved for the big moments. It is actually most powerful in the in-between ones, the Tuesday lunches, the weekday celebrations, the moments that might not make anyone’s highlight reel but are very much part of the story of your life.

Green felt festive. Green felt like joy. And walking into Walker’s that afternoon, I felt like myself, which is always, always the goal.

THE DETAILS

Dress: Zara Tailored Mini Dress, on sale for $79.99 at the time of this post

Boots: Tory Burch Miller Mixed-Materials Lug Sole Boot, Retail $458

Venue: Walker’s Drive-In, Jackson, Mississippi

Until next time, keep glowing.

Bea