by The many events that come with Christmas can often make it feel difficult to style – which one outfit will take you from pub drinks to a walk in the countryside, or Christmas Day lunch to a New Year’s Eve party?
Events run the gamut of indoor and outdoor, casual and formal, day and night, each with a different audience, activity and therefore dress code. Tis the season to break out your best cozy sweaters, yes, but also your head-to-toe sparkle. So how best to approach?
According to the math of fashion, you should balance the inside of each outfit between the frivolity of the festival and something lower. It’s the sartorial equivalent of never doing a smokey eye and a red lip at the same time. Think smart jeans and a silk bow blouse, or silver flares with a black cashmere polo neck and oversized chandelier earrings.
Layers are important – especially if you’re doing outdoor activities or hitting the Boxing Day sales – as are comfortable shoes. In fact, comfort in general is non-negotiable for the entire duration of the festival.
Choose classic pieces that you can wear year after year, such as a pencil skirt or flared trousers. Accessories or jewelery can also do a lot of Christmas leg work – just add oversized earrings, corsage pins and diamante-encrusted hair slides to make any look feel a little more special.
Here are five looks that will work hard this holiday season and beyond.
Pub drinks on Christmas Eve
A trip to the pub on Christmas Eve calls for elevated occasions, something comfortable that accentuates the festive occasion – think metallic jumpers or trousers or with a hint of sparkle. Fashion editor and author Erica Davies agrees. “I generally go for a polished casual kind of approach to dressing,” she says.
“Tactile fabrics are a huge feature; a warm cream cashmere crew neck from Uniqlo or Iris & Ink, or a bright pink Wyse London cashmere tank top over a satin leg sleeve blouse, worn with silver glitter cargo pants and minimal trainers. Or maybe I’d go for black wide leg cargo trousers from Cos, worn with a Fair Isle festival knit from Essentiel Antwerp or Boden, red lipstick and statement earrings.”
Velvet blazer, £129, Hush; Wool trousers, £135, foot; Wool blend jumper, £95, Boden; Gold-plated rings, £390, YSSO; Leather shoes, £65, Oliver Bonas
Christmas Day lunch
Christmas Day decorations divide the nation. One camp prefers pajamas and onesie, while the other embraces dressing up. If you’re the latter (and we think you are) you’ll want to make sure your Sunday best arrives with a loose waistband. Opt for a chic yet simple velvet dress, with the added bonus of a scattering of Christmas glitter, and go all out on your jewelery too.
Don’t forget though – we’re big fans of party flats you can start sitting on the sofa watching the Strictly Christmas special but, most importantly, wear it again for any family photos.
Silk velvet dress, £325, Rixo; Brass rings, £195, Cult of Gaia; Clio Peppiat Crystal and satin hair clip, £125, Clean-a-Porter; Velvet and crystal shoes, £189, Kurt Geiger
A Country Walk
Layers of insulation that you can remove are essential when you’re out and about at this time of year – especially if you end up going in somewhere for a hot chocolate or mulled wine. A nice blouse will look great layered with an on-trend knitted vest, and you can wear jeans, but make sure you can tuck them into boots.
Speaking of, the knee-high, flat type is very glam, but you can’t go wrong with a strong pair of lace ups either, and it’s worth investing in the right warm walking socks – you’ll feel the difference definitely.
The puffa jacket is a wardrobe staple these days, and there are great ones available on the high street, so you don’t need to go out to a separate store. Complete the look with a knitted beanie or balaclava, they are chic and practical.
Silk cotton blouse, £175, ME+EM; Agolde high rise slim leg jumper, £270, Net-a-Porter; Waterproof walking boots, £180, Timberland
Raey ribbed cotton socks, £45, Fashion Matches; Balaclava, £15.99, H&M; Wool blend vest, £55.95, Seasalt
Boxing Day Sales
Hitting the Boxing Day sales in person requires a very comfortable no-nonsense uniform. Pieces that are easy to get in and out of in dressing rooms, or in hot shopping centres, are essential, as is practical footwear – leave any heels at home.
Think Levi’s corduroys in chocolate with mom, paired with a comfy polo neck like this one from Nobody’s Child and New Balance trainers. A turtle shell claw clip adds a frisson of glamor – and keeps your hair out of your face.
straight ribcage cords, £100, Levi on; Jersey top, £35, Nobody’s Child; Trainers, £100, New Balance; Resin hair clip, £26, Tort
New Year’s Eve
“I’m all about making a statement on New Year’s Eve,” says Kipper Club designer Sarah Corbett-Winder, and we’re inclined to agree. This is the time to embrace your maximum side, without sacrificing your comfort, and most importantly, while still feeling like “you”.
This doesn’t mean you have to rock a bodycon or minis – in 2023 it’s all about party pants or statement tops in jewel tones or metallics with fun details like bows. “I’ll be wearing a gold trouser suit from my brand’s new collaboration with Aligne, and a cream organza shirt by With Nothing Underneath, buttoned all the way up, with a wide satin ribbon (hopefully from a Christmas present) tied around my neck or buried under my collar,” shares Corbett-Winder. “Plus some matching bow statement earrings and Penelope Chilvers Mary-Janes for chic comfort.”
Flared trousers, £220, Piper x Alligine; Silk organza shirt, £275, With Nothing below; Brass rings, £270, Acne; Crystal bag, £185, Giarite; Velvet shoes, £219, Penelope Chilvers
