It’s a day when nobody is quite sure what to wear. You’re in the bosom of your family, regressing into a role you haven’t played since childhood, and as such, you want to be low and loose. The TV is on, the fire is roaring, and yet flopping around in your dressing gown isn’t going to look right as relatives or friends burst through the door full of festive cheer. You’ll want to mark the day with a little effort, pazzaz and glamour, even if only your grandmother is going to compliment you. Still, it’s Christmas, so you’d be forgiven for throwing all the usual rules of fashion and etiquette right out of the window. Jesus Christmas, we’re so confused here!
Still, the question remains: do you pay tribute to the Christmases of your youth and stay in your loungewear, or should you dress up in something sparkly and festive for those inevitable family snaps? However you’re spending the big day this year, here are 5 IDEAL outfits for Christmas Day.
The Christmas Jumper
Although sales of Christmas jumpers saw a steady decline in 2015, 2016 reversed the trend and this year our favourite novelty knitwear is back with all-conquering a vengeance. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one festive jumper making an appearance, so don yours with pride. Be sure to wear with leggings for ultimate comfort.
If you’re conscious of spending good money on a one-day-wonder, then keep an eye out for discounts, vouchers and special offers. Just remember to have a backup outfit at the read in case an elderly family member cranks the heating up to ful; those prickly numbers can get itchy in warm temperatures. We love this one, but at $90 000, we might just keep it conventional this year.
Pyjamas
According to a recent Independent survey, it’s now perfectly acceptable for us Brits to wear pyjamas as daywear, with 90 percent of women wearing loungewear to relax at home, 14 percent changing into their PJs before they eat dinner, and a staggering 13 percent going shopping in their jim-jammies. Despite this national acceptance of loungewear, pyjama-clad shoppers caused an outcry in Tesco stores last year, with one customer posting an open letter to his local store asking them to ban customers wearing pyjamas from their store. The furore continued when it was reported from the front line that some parents were picking up their kids from school in their pjs….would someone please think of the children?
Christmas, though, is a law unto itself. Putting aside the aforementioned controversy, it stands to reason that it’s almost expected that you’ll wear your comfiest clothes on Christmas Day for the full, familial experience. So if you don’t fancy splashing out on a new dress that you’re only going to wear until the Queen’s Speech comes on, rest assured you won’t be the only one relaxing in your PJs this, or any other, year.
Something With Sparkle
The joy of an outfit full of sparkle and glimmer is that it can be as gaudily glamorous or understated as you want. This year’s sparkly offerings are high street approved and Christmas Day ready, just in time to match the glitter of the tree’s fairy lights. Alternatively, simply wrap yourself in the aforementioned lights and spend the day close to a plug for the requisite twinkle.
Slogans
Maybe the Scandi-inspired Christmas jumper has had its day in the spotlight. Make a statement by forgoing the traditional knitwear for something with a slogan; still festive, but a much more unique and personalisable proposition. In fact, this year slogan jumpers are where it’s at, so jump on the bandwagon now before it’s too late.
A Festive Dress
Of course you want to be comfy when you veg out on the sofa come Christmas Day, but there is also an enormous amount of pressure to dress up, at some point, out of respect for your family (and fear of unflattering Instagram snaps) if nothing else. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to look your best even in the aftermath of the big feed, so be sure to go for circle skirts or hip-skimming dresses that will flatter your figure, even when you’re several courses down. Don’t forget to add an oversized coat to keep you warm on that winter walk.