What to wear at Christmas? Of course the answer is, as ever, anything you damn well please, but we all like to have a few extra ideas so I’m here to facilitate that for you. There’s also more to Christmas than just Dec 25th: there are places to go, people to see, cheese boards to be eaten, plenty of outfits that need to be worn. Contrary to popular belief, it’s also not actually the law to wear lots of sequins. I’m not a big fan and you CAN get through this festive period without having to dress up like a glitter ball if that’s not your bag.
Also, sequins are not really conducive to standing over a hot hob attempting to construct a brussels sprout gratin. Yes, a sprout gratin is on the cards for us this year. My husband has a recipe pinned to the fridge, so we shall see how it works out. I love a good sprout so I’ll eat them in any shape or form. My favourite is deconstructed, deep-fried sprouts topped with breadcrumbs and parmesan. I’ve never cooked it, but I ate A LOT of that in Vancouver this summer. Enough about vegetables, let’s get on with the looks…
TRAVELLING
Chances are you’ll be on the road this festive period. I would say ‘or on a train’, but good luck with that. You will need a cosy, comfortable outfit that’s casual but not full loungewear. I have everything in this look and I plan on wearing exactly this. Actually, tell a lie, I didn’t buy the Fair Isle sweater from COS as I have a perfectly serviceable one from Toast that I bought a few years ago, but I can attest that if you’re looking for a simple, semi-festive winter jumper that you can wear right through until March, this one is excellent. The merino wool means it’s 100% NOT itchy, which is a must.
1. Cos Fairisle merino wool jumper
2. Uniqlo cashmere knitted beanie hat
4. Cos recycled wool wide leg crop trousers
5. Air & Grace Camino navy suede and shearling boots
CHRISTMAS EVE
I wore my velvet jumpsuit on actual Christmas Day last year. This navy one from NRBY. I will be wearing it again this festive period. In fact I’ve worn it many times throughout the year too, definitely not just for Christmas. I like that it has a detachable belt so you can really relax after lunch without any kind of restriction. I’ll pair it with my mid-high-top D.A.T.E. trainers. Like Golden Goose, they have a little lift in the heel so they make your legs look slimmer – don’t ask me how, they just do. But unlike GG, they are slightly more affordable. Especially if you can find them on sale. Comfortable too.
2. Joanie short sleeve velvet jumpsuit
3. D.A.T.E Sport high silver edged leather trainers
4. Essex Glam gold glitter Mary janes flats
CHRISTMAS DAY
I think this year I will wear a dress. It will be one that has no embellishments, no cling and no restrictive waistband because I WILL be eating A LOT. We are going to my parents and my mother is an excellent cook. This year, we’ve all promised to pitch in. I’m doing the roast potatoes in my magic potato pan (I don’t know how it does it, but it makes the potatoes SO crispy – it really is magic), and I will also be in charge of the starter, which is always prawn cocktail, because why wouldn’t it be? And we’ll all be up in arms if Mother doesn’t make the traditional cranberry and lemonade jelly for dessert.
A velvet dress would be the perfect option. It keeps you warm without the need to ruin the look with a cardi, it’s festive, and it feels just a little bit luxurious. Pair with flat shoes because, really, who’s wearing heels around the house all day?
1. Seraphina Button Flounce olive green velvet dress
2. Shyla gold plated glass stone drop earrings
3. Batsheva floral trim short velvet dress
4. Moi London olive velvet Mary Jane shoes
5. Boden pearl strap ballerina flats
DRINKS WITH THE NEIGHBOURS
A chance to wear your festive knit. It doesn’t have to be a novelty Christmas jumper à la Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones, but there’s always a place for a bit of jazzy detail on your sweater. As you should know by now, I don’t like buying anything for a specific occasion. I like my clothes to be worn on multiple outings, so that’s why I picked this Boden glitter bow cardigan as my one festive purchase this year. It’s something I can see myself wearing a lot. The perfect top for ‘just jeans and a nice top’ at this time of year.
1. Boden embellished party knit jacket
2. Claudie Pierlot victorian collar blouse
3. Frame Le High straight leg jeans
4. Maison M silk velvet pouch bag
5. Helix & Conch freshwater pearl gold hoop earring
6. Boden bow embellished flats
TO THE FOOTBALL
Once upon a time, panto was the order of the day on Boxing Day. Now that mantle has been handed down to the smaller nieces while we head over to new Griffin Park for Brentford v Spurs. That calls for a completely different outfit. The BIG coat will be on, and I shall sport the red and white striped scarf that I have FINALLY finished knitting. Only took me about nine months to get around to completing it. The thermals will be on: Uniqlo heattech top and leggings always. Unfortunately, they don’t sell hot beef juice (Bovril) at the new stadium so I might be forced to take a flask of my own. Plus some After Eights or Matchmakers for the half-time snack situation.
1. Whistles Frankie ribbed wool jumper
3. Arket long down puffer coat
4. Albaray dark denim boyfriend jeans
5. Ganni ribbed stripe beanie hat
6. Blundstone 508 Chelsea boots
LOUNGING AT TWIXMAS
For sitting around doing nothing and asking each other ‘What day is it?’, how about a touch of luxe loungewear? Something that you can wear all day at home, but is still suitable for throwing a coat over and heading to the pub for a mulled wine and a baked Camembert if the urge takes you.
1. Anine Bing Harvey hooded sweatshirt
2. Karen Millen Italian wool oversized maxi coat
3. WAT the brand cashmere mix joggers
4. Pure Luxuries Cashmere merino socks
5. Ugg ultra mini short sheepskin boots
So that’s all for this year. Thanks so much for your continued support and for reading my articles week in and week out. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I will be back in the new year with the annual January sales round-up.
K x
