This week, it’s not glitter and glitz, but it does have a festive feel to it, with six Christmas outfit ideas for you that cover the whole period. I’ve gone heavy on the red, too, because if you can’t wear red at this time of year, when can you? Let’s dive straight in…
TRAVELLING
Will you be driving home for Christmas à la Chris Rea? If so, you will need a comfortable, casual look for the journey. Which service station will you choose? Will you settle for a Moto with a crappy Costa and McDonalds? Or will you keep driving in the hope that the next one will be a Welcome Break Extra with a Starbucks, a Leon and a Waitrose shop? Either way, I will ALWAYS treat myself to a Krispy Kreme when on the road because driving deserves a sugary sweet treat.
I am au fait with many UK service stations as I spent seven years of my working life in the late 90s/early 00’s being a regional radio plugger. I had to drive up and down the country visiting all the local radio stations, trying to persuade them to play the things I was pushing. It was easy when it was Robbie Williams, but not so easy when it was 21st Century Girls. If you don’t recall them, it’s because they had one single that barely anyone played, it charted with a bullet at number 16 and the album only ever got released in Japan. Some you win, some you lose. But I do know a good service station when I see it…
- Ganni Strawberry logo wool jumper (use coed KATE15 for 15% off)
- John Lewis red cashmere scarf
- Ami de Coeur wool beanie hat
- Whistles Hollie straight leg crop jeans
- Uniqlo warm quilted padded jacket
- Ivy Ellis crew socks
- Arket faux fur lined leather boots
CHRISTMAS EVE
Christmas Eve was (and still is) my favourite day of the festive season. It’s because of the anticipation, which is always better than the actual day, isn’t it? Now my boys are older, we don’t get so much of the pent-up excitement. Luckily, I have many small nieces who keep that going, with the added bonus of not being the parent that they wake up at 5am.
Also, we have the traditional glazed gammon with jacket potatoes on Christmas Eve, and that edges the turkey for the best meal. In fact, it’s only the trimmings that keep turkey in the running. It would be nothing without its stuffing and pigs in blankets. It would just be a giant roast chicken, but not as nice.
- Kitri red puff shoulder cardigan
- Loel gold plated silver chunky pearl necklace
- COS ribbed jersey long sleeve top
- Frame wide leg flared jeans
- Mango fur effect coat
- Adidas Handball Spezial suede trainers
CHRISTMAS DAY
I’m going with the ‘I like to dress up a bit’ option for this, as I’ve never been someone who hangs around in pyjamas on the big day. I get it but, personally, I think Christmas should be a time when you pull out your better clothes. We don’t get a chance to wear our good outfits very often so, even if we’re slaving over a pan of sprouts, it’s still nice to wear a frock. This year, I’m probably going with my tartan dress from The Well Worn with a comfortable, pretty shoe and the ring I designed with Sarah Verity (there’s still a handful left!).
- The Well Worn Stewart tartan flora dress
- Dôen check woven midi shirt dress
- Sarah Verity x Kate Hiscox rose & green quartz adjustable ring
- Sam Edelman velvet square toe Mary Jane flats
- New Look velvet diamanté flats
DRINKS WITH THE NEIGHBOURS
Someone asked me to do a blog on outfits that look good without shoes for when the host asks you to take them off. But, I’m sorry – unless you have a pure white carpet, no kids and no pets, then you have no right to demand your guests take their shoes off at the door and completely ruin the look of their outfit. But if in doubt, make sure you wear your best socks, not the ones with worn-away toes. I think this outfit would work without shoes as the ballet pumps are basically slippers, anyway. I love this little checked jacket from River Island, which would look just as good with jeans and boots for a smart/casual festive outfit.
- River Island red check bouclé short jacket
- Katie Mullally gold plated penny fathering pendant *use code KATE15 for 15% off)
- V by Laura Vann pearl drop earrings
- Boden black velvet trousers
- By Søren Greta blanket bag
- H&M black sheer sleeve top
- Mango velvet ballerina pumps
THE FESTIVE FOOTBALL FIXTURES
I know this won’t apply to many of you, but for me and the boys it very much does. We’ve got Wolves at home on the 27th and then Crystal Palace away on the 30th. I love the away matches. I’m not fanatical enough to go to the ones that are more than two hours’ drive away, but I’ll always go to the London derbies if I can. It’s tribal, it’s exciting, it’s a bonding experience if you have teenagers and I think it’s something everyone should experience once in their life before they deride football.
The trick here is LAYERS. I always take my Uniqlo pack-away gilet in my bag (it fits into the Tardis bag along with half-time snacks and season tickets), and I put it on at half-time when the wind whips up. A scarf, hat and gloves are also essentials.
- Rotate Birger Christensen rib knit jumper
- Hades Wool Anarchy in the UK scarf
- & Other Stories oversized puffer jacket
- Raey Dad organic cotton baggy jeans
- Black & Beech Feminist fingerless gloves
- Uniqlo ultra light down compact vest
- Boden leopard lace up ankle boots
TWIXMAS
‘What day is it?’ ‘Is the tip open?’ ‘Does anyone want to share this wheel of camembert?’ You know the drill. Anything goes, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere and that Baileys won’t drink itself. This, for me, is the time when it’s OK to stay in your PJs all day. I don’t think the man at Londis would bat an eye if you popped in for milk in your dressing gown and slippers. To be fair, I don’t think he would at any time of year, but it’s definitely acceptable between Christmas and New Year. I’ve added some luxe cashmere alternatives, which I bet will go in the sale soon (if they haven’t already).
- H&M checked pyjama set
- COS funnel neck pure cashmere jumper
- COS cashmere socks
- M&S pure cashmere tapered leg joggers
- Ugg black sheepskin mini boots
- Ugg Tasman sheepskin slippers
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. Thanks for reading my nonsense this year. I will be back for you before the end of the year with a big sales roundup.
K x
