Style Notes for December
Feels like hygge, but sparklier...
I read in one of Leandra Medine Cohen’s recent articles that December is a season all of it’s own and I’m inclined to agree. There’s just something that happens once the calendar clicks over from November 30th- the December portal opens and we step over the threshold into a brilliant and shimmering 3 and-a-bit-weeks of build up.
Do you like the festive period? I know plenty who don’t for various valid reasons- I personally adore this time of year and wrap myself in it with a fervour whilst it lasts.
For me, December actually has its very own feeling. It permeates each day and seeps further into my bones as each calendar window is opened- eventually we land at Christmas Eve and everything’s saturated with a cosy, glimmering anticipation- it’s like hygge, but sparklier.
So when it comes to dressing in December, I feel this month brings with it a licence to pull out your favourites, the combinations that lift you up and give you a twinkle, or that are sometimes saved for best. I think Leandra said “slap a feather or a sequin on” which pretty much sums up how I feel about December dressing. I realise I’ve not included any sequins (or feathers for that matter) in this article, but it’s more about bringing the particular combinations to the fore that bring you, specifically, joy.
Which pieces in your wardrobe make you feel shiny and glowy? Now is the time to pile them on with wild abandon.
I did have a mood board for this month’s style notes, but deviated pretty heavily as I delved into my own sense of the season. I’ve included it below, I’m sure you’ll recognise a few references in my own outfits.
With hindsight, I realise I’ve subconsciously grouped my offering for this month into three colour groups- red, white and black… for Christmas… groundbreaking! Bear with me, I think I’ve pulled together some combos and tips you’ll find useful.
Starting with red. In the past I’ve reserved my wearing of red almost exclusively to the three and a half weeks building up to Christmas. Something about a rich, lustrous red just really appeals to me in December and then I just kind of discount the colour for the other 48 weeks of the year.
Last year we launched our first festive dress here at Stalf and it was so popular that we’ve created another iteration this year, expanding the offering a little to include a blouse which I think will change my December-only red tradition.
I’m drawn towards pairing these pieces with fair aisle and creamy cable knits for now, and classic blue denim come January. I liked the below look for an amalgamation of the two which works for now if you’re not into festive overkill, but still nods to the rosy cheer of the season.
Here I’m wearing our Crinkle Blouse in Ruby double gauze, shop the limited edition drop here.
Blouse - Stalf
Earrings
Jeans
Shirt
Red Bag
White Converse
Styled the dress in a similar way and loved the results- a pop of white at the collar and cuffs and preppy white trainers completely change this style.
Shop the limited edition red dress here.
…but my favourite way to style this dress for daytime/casually is with layers of red. You know my love of a clash of textures- softly crumpled double gauze meets fluffy, warming knit in similar shades is the perfect cosy combination here- a red lip would’ve really made this look sing.
For an extra injection of festive cheer, I suggest pairing your ruby double gauze with a fair isle-inspired vest, as below. Just make sure there’s a dash of red in there somewhere and you can pretty much go as far-out as you like with this part. Staffy, model’s own.
A note on “fair isle” … I know many love a festive jumper, but choose wisely and you’ll be wearing your knit all year round. Here, the diamond pattern hints enough at “festive” that when it is paired with red, your imagination does all the hard work and it really does read as “Christmas jumper”. But match this particular vest with denim/black/crisp white and it’s just a great year-round splash of colour. Look for vaguely-festive patterns (diamonds or other geometric repetitions as opposed to snowflakes and gingerbread) and a dose of acid-bright alongside a dash of red always helps your moderately-festive jumper travel with you through the other 11 months of the year.
Shop the limited edition red dress here.
Dress- Stalf
Knitted Vest
Trainers
Earrings
Dog- cute!
Moving on to white. We all know why red appeals this time of year, but let me tell you about the underdog of the festive season- a colour I’ll be turning to a LOT. A crisp white, and specifically in the Crinkle Blouse. It’s soft and somehow fluffy, yet fresh. It’s just as good with cords or denim as it is with your flounciest evening wear (see below for proof) I’m utterly obsessed with this piece paired with just about anything I throw at it. Below it takes me from Sugarplum Fairy to vaguely-Dickensian eveningwear WITHOUT me feeling ridiculous in either get-up.
First up, Sugarplum Fairy…
Crinkle Blouse in White double gauze available here.
Blouse - Stalf
Skirt
Earrings
Headband
Shoes
… and the vaguely Dickensian, slightly Wednesday Adams, but still super wearable and original take on evening attire…
Blouse- Stalf
Dress
Heels
Bag
Earrings
Ring
Tights
If you’re more of a dress gal, look no further than the Gathered Flutter Dress- I’m talking festive parties and whole-hog Christmas Day attire here (whole-hog but without cliches or novelty.) This dress is also perfection in the summer months with sandals and a tan, or dressed up for a christening/garden party/other day-time-do. These items are not just for Christmas, please!
Here, I added red velvet, gold jewellery and criss-crossed red ribbons round my ankles (don’t feel this last part is necessary, I just embraced the whimsy and ran with it in the moment here.)
There’s something about a white linen flutter, gently crinkling out of a red velvet sleeve that says “25th December” like nothing else, for me.
We have a couple of these dresses left. A couple in in linen here and one in double gauze here, both white. There’s also a black option here.
Dress- Stalf
Bow
Jacket
Shoes
Here’s how I’d style the same dress for festive drinks, New Year’s Eve or similar, or just minus the red, if it’s not your thing.
We have a couple of these dresses left. A couple in linen here and one in double gauze here, both white. Black version here.
Dress- Stalf
Jacket
Belt
Boots
And ending with Black. My December advice for black- throw all the glitz, twinkle and lustre you like at it.
I started with a classic blouse, one which, like its sister in white, will be easy peasy to wear all year round, but which is extra beautiful dressed up for evening. I added tinfoil trousers (these are actually a size too big and not really what I wanted, rather what I already had in my wardrobe, I’m on the hunt for embellishment in a flared format, but you get the idea) sparkly socks and velvet heels.
Crinkle Blouse in Black double gauze linked here.
Blouse- Stalf
Trousers
Heels
Socks
Earrings
Two further heroes of my festive wardrobe, the Crinkle Cami and the dress version. Both in black double gauze, both supremely comfortable, easy to dress down and wear every day, but both utterly gorgeous paired with a little (or a lot of) sparkle.
Crinkle Cami Dress available here.
Dress - Stalf
Layering Top
Necklace
Boots
Tights
The same style in cami top version is equally gorgeous and versatile. I paired with an old spangly jacket and lurex trousers.
For sequins and embellishment, I would really recommend scouring second hand sites. These items are EVERYWHERE, it really is so easy to land on your perfect twinkly, festive friend second hand.
Sometimes it’s tricky to get the right texture to pair with layers of sparkle and shimmer. The suede boots and double gauze here are softly matte bookends to this look, and compliment the sparkle- they let it do its thing without overpowering or fighting with it. The whole look is twinkly yet effortless and never try-hard- the double gauze and the suede just take the edge off and prevent anything feeling too contrived.
The Crinkle Cami in black double gauze available here.
Cami - Stalf
Blazer
Trousers
Boots
Necklace
…and now my December treasure chest of festive ideas has been unpacked, hope you enjoyed!
Paris x