The Festive Season is upon us and although many of you may already have decided on what you will be wearing, for many of us it is another stress to add to our list. If you are hosting a family gathering your thoughts are more about what food and gifts to prepare rather than what you are wearing. Will your credit card take the added burden of another outfit which you may or may not wear again?
Fashion for the Festive Season is varied. From the Fun Christmas Jumpers that our Northern Hemisphere friends wear, to floating kaftans and even bathing suits for those of us celebrating in Summer. For me it is about comfort and being cool, as where I live we certainly don’t have a White Christmas. Christmas Day is usually hot and steamy so something comfortable but stylish is my choice. I asked, Christine Blundell from My Private Stylist and Fashion Editor for Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond to share her thoughts and tips with us to take the stress out of ‘what to wear’.
Shopping from your wardrobe for your Festive Fashion
Last week I was in my local shopping centre and there were a number of parents with children waiting in line to have their photo taken with Santa and among them was a family, Dad, Mum and there children all dressed in their matching Christmas pattern onesies complete with Santa hats on! It brought a smile to my face and Dad didn’t seem to mind in the least who saw him. They certainly were joining in the Christmas spirit.
For many years I always had a tradition of wearing a white outfit on Christmas Day. I can’t really explain why, except to say that I felt Christmas called for wearing white, whether it be with sparkles and shimmers or plain white, there was something really special about it in my mind.
Sometimes it was a white skirt or pants with a white top, but my preference was for a white dress. As I was the cook for the big family Christmas lunch, it wasn’t very practical to say the least! I made sure I wore an apron while in the kitchen, a Christmas apron of course!
While I no longer continue the tradition of wearing only white on Christmas Day, I do like to put a lot of thought and care into what I am going to wear. While we always have a traditional cooked Christmas lunch, I know many choose a bbq or picnic, maybe a day at the beach, which obviously calls for a much more relaxed look. If dining at a restaurant smart casual or dressy depending on the venue.
Whether you dress up or down, the key requirement is COMFORT! to allow for long days, usually involving a lot of food!
I have chosen outfits which cover all situations, many of which feature the colours of Christmas. While time is running out for online purchases and you may not have either time, inclination or finances to buy something new, shopping from your wardrobe is a great idea and helps with environmental issues as well.
The looks I have chosen might give you ideas for things you already own or how you can put together garments you have not previously thought of wearing together, including accessories eg. Bangles, rings, necklaces, shoes. I always love to choose a colour from my garment and pick up that same colour in at least one of my accessories as it helps to bring a look together. I have often meant to buy Christmas earrings but usually forget. Maybe this year I will if I can find some that don’t make me look and feel silly! Having said that, I do like to see them on others as it adds to the happy and festive look.
The most important thing is that you feel good in what you choose to wear, that it expresses who you are, that you don’t spend the day feeling your clothes are too tight or uncomfortable to wear and that you can relax and enjoy your day with family and friends and stay safe if on the roads.
Do you, like I did have a tradition of wearing certain clothes or colours on Christmas Day? I would love you to share them with me, with photos even better!
Have a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas.
Christine x
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7 Comments
So fun to see the summery pieces you southern hemi gals will be styling for Christmas in comparison to our woolly warm layers here in the norther hemisphere. That pink and sage maxi from Birdsnest is lovely. I much prefer that color palette to the typical green and red of Christmas here.
Hi Leslie, yes it must seem strange seeing us in Summer Fashion when you are freezing and rugged up. I’ve had one cold Christmas when we were in London although it didn’t snow. It was very festive though and I enjoyed a very traditional British Christmas. Best wishes to you, Prince Charming and your family for the Christmas and the New Decade. xx
Hi Leslie, yes it’s interesting to see how those living o. Opposite hemispheres dress for Christmas isn’t it? I follow several blogs that have been showing winter Christmas fashions while we are sweltering here I. Australia. I also love that sage and green. Christine x
Hi Sue, this post is timely and very appropriate for my Florida Christmas. I have a couple of jewel toned tops that I pair with black tapered slacks, and I pair winter white slim legged slacks with one of three winter white tops, depending on how hot it is outside. For cooler nights, I throw on a red cardigan and that’s about it. Simple, interchangeable pieces that go from kitchen to cocktails! This is not the time of year for a closet melt down!
Hi Suzanne you certainly have it all worked out and for me keeping it simple is the key. Your idea of interchangeable pieces from kitchen to cocktail is perfect and allows you to just relax without worrying about changing outfits constantly. Enjoy your Festive Season and wishing you all the very best for 2020 and the New Decade. xx
Hi Leslie, yes it’s interesting to see how those living o. Opposite hemispheres dress for Christmas isn’t it? I follow several blogs that have been showing winter Christmas fashions while we are sweltering here I. Australia. I also love that sage and green. Christine x
Hi Suzanne, I love your versatile plan for dressing! Sometimes we can over think things. I also love jewel tops they are so classy and suitable for all occasions. Christine x