I never thought I’d draw a parallel between myself and Martin “The Money Saving Expert” Lewis, but today I’m here to be your festival fashion equivalent. You’ve attended carol services, shed your smart coats, plaided around drinks parties, dusted off your knee-high boots, even added a vintage fedora and a fur coat. collar. Winter wardrobe is in full swing. Elegant, long stripes, velvets, cranberry, camel, racing green, cashmere.
Then the big day approaches: “Oh but it’s Christmas, I need something to make me feel great” so it begins… here comes the first “just because” purchase of the season. As of December 27, the line is: “Oh but it’s on sale and I want something new.”
By December 29? “Oh, I hate everything I own, I look like a stuffed turkey in this dress and everyone else is dressing up so I have to make an effort.” Another useless one hit wonder is add to cart paid extra for expedited delivery by DHL so it arrives on time.
Sound familiar? I always ask my styling clients: “Do you do it? Really needing it?” and you don’t always really need something new for New Year’s Eve. Here’s how you can shop your wardrobe and avoid the Road to Hell, in the words of Chris Rea (Discount Buy):
Buy a pair of jeans…
I’m sure 99 percent of people reading this own a pair of classic jeans, probably dozens of pairs. You just need to know how to “upgrade” them (which in fashion means “get smart”) for the final rush of 2023. First of all, don’t wait until 4pm on New Year’s Eve to try them. Remove them immediately. Everything fits “differently” this time of year. Those very long, high-waisted, wide-leg jeans that you’ve always avoided because you can only wear them with platforms or heels? Put them first on your target list.
Mint Velvet Wide leg jeans, £99, john lewis; Suede shoes, £275, Russell and Bromley; Velvet top, £95, aspiga; Silk bag, £195, Grace Wears; Gold-plated earrings, £75, Anni Lu
…Add a jazzy top or sweater
Then find tops that have a naturally “rich” appeal; velvet is a win and this Aspiga top is outstanding. Or try jewel-like tones that you might usually avoid; These are absolute classics. Ruby, emerald, sapphire blue… If you’re not sure, stick to the Quality Street palette.
You can always wear your jeans with the floral top you bought this summer and warm it up with rich nail colors, raspberry lipstick or gold jewelry. Add warmth to summer tones and add gold jewelry for a more winter-appropriate look. See how I paired the bow of this O Pioneers top with the velvet bow in the hair. Little touches that show you’ve thought about the dress code of the night.
Needle cord blouse, £175, Hey Pioneers!; Gold-plated earrings, £75, Anni Lu; Bow hair clip, from a selection, Meri Meri
My personal favorite for a party anywhere (okay, maybe not Sandringham) is to dress up your favorite cardigan, V-neck, or vest. I suggest you wear it with a flourish (I don’t mean a holey, moth-eaten sweater). It may be risky, but it makes a cozy, winter item a little more evening-appropriate, and the comfort factor is top-notch; You’re actually still just wearing a sweater and jeans. Minimal effort – but at least you made the effort because hair and makeup will need more attention if you go this route.
Wool cardigan, £265, dark bluegrey; Satin headband, £18, Anthropology; Earrings, from a selection, Missoma; Gold bangles start from £145, Tilly Sveaas
… Beautify your hair and makeup
Enjoy washing, curling, conditioning, curling or volumizing your hair long before the party. Add a cool headband, no, it doesn’t need to match (I borrowed my daughter’s school headband, it works great). Take the time to do your makeup in a way that you can enjoy on New Year’s Eve.
Bring in metallic shimmery shades (those that sit unused for most of the year). Branch out and put on a “lip,” because whether you’re ringing in the New Year at the bar or at the palace, this is a night you can take it up a notch. Unlike Christmas Day, which is usually spent impressing relatives and requires more of a safety net, you’re more likely to spend the evening with friends. Either way, dress up for your hosts because everyone would prefer their guests to make a little effort this time of year.
Cashmere blend vest, £140, Cefinn; Wool blend blazer, £150, john lewis; Gold plated and cubic zirconia necklace£268.99 and bracelet£214.99, Crystal Haze
Black trousers are your best friend
So where are your black trousers? I suspect your wardrobe was relegated to the office section pre-Covid. Dig them. For this shot, we actually folded the edges of the pants, then applied masking tape (not pins) to hold the edge in place.
Velvet jacket, £455, Wig Kit; Organic cotton vest, £27, Color Standard; Satin headband, £18, Anthropology; Rose earrings, £95, shrimps; Suede belt, £160, ba&sh; Patent leather shoes, £275, Russell and Bromley
A shorter length is a little more evening; an ankle flash in the show. Anyone can experience an evening with cold wrists. Sock marks should be avoided, take off your bed socks/stockings before your guests arrive! You all know that black is a “vehicle” for color (note this blue Boden shirt you may already have in your wardrobe).
Silk blouse, £130, Boden; Suede belt, £160, ba&sh; Gold plated and cubic zirconia necklace, £223.99, Crystal Haze; Gold-plated earrings, £75, Anni Lu; Suede and crystal shoes, £140, Boden
Any silk shirt will look elegant. If you’re not sure how to add color or want to go for a monochrome look, grab the ribbon from the Christmas Day recycling and add a ribbon to your hair, shoulders (no it’s really cute – the Smythson ribbon is really nice) nice and sturdy, for example in a cream colored braid ) or on your jacket.
Ribbons are an easy win and always make your ponytail sing. (Many thanks to VV Rouleaux for preparing these ribbons for our shoot; you can see our video on ribbon tying here.)
Add sparkle
Finally, the LBD… the little black dress is not something that comes around very often. Actually, I don’t like black very much. (As Trinny Woodall said to me one Christmas, “No, honey, you ARE NAVY. YOU ARE NAVY.”) But if you’re looking at a black dress but don’t know how to make it work, it’s time for metallic colors. . These Jigsaw boots were gorgeous and so bold that I avoided going for more sparkle through jewelry or makeup. I let the bots do the talking.
Crepe dress, £149, Ghost; Diamond earrings, £95, shrimps; Leather boots, £275, Jigsaw
Metallics are a great way to shine without feeling it Definitely. They can be super elegant (Rupert Sanderson nailed these, see right). If you don’t have metal shoes or accessories, find your jewelry box and cuddle up. Let the black dress go from funeral to trendy, thanks to lots of swag. Big earrings, clean hair, neat neckline, golden cheeks, shiny lips.
Velvet ribbon from £1.70 per meter V.V. Rouleaux; The shoes belong to Ginnie
Or load up on bracelets, charm bracelets, literally all those items that never come out to play with. More is more, and trust your black dress to guarantee that amount of jewelery will do the trick; I promise you will never end up in the BA Baracus area!
And if you’re staying here…
Can I make one last point? I’m sure many people rolled their eyes when I suggested shopping your wardrobe because it’s so much fun to shop for new items in real time. Of course, you can find new jewelry during the festival/sale period.
You just need to know that you will love them, and that you really will love them—well beyond the aching head on January 1st, well beyond the moment the credit card bill arrives on January 31st, and well into 2024, 2025, 2026. and beyond. The issue at hand? The sparkly shoes I’m wearing (with the black dress above) are actually my wedding shoes. At eleven years old, it’s still gorgeous, it’s still sparkly (it’s still so painful), but it’s totally awesome over and over again.
Sleeper, Removable feather pajama set, £245, Freedom; Shoes, from a selection, Sauvereign; Pearl and crystal earrings, £115, shrimps
Lastly, I chose this for those who don’t go out; A great overall to relax with a glass of wine from Finisterre (don’t spill on that pink). Bed socks or ballet shoes will be your finishing touch.
Organic cotton overalls, £185, Finisterre; Gold-plated and gemstone earrings, £215, Missoma; Mary Jane shoes, £78.77, Vivaia
New Year, New Closet? NO! Work with what you already have! Have a great time.
For more style advice from Ginnie, visit: www.vchstyle.com