US Edition
Sequin sales are peaking for the year. At Marks & Spencer, one sequinned dress, costing £59, has been sold every minute this month. This can only mean one thing; Christmas party season is upon us. With a diary packed full of dos, you’ll want to make an effort whether you’re going out for tipples with colleagues or joining the family for ice skating and hot chocolate. There are sparkles aplenty across the high street, yes, but also more muted pieces that still feel festive. Will you wear a statement coat, or a cocktail skirt, embrace plush velvet, or go all-out in gold? It’s time to get dressed up…
Christmas day
Bethan wears: Wool cardigan, £89.95, Massimo Dutti; tartan trousers, £135, Boden; leather shoes, £295, Russell & Bromley
More and more of us are reportedly wearing pyjamas on Christmas Day, according to John Lewis. Each to their own, but I love the feeling of getting dressed up, even if a few hours later I’m on the sofa in stretchy loungewear. Whether you’re going out for lunch or cooking at home, it’s all about striking the delicate balance between comfortable and merrily festive.
I love this year’s trend of golfing-Dad-meets-Rupert-Bear tartan trousers and could imagine pulling these out for years to come, so they feel like a solid investment – a wide leg style will work well for crouching down to retrieve gifts from under the tree.
Layers are good, too - wear a silky cami or tee if you’re cooking then add a cardigan once you’re done with the gravy. If you’re going out for lunch, a sparkly jacket will elevate the look even more while this year’s Mary Jane trend is the ideal snazzy but slipper-like shoe option. Paper hat and terrible cracker jokes, optional.
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Left to right: Sequin jacket, £179, Mint Velvet; velvet Mary-Janes, £90, Flabelus; checked trousers, £140, Jigsaw
A night at the ballet
Bethan wears: Silk dress, £525, Really Wild; recycled wool coat, £659, LK Bennett; leather boot, £525, Russell & Bromley
One of my favourite festive traditions is going to see The Nutcracker – ideally at the Royal Opera House. I love that this is one of those occasions which people still really seem to make an effort for and it’s a paradise for people watching. This is a moment to embrace all those gorgeous luxurious and opulent winter textures; something silky, something velvety, something furry and/ or something shiny – why not combine them all?
Bring it all together by keeping the palette tonal. My hue of choice might be described as Sugar Plum Fairy pink and feels like a nice alternative to more traditional festive shades, but jewel tones like sapphire or amethyst would be lovely too.
I recently saw NRBY founder Jo Hooper wearing the pink version of her opera coat design at the ROH and she looked spectacular.
This is one of the few occasions when I’d wear heels as you’re mostly sitting down but do keep the journey in mind, too – that chilly train home can be quite the come down after an inspiring evening.
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Left to right: Velvet kimono, £275, Nrby; satin midi dress, £149, Ghost; gold boots, £229, All Saints
Carol service
Stephen wears: Cashmere jumper, from £295, Begg x Co; wool blend coat, £195, John Lewis; leather shoe, 3520, Crockett & Jones
The rosy-cheeked cherubs, soaring verse and flicker of candlelight are all well and good, but those churches can get rather draughty. It’s not the place for “dress up” per se, but a sense of smartness is right and proper in a place of worship. A proper, solid coat, in a British heritage tweed or wool, nods to tradition and feels suitably soft as you settle on those uncomfortable pews. Likewise a chunky knit – consider a festive hue to complement the scene – and some smart wool trousers, rather than jeans. Brogues are a good shout when a degree of smartness is called for, but as the most “casual” of all the formal shoes they’re less corporate and more harmonious with country fabrics.
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Left to right: Cashmere jumper, from £295, Beggxco; wool blend coat, £156, John Lewis; leather shoes, £490, Crockett & Jones
Christmas lights
Stephen wears: Velvet smoking jacket, £495, Oliver Brown; tailored trouser, £45, Marks and Spencer; silk scarf, £155, New & Lingwood; leather shoes, £245, Russell & Bromley
You don’t need me to tell you that glossy velvet is a considered way for a man to put on a bit of ritz at Christmas without looking like a game show host. There’s a luxurious lustre to it that works well at this time of year, usually via evening jackets (which aren’t just for black tie – one with a pair of jeans works well too), but consider also the handsome alternative of one with a Nehru collar. It’s more cosy, which is helpful for outdoor festivities, and looks a little bit more unique. Add a glossy pair of shoes and you’ll look debonair without being overly peacocky.
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Clockwise from top left: Wool-cashmere trouser, £295, Paul Smith; velvet blazer, £298, Reiss; leather loafers, £280, Loake
Neighbours’ drinks
Tamara wears: Wool jumper, £375, Wiggy Kit; houndstooth skirt, £455, Wiggy Kit; leather boots, £215, Bobbies
Doug and Susie at number 43 claim their Christmas drinks party is a casual affair, but you know from the lavish tree in their window that it’s anything but. So you need to make an effort – even if you feel a bit bah humbug inside. There’s no greater gift to your host than a bit of enthusiasm (along with a nice bottle, of course), and your look will help express that. For me, it’s a red lip and this swishy, metallic skirt, but with a knit, so it’s not too OTT - and heels, because I’m only crossing the road so there won’t be a painful hobble home afterwards.
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Tamara wears: Cashmere jumper, £380, Aethel; reversible gilet, £89.99, Mango; corduroy trouser, £34.90, Uniqlo; leather clog, £225, Russell & Bromley
You’ve got the tickets to the most scenic rink around, now it’s time to plan the outfit, which requires more consideration than many realise. Practicality is critical, and unless your skill level is something close to Torvill and Dean, I’d recommend hardy trousers, like these durable canvas trousers, £95, to protect your knees if you tumble on the ice. You’ll warm up quickly once you get moving, so a gilet may be more comfortable and allows for more movement than a big coat. And don’t forget the footwear – these slingback clogs will make for quick changes in and out of rental boots in the inevitably crowded changing area.
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Left to right: Covey reversible quilt gilet, £158, Varley; cable-knit lambswool jumper, £200, Genevieve Sweeney; Yarrel canvas trousers, £95, Finisterre
Office party
Caroline wears: Metallic skirt, £59.99, Mango; cashmere jumper, £85, Marks and Spencer; disc-Embellished bag, £189.99 Paco Rabanne x H&M; velvet slingback, £99, Phase Eight; gold plated necklace, £85, Astrid & Miyu
The jumper and cocktail skirt combination comes into its own for many occasions this Christmas season – not least for the annual office party. Find a statement gold skirt from Cefinn, Aligne or Hush, and team with a casual knit or even a crisp shirt. You could even wear this look with a pair of black tailored trousers in the day, if you were heading straight out after work. I like the idea of going all in when it comes to metallics – look for supersized paillette accessories, always made with recycled sequins, of course.
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Clockwise from top left: Chocolate poplin shirt, £95, With Nothing Underneath; gold leather skirt, £390, Cefinn; silver leather flats, £450, Malone Souliers
Day into evening
Caroline wears: Silk top, £395, Vince; own jeans; jewelled belt, £110, Camilla Elphick; velvet platform sandals, £179, Penelope Chilvers; gold vermeil earrings, £178, Mejuri
Aside from the babe in the manger, this is surely a most common Christmas vignette; you’ve been out all day, and have no time left to get ready. Rather than arriving underdressed in the clothes you’ve had on since breakfast, or frantically attempting to do something to jazz up your hair, I’d suggest these simple outfit tweaks.
Firstly, if you know you’ll need a look that takes you from “day to do” wear black jeans as your base. From there it’s a case of swaps; off with the jumper, on with the shimmery top. Off with the stud earrings, on with the dazzlers. Off with the trainers, on with a velvet heel. And so on. You can perform as many of these switches as time will allow - and if you’re truly changing on the go, remember to check whether there’s a cloakroom to stow the extras in.
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Clockwise from top left: Metallic shirt, £89, Hush; 18k gold plated earrings, £32, Orelia London; Ziggy bag, £230, Stine Goya