The myriad of events that Christmas brings can often be tricky to navigate style-wise: what outfit will take you from drinks in a pub to a country walk, or from a Christmas Day lunch to a New Year’s Eve party?
Events vary from indoors and outdoors, informal and formal, day and night, each with a different audience, activity and therefore dress code. ‘Tis the season to break out your coziest sweaters, yes, but also to shine from head to toe. So what’s the best way to approach it?
Fashion mathematics dictates that with every outfit you have to compensate for any festive frivolity with something calmer. It’s the sartorial equivalent of never doing a smokey eye and a red lip at the same time. Think of neat jeans and a silk blouse with a bow, or silver flared trousers with a black cashmere turtleneck and oversized chandelier earrings.
Layers are important – especially if you’re doing outdoor activities or tackling the Boxing Day sales – as are comfortable shoes. Comfort in general is non-negotiable throughout the festive period.
Choose classic pieces that you can wear year in and year out, such as pencil skirts or flared trousers. Accessories or jewelry can also do a lot of the festive legwork – just add oversized earrings, corsage brooches and diamond-encrusted hair clips to make any look that little bit more special.
Here are five looks that will work hard this holiday season and beyond.
Christmas Eve pub drinks
A trip to the pub on Christmas Eve calls for sophisticated casual clothing, something comfortable that also gives a nod to the festive occasion — think sweaters or trousers in metallics or with a hint of glitter. Fashion editor and author Erica Davies agrees. “I generally opt for a polished, casual way of dressing,” she says.
“Tactile materials are heavily present; a warm cashmere cream crew neck from Uniqlo or Iris & Ink, or a bright pink Wyse London cashmere tank top over a Cos satin blouse with blouson sleeves, worn with silver glitter cargo trousers and minimalist trainers. Or I go for black cargo pants with wide legs from Cos, worn with a festive Fair Isle knit from Essentiel Antwerp or Boden, red lipstick and statement earrings.”
Velvet blazer, £129, Quiet; Wool trousers, £135, Cos; Wool-blend jumper, £95, Boden; Gold plated earrings, £390, YSSO; Leather shoes, £65, Oliver Bonas
Lunch on Christmas Day
Christmas clothing divides the nation. One camp prefers pajamas and onesies, while the other prefers dressing up. If you’re in the latter case (and we think you are), you’ll want to make sure your Sunday best comes with a loose waistband. Opt for a chic yet simple velvet dress, with the added bonus of a festive glitter layer, and go all out with your jewelry.
But forget heels: we’re big fans of party flats that you can kick off while you’re sitting on the couch watching the show. Strict Christmas special, but, crucially, can be worn again for family photos.
Silk velvet dress, £325, Rixo; Copper earrings, £195, Cult Gaia; Clio Peppiat Crystal and Satin Hair Clip, £125, Net-a-Porter; Velvet and Crystal Shoes, £189, Kurt Geiger
Rural walk
Layers of insulation that you can remove are essential when walking outside at this time of year, especially if you’re stopping in for hot chocolate or mulled wine. A beautiful blouse looks great in combination with a trendy knitted cardigan, and you can also wear jeans, but make sure you can tuck them into boots.
Speaking of which, the knee-high flat socks are very glamorous, but you can’t go wrong with a pair of sturdy lace-up boots either, and it’s worth investing in some good warm hiking socks – you’ll definitely feel the difference .
The puffa jacket is an essential part of your wardrobe these days, and there are some great ones available on the high street so you don’t have to go to a specific outdoor store. Complete the look with a knitted hat or balaclava, they are chic and practical.
Silk cotton blouse, £175, ME+EM; Agolde High Waist Slim Leg Jeans, £270, Net-a-Porter; Waterproof walking boots, £180, Timberland
Raey ribbed cotton socks, £45, Matches with fashion; Balaclava, £15.99, H&M; Wool Blend Cardigan, £55.95 Sea salt
Sales on Boxing Day
Taking a personal approach to Boxing Day sales requires a strictly comfortable, no-nonsense uniform. Garments that are easy to put on and take off in changing rooms or popular shopping centers are essential, as is practical footwear – leave heels at home.
Think mom-fit Levi’s cords in chocolate, combined with a comfortable turtleneck sweater like this one from Nobody’s Child and New Balance sneakers. A tortoiseshell clip adds a touch of glamor – and keeps your hair out of your face.
Straight ribcage cords, £100, Levi’s; Jersey top, £35, Nobody’s child; Sports shoes, £100, New balance; Resin hair clip, £26, Unlawful act
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 largely agree. This is the time to embrace your maximalist side, without sacrificing comfort, and in a vital way, while still feeling like ‘you’.
This doesn’t mean you have to embrace bodycon or minis; in 2023 it’s all about party pants or statement tops in jewel or metallic tones with fun details like bows. “I’m wearing a gold pantsuit from my brand’s new collaboration with Aligne, and a With Nothing Underneath cream organza shirt, buttoned all the way up, with a wide satin ribbon (hopefully from a Christmas gift) tied around my neck or tucked under my collar,” says Corbett-Winder. ‘Plus a pair of matching bow earrings and Penelope Chilvers Mary-Janes for chic comfort.’
Flared trousers, £220, Kipper x Aligne; Silk organza shirt, £275, With nothing underneath; Copper earrings, £270, Acne; Crystal bag, £185, Giarite; Velvet shoes, £219, Penelope Chilvers