Style Notes for the Festive Period

… Part 1

Usually when I write these Style Notes, it’s for my fantasy month ahead: an imagined vibe, a whimsical feeling about the turn of the season and the qualities particular to the next four weeks of the year. The way I will want to feel that coming month and exploring how sartorial expression plays into that for me, personally.

This time of year- the last 6 weeks or so before we step into the next- that approach changes slightly as I glance at a calendar filled with actual events and scenarios. Actual plans that can be chalked up, actual outfits in need of cultivation. That’s where I’m starting for part 1 of the festive style notes- this is about the real events in the diary, the ones you might want a little time to prepare for. I’ll follow up with a looser November/December Style Notes following the usual format in the next article.

I adore the process of getting dressed. Having a real life event to plan for is just a bonus. I am forever sponging up inspiration, noting down elements, titbits, small details I’ve noticed here and there or potential ideas to explore moving forward, regardless of whether I’m throwing it all at outfits for real occasions or just the school run- it’s a process I love.

This time of year just happens to be brimful of the kind of events that are easily infused with fancy and frivolity. The kind of events that evoke that whimsy I mentioned above and the kind of events that encourage a proper-thought-process-approach to getting dressed. One I can get really lost in and mull over for days (read: weeks) before the actual occasion.

Christmas Eve -

In our family, Christmas Eve is a real pressure’s-off moment to soak up the atmosphere, bask in the anticipation of what’s to come and to spend time with our nearest and dearest without the chaos of Christmas Day.

We usually have immediate family at our house early doors for festive food, drink and music in front of the fire (and the tree) before everyone heads their separate ways for the night- the young-uns to the pub for a nightcap (or three) the oldies to bed and the children to prep the mince pies and carrots for Father Christmas and the reindeer.

Anything-goes, outfit wise (usually dictated by everyone’s subsequent plans) the kids are usually in pyjamas, and I like to go festive, but still casual:

I’m layering this Flutter Blouse under anything and everything this season.

Think: cashmere cardis, oversized/chunky knits, The Coat Dress, velvet jackets.

This time, The Wrapper in our limited edition Holly Tweed (what a combo!) At time of writing, we have 2 of these wrappers left on the site. Go! Go! Go!

You could pair this upper-body duo with anything really and what you’d you’d get is a delightfully festive, yet casual outcome. I’m keen to try with both dark blue and ecru denim, but you know how much I love a patterned bottom, couldn’t resist!

I’m adding a red lip to as many outfits as possible for the foreseeable.

Christmas Day

This year, it’ll be The Coat Dress for me come Christmas Day. That’s been the fantasy for a solid few weeks now.

In my head, I LOVE it paired with a gauzey, fluttery white dress, and a satin heel like this:

In reality, with two small children, I’ll likely be doing a lot of scrambling on the floor, so I’ll probably wear as a dress, solo, with a low heeled boot (see below.) Still festive, but less likely to damage a beautiful under-dress by crawling behind/under a Christmas tree- the corduroy Coat Dress is hardy enough to withstand IMO and can be chucked in the washer thereafter.

If, however, you are suitably grown up and able to execute Christmas Day without the tree/presents/dinner becoming an obstacle course, the Gathered Flutter Dress in black or white would be beautiful layered here. Or email us for a version in double-layered linen gauze (as above.)

I actually love the simplicity of the Coat Dress worn on its own.

Festive Party

Could be a work-do, could be a family get together, drinks with friends (or all of the afore mentioned.)

I’m digging out The Flutter Blouse again and pairing with a velvet suit. The beauty of this limited edition version of our Flutter Blouse is that it’s detailed and delicate and adds in an element of texture and pattern without overpowering an outfit- means it goes with SO MUCH and brings that little extra something to the table.

I’d go black or jewel tones for the velvet, personally- mine’s dark blue.

Texture, texture, texture! This outfit is particularly pleasing, texture-wise. Rich navy velvet with pretty, frothy-yet-crisp cotton and shiny pops of silver (on the feet, round the neck and through the hair!)

What I love about this blouse is that it’s going to be a dream to wear all year round. I can immediately see myself packing it on any and every warm holiday, but the fact that it works just as well for the Festive Season is the proof in the pud for me.

This combo would be amazing with any festive-esque suit you might own- burgundy corduroy? Maybe a patterned jacquard? Tweed? Rich-toned-wool iteration? Take a look at what you have in your wardrobe and pair with the Flutter Blouse and a sprinkle of sparkly metallic.

Betwixtmas

Ok. You really can’t do better than a Stalf sweats set for the in-between. That deliciously stretchy few days filled with lazy starts and slow breakfasts and leftovers and twinkly lights and board games. Maybe the odd walk or day out (we usually do a city trip or a stately home)… sweats still work! Just layer under a duvet-coat and tuck into wool socks and wellies.

In a break-away from all things red, I went Rhubarb for my sweats-selection, the cardi and the Sweatpants. Pairs beautifully with warm natural tones, grey marl, pinks, corals and creams.

I personally size up in this set (I am a small size 12 and usually wear a Stalf medium for you ref and wear an XL in the Cardi and a large in the Sweatpants.) Should probably note that there’s no need to size up, it’s just my personal preference.

New Year’s Eve.

Maybe you stay in on New Years (in which case, stay exactly as you are and the repeat Betwixtmas outfit to your heart’s content.)

But if you do have somewhere fancy to be, bypass buying something polyester that you’ll never wear again, trawl back through your wardrobe for anything luxurious on the bottom half (think: velvet anything, maybe a mini skirt for a bit of leg, spangly trousers, metallic accents, or gorgeous textures- anything leather, embroidered or embellished) and pair with the Flutter Blouse in black crosses. I’d probably add in the black velvet jacket that matches my skirt over the top.

Hope this has given you plenty of inspo and got your festive-outfit cogs whirring, I’ll be back late this week/early next with Part 2!

Have a fab week subs!