I never thought I’d draw a parallel between myself and Martin “MoneySavingExpert” Lewis, but I’m here today to be your festive fashion equivalent. You’ve attended the carols, you’ve brought out your elegant coats, the tartan has made its rounds at the get-togethers, you’ve dusted off the knee-high boots, you’ve even added the vintage trilby and a fur collar. The winter wardrobe is in full swing. Elegant, long lines, velvet, cranberry, camel, racing green, cashmere.
Then the big day looms: “Oh, but it’s Christmas, I need something to make me feel wow,” so it begins… here comes the first “just because” purchase of the season. On December 27, the line is, “Oh, but it’s on sale and I want something new.”
By December 29? “Oh, I just hate everything I own, I look like a stuffed turkey in this dress, and everyone else is dressed up, so I have to do my best.” Another useless mayfly is added to the shopping cart, paying extra for DHL’s fast delivery so that it arrives on time.
Sounds familiar? I always ask my styling clients: “You too Real need?” and invariably you don’t really need anything new for New Year’s Eve. Here’s how to shop your closet and, in the words of Chris Rea, avoid the road to hell (sale):
Take jeans…
I’m sure 99 percent of you reading this own a pair of classic jeans, probably dozens of pairs. You just need to know how to “elevate” (fashion-speak for “refresh”) them for the last hurray of 2023. First, don’t wait until 4pm on New Year’s Eve to try them on. Take them out now. Everything fits, ahem, “different” this time of year. Those overly long, high-waisted, wide-leg jeans that you always avoid because you can only wear them with platforms or heels? Make them first on your hit list.
Mint Velvet Wide Leg Jeans, £99, John Lewis; Suede shoes, £275, Russell & Bromley; Velvet top, £95, Aspiga; Silk bag, £195, Grace bears; Gold plated earrings, £75, Anni Lu
…Add a jazzy top or sweater
Next, look for tops that naturally have a ‘rich’ appeal; velvet is a win, and this Aspiga top is exceptional. Or try gemstone notes that you would normally avoid; they are total classics. Ruby, emerald, sapphire blue… if you’re not sure, use the Quality Street palette.
You can always wear your jeans with that floral top you bought this summer, and warm it up with rich nail polishes, raspberry lipstick or gold jewelry. Bring warmth to the summery tones and add gold jewelry to make the look even more wintery. See how I combined the bow in this O Pioneers top with a velvet bow in the hair. Small details that show that you have thought about the dress code for the evening.
Needle cord blouse, £175, Oh Pioneers; Gold plated earrings, £75, Anni Lu; Bow hair clip, from a selection, Mare Mare
My personal favorite for a party anywhere (OK, maybe not Sandringham) is to dress up your favorite cardigan, V-neck or waistcoat. I suggest wearing it with visible flesh (I don’t mean that moth-eaten sweater with holes). Daring perhaps, but it makes a cozy winter item a little more evening and the comfort factor is great; you’re still basically just wearing a sweater and jeans. Minimal effort – but at least you’ve done your best, as hair and makeup require more attention if you go this route.
Wool cardigan, £265, Navy gray; Satin Headband, £18, Anthropology; Earrings, from a selection, Missoma; Gold bangles, from £145, Tilly Sveaas
…Strengthen hair and makeup
Enjoy washing, curling, smoothing, twisting or volumizing your hair well before the party. Add a great headband, no, it doesn’t have to match (I borrow my daughter’s school headband, it works a treat). Take the time to apply your makeup in a way that you can enjoy on New Year’s Eve.
Apply metallic shimmer shades (which tend to go unused most of the year). Get out there and put on a lip, because whether you spend your New Year’s Eve in the pub or in a palace, this is a night where you can go the extra mile. You’re more likely to spend the evening with friends, as opposed to Christmas Day, which is often spent impressing the in-laws, requiring more of a safety net. Either way, dress for your hosts, as everyone prefers some effort from their guests at this time of year.
Cashmere blend waistcoat, £140, Cefinn; Wool-blend blazer, £150, John Lewis; Gold plated and zirconia necklace£268.99 and bracelet£214.99, Crystal Haze
Black pants are your best friend
But where are your black pants?! Relegated to the pre-Covid office section of your wardrobe, I suspect. Dig them out. For this shoot, we folded the hems of the pants and then applied painter’s tape (not pins) to hold the hem in place.
Velvet jacket, £455, Wiggy Kit; Organic Cotton Cardigan, £27, Colorful stand; Satin Headband, £18, Anthropology; Rose earrings, £95, Shrimps; Suede belt, £160, ba&sh; Patent leather shoes, £275, Russell & Bromley
A shorter length is a little more evening; a flash of just seeing. Everyone can survive an evening with cold ankles. Sock marks should be avoided, remove your bed/pop socks well before your guests arrive! You all know that black is a ‘vehicle’ for color (note this blue Boden shirt – which may already exist in your wardrobe).
Silk blouse, £130, Boden; Suede belt, £160, ba&sh; Gold plated cubic zirconia necklace, £223.99, Crystal haze; Gold plated earrings, £75, Anni Lu; Suede and crystal shoes, £140, Boden
Any silk shirt looks elegant. If you’re not sure how to add color, or want to go for a monochrome look, grab the ribbon from the recycling on Christmas Day and add a ribbon to your hair, your shoulders (no really, super cute – Smythson ribbon is really good and robust, for example on a cream-colored knit) or your jacket.
Ribbons are easy to win and always make a ponytail sing. (Many thanks to VV Rouleaux for making these ribbons for our shoot – you can watch our ribbon tying video here.)
Add sparkle
Finally, the LBD… the little black dress is not something that comes out very often. I actually don’t like black on me. (As Trinny Woodall told me at a Christmas party, “No no honey, you’re NAVY. YOU’RE NAVY.”) But if you’re staring at a black dress but don’t know how to spruce it up, it’s time for metallics. . These Jigsaw boots were brilliant and so cool that I avoided any further glare via jewelry or makeup. I let the boots do the talking.
Crepe dress, £149 Ghost; Diamond earrings, £95, Shrimps; Leather boots, £275, Puzzle
Metallics are also a great way to shine without feeling Strict. They can be super elegant (Rupert Sanderson has done it with this, see right). And if you don’t have any metal shoes or accessories, find your jewelry box and embrace it. Let the black dress go from funeral to fashionable with lots of swag. Big earrings, clean hair, neat neckline, golden cheeks, glossy lips.
Velvet ribbon, from € 1.70 per meter, VV Rouleaux; Shoes, from Ginnie
Or load up on the bracelets, the charm bracelets, all those items that literally never come out to play. More is more and trust your black dress to guarantee that the amount of jewelry will work; I promise you will never fall into BA Baracus territory!
And if you stay in…
Can I make one last point? I’m sure a lot of people roll their eyes when I suggest shopping your wardrobe, because shopping for new items in real time is so damn fun. Of course you can find new gems during the festive/sale period.
All you have to do is know that you will love them, and I mean love them – far beyond the sore head on January 1st, far beyond the moment the credit card bill arrives on January 31st, and far into the future from 2024, 2025, 2026 and beyond. An example? The glittery shoes I’m wearing (with the black dress above them) are in fact my wedding shoes. Eleven years old, still fantastic, still sparkling (still damn painful) but just completely amazing every time.
Sleeper, pajama set with removable feather trim, £245, Freedom; Shoes, from a selection, Sauvereign; Pearl and crystal earrings, £115, Shrimps
Finally, for everyone who doesn’t go out, I chose this; a lovely jumpsuit from Finisterre to enjoy with a glass of wine (don’t spill it on that pink one). Bed socks or ballerinas provide the finishing touch.
Organic cotton overalls, £185, Finisterre; Gold-plated earrings with gemstones, £215, Missoma; Mary Jane shoes, £78.77, Vivaia
New year, new wardrobe? No! Work with what you already have! Have a great time.
For more style advice from Ginnie, visit www.vchstyle.com