After a not-at-all festive and rather draining couple of months of job applications and interviews taking up most of my time, I've decided I'm long overdue a return with a holly-jolly-Christmas edition of Smarten Up before the year is out. With an eye still firmly fixed on matters of style, I'm thinking about those festive dressing traditions and that warm glow of nostalgia that make this my favourite time of year, and of knitted treats, staying warm, and possibly even retaining a shred of style...
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| It's that time of the year again....! |
Living in England, snow is never a certainty and you're probably more likely to have a blustery, washed out Christmas day, but on the few seasons when we've had a white Christmas, it's always been a pretty magical thing for me. One of my fondest memories is of being out in the snow watching friends merrily sledging away with my first love (my then-boyfriend) sharing a scarf (ahh... knitwear, enabling romance since time-immemorial). So my first piece of advice is to get yourself an extra-long scarf and wrap it around the neck of your beloved for some instant winter warmth. Worth a shot.... and if all else fails at least you'll look good.
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ASOS Long Basic Scarf: £12
(In red, the ultimate Christmas colour too...) |
More on the theme of knitwear (a subject I could wax lyrical about frankly), I'd say a winter jumper is an essential. Novelty motifs only if you must, but I'd prefer and Aran or Fairisle knit, or possibly a nordic ski-style for their classic appeal.
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| The Classic Aran Knit, a wardrobe staple |
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| Ralph Lauren Cashmere Fairisle Sweater - one to pinch from the nearest stylish chap |
So now we've got the knits covered, what are we going to do to keep those toes toasty in the snow?
As one of those people with an outrageous lack of physical co-ordination, snow and ice are pretty much the enemy of my dignity. I learned the hard way the year before last that a) I'm incapable of staying vertical on ice and b) I owned NO sensible footwear. It is highly possible that b) was the primary influencing factor on a)... So I invested in some wellies. Something I am not proud of and that pains me somewhat. It had to be Hunters. I'm an investment shopper and hey, if it's good enough for HRH, then it's good enough for me.
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Hunter Tall Wellingtons: £75
image source: bootpick.wordpress.com |
Plain black always for me, or - if you fancy - farmer-esque khaki green for classic country sloane chic. But NEVER any novelty colours/glitter finishes if you're over the age of 8. Unless you want to look like Coleen Rooney or someone from TOWIE of course...
Another thing that always evokes wintery style for me is plaid (or tartan if you prefer), which - fear not - needn't be in the form of a kilt. A plaid shirt is great with jeans and an oversized cardigan, or for just a nod to the style a tartan scarf is perfect. My favourite varities for the season are the classic royal Stewart, dress Stewart or dress Gordon families.
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| Royal Stewart Tartan Scarf |
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| Dress Stewart Tartan Scarf |
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| Dress Gordon Tartan Scarf |
Accessorising can be pretty
and practical at this time of year. Mittens are my favourite for keeping your hands warm and also adding a pop of colour or texture to a winter's day outfit...
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Topshop Tobacco Faux Fur Trim Mittens: £16 now £10 |
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90s Christmas style icon Macauly Culkin as Kevin McAllister shows us how it's done with his traditional festive accessories... Red Scarf, adorable Reindeer-knit bobble hat, plaid-hooded coat... it's everything you want at this time of year. What's not to like?
And what do we wear on the big day itself? In my experience it usually starts with your favourite festive dress (maybe a bit of velvet or something sequinned) and then goes slowly downhill with the addition of your new Christmas slippers, a paper crown courtesy of your dinner table crackers and all sorts of novelty bits and bobs you collect along the way. It really doesn't matter so long as you're not dressed like these fine folks...
So may your days be merry and bright... with a touch of festive style.
Happy Holidays!
Until next time...
h x
