by The multitude of events that come with Christmas can often be tricky to manage style-wise: what outfit will take you from a drink in the pub to a walk in the countryside, or from Christmas Day lunch to the Christmas party? New Years Eve?
Events run the gamut: indoor and outdoor, casual and formal, daytime and evening, each with a different audience, activity, and therefore dress code. ‘Tis the season to show off your best cozy sweaters, yes, but also your head-to-toe glow. So what’s the best way to approach it?
Fashion math dictates that within every outfit you should balance any festive frivolity with something more understated. It’s the sartorial equivalent of never wearing a smoky eye and a red lip at the same time. Think sleek jeans and a silk bow blouse, or silver flared pants with a black cashmere polo collar and oversized chandelier earrings.
Layers are important, especially if doing outdoor activities or tackling the Boxing Day sales, as are comfortable shoes. In fact, comfort in general is non-negotiable throughout the festive period.
Opt for classic pieces that you can wear year after year, like pencil skirts or flared pants. Accessories or jewelry can do a lot of the festive work, too—just add oversized earrings, corsage brooches, and diamond-encrusted hair clips to make any look feel a little more special.
Here are five looks that will work hard this holiday season and beyond.
Christmas Eve Pub Drinks
A Christmas Eve trip to the pub calls for elevated casual wear, something comfortable that also nods to the festive occasion: think sweaters or pants with metallics or a hint of sparkle. Fashion editor and author Erica Davies agrees. “I generally prefer to dress casual and polished,” she says.
“Tactile fabrics stand out a lot; a warm cream cashmere crewneck from Uniqlo or Iris & Ink, or a bright pink Wyse London cashmere tank top over a satin blouson sleeve blouse from Cos, paired with silver glitter cargo pants and sneakers minimalist sports. Or you could opt for black wide-leg cargo pants from Cos, paired with a festive Fair Isle knit from Essentiel Antwerp or Boden, red lipstick and statement earrings.”
Velvet jacket, £129, Be quiet; Wool trousers, £135, because; Wool blend jumper, £95, boden; Gold plated earrings, £390, YSSO; Leather shoes, £65, Oliver Bonas
Christmas Day Lunch
Christmas attire divides the nation. One group prefers pajamas and onesies, while the other prefers to dress up. If you’re the latter (and we think you are), you’ll want to make sure your Sunday best comes with a loose waistband. Opt for an elegant yet simple velvet dress, with the added bonus of a festive touch of glitter, and show off your jewelry too.
But forget about heels – we’re big fans of flat party shoes that you can wear when you’re sitting on the couch watching TV. Strictly Christmas special but most of all, wear it again for any family photo.
Silk velvet dress, £325, Rixo; Brass earrings, £195, Cult of Gaia; Clio Peppiat Crystal and Satin Barrette, £125, Net-a-Porter; Velvet and crystal shoes, £189, Kurt Geiger
Walk through the countryside
Insulating layers that you can remove are essential when walking outdoors this time of year, especially if you end up going inside somewhere for a hot chocolate or mulled wine. A nice blouse will look great paired with a trendy knit vest, and you can wear jeans, although make sure you can tuck them into your boots.
Speaking of which, knee-high flats are seriously glamorous, but you can’t go wrong with a sturdy lace-up pair either, and it’s worth investing in warm walking socks – you’ll definitely feel the difference.
The puffa jacket is a wardrobe staple these days, and there are some great ones available on the high street, so there’s no need to go to a dedicated outdoor store. Finish the look with a knitted hat or balaclava, they are elegant and practical.
Silk cotton blouse, £175, I+EM; Agolde High-Rise Skinny Jeans, £270, Net-a-Porter; Waterproof hiking boots, £180, Timberland
Raey Ribbed Cotton Socks, £45, Matches fashion; Balaclava, £15.99, H&M; Wool blend vest, £55.95, Sea salt
boxing day sales
Tackling the Boxing Day sales, in person, requires a strictly comfortable and sensible uniform. Clothes that are easy to put on and take off in changing rooms or fashion malls are essential, as is practical footwear – leave the heels at home.
Think chocolate-colored Levi’s corduroy pants, perfect for mom, paired with a comfortable polo collar like this one from Nobody’s Child and New Balance sneakers. A tortoiseshell claw clip adds a touch of glamor and keeps hair out of the face.
Straight Rib Cage Laces, £100, levis; Knitted T-shirt, £35, The son of No One; Sneakers, £100, New balance; Resin hair clip, £26, grievance
New Years Eve
“My favorite thing is to make a statement on New Year’s Eve,” says Kipper Club designer Sarah Corbett-Winder, and we’re inclined to agree. This is the time to embrace your maximalist side, without sacrificing comfort and vitality, while still feeling “you.”
This doesn’t mean you have to adopt skinny styles or minis: in 2023, it’s all about party pants or statement tops in jewel tones or metallics with fun details like bows. “I’ll be wearing a gold pantsuit from my brand’s new collaboration with Aligne and a cream organza shirt With Nothing Underneath, buttoned all the way up, with a wide satin ribbon (hopefully from a Christmas gift) tied around my neck or tucked under my neck,” Corbett-Winder shares. “Plus, matching statement bow earrings and Penelope Chilvers Mary-Janes for chic comfort.”
Flared trousers, £220, Kipper x Aligne; Silk organza shirt, £275, With nothing underneath; Brass earrings, £270, Acne; Crystal bag, £185, Giarita; Velvet shoes, £219, Penelope Chilvers
