Ask Anna - Christmas Edition
It’s been a while since I did an ‘Ask Anna’ blog so with Christmas coming up and our feeds being constantly bombarded with new stuff, I thought it would be useful to answer a few questions about Xmas outfits.
For me, Christmas Day is all about comfort - yes I want to look festive, but i’m hosting this year and if I’m running around getting drinks, cooking, organising party games etc, I want to feel comfy and not constrained in a tight dress or killer heels. I can tell you now, I will be in my slippers all day!
Party outfits, are another matter though, I will be wearing a dress and heels and most probably something sparkly. I feel like it’s needed this year, with everything being cancelled last year (apart from at No. 10 Downing St!) I’m hoping we can celebrate a bit more this year. Fingers crossed!
I have had lots of Questions from you and it was impossible to answer them all, but I’ve answered as many as I can. Hopefully you’ll be able to get some inspiration from my answers.
*All items are linked under the main images. Some links are affiliate links which just means I get a small commission from any sale made. (this doesn’t make any difference to the price you pay)
So here we go with the first question…
Day to Night outfit
A great question. There’s so many different outfit options you could go for. You could wear a smart pair of tuxedo trousers with a sparkly tee and blazer and just take heels with you to change into. Or team your favourite pair of jeans with boots and a cosy jumper and underneath wear a sparkly top. But my favourite idea shown below is this amazing silver dress worn with a cosy cashmere rollneck and flats and then in the evening, whip off the jumper and add heels and a gorgeous velvet headband. Easy peasy!
Christmas Day - suitable for Cooking
This will be me, I want to look like I’ve made an effort, but I know i’ll be running around getting hot and bothered in the kitchen trying to make sure the potatoes are crispy and remember to put the pigs in blankets in the oven! So I want something that is comfortable but still Christmassy. I love the idea of this velvet suit from Jigsaw below. It looks super lush for drinks and chatting with family. But the jacket can be easily taken off during cooking so that you don’t overheat and splash hot oil all over that beautiful velvet. I’ve teamed with a gorgeous v-neck body, but a simple t-shirt or camisole will look great too.
An outfit wearable after Christmas
Now, this is a very good way of looking at your Christmas outfits, while it’s lovely to go all out in sparkles, you may want to invest in something that will see you through the rest of the year so that your money goes further. If this is you, then why not opt for a gorgeous tuxedo style blazer and trousers. The blazer could be worn with jeans and the trousers with a gorgeous sumptuous sweater after Chrimbo too. For the big day, you could opt for a pair of festive colour shoes to really spice up the outfit for Christmas.
How to rock sequins!
Well this question is a bit of a difficult one as how many sequins is too many sequins at Christmas? But, I have taken the question to mean how to rock sequins in a way that is cool like a proper badass rock chick! Yes? shall we go with that? So with this in mind, I have taken a pair of straight leg blue jeans and pair of straight leg fitted black trousers that are cropped to the ankle, then added sequins on top. This black sequin shirt by Hush was worn by the ultimate cool chick, Claudia Winkleman on Strictly last week (in silver) and a sequin shirt is a great way to add that festive vibe, but in a way that’s paired back and cool. Unbutton a few of the top buttons, keep everything else minimal and you have the perfect outfit. Alternatively, if you want to add in a bit of colour, this green sequin jacket is so gorgeous. Just add a pair of jeans and heels and a black vest and you will be totally rocking your sequin look!
Maternity dresses (that are not maternity)
There are some great maternity brands out there, but sometimes it’s nice to wear something that isn’t just made for your pregnant belly. A dress that you can wear after baby is born and that can be a reminder of your Christmas when you were carrying your bundle of joy inside you. Obviously depending on how far gone you are, many stretch dresses will be suitable for you. If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy, then you may want to wear something that isn’t too fitted and opt for something like this glorious green dress from Meadows. Super comfy and easy if you need the toilet multiple times during the day too! I’ve also added in a gorgeous sparkly longer length dress that has soft drapes so will be super comfy but also look really festive. Just add a pair of embellished slippers and/or sparkly earrings and your Christmas Day is sorted.
Dressing up something you already own
Absolutely love this question. The most sustainable way to dress for Christmas is by wearing your own wardrobe, so why not opt for buying something small like a crystal belt, sparkly shoes or a pair of dazzling earrings. You could also check out preloved sites for something vintage to keep everything circular. I also love this sequin cropped tee shown below. You could wear it with jeans and heels for a night out, but I would wear it over one of my slip dresses that I already own to glam it up a bit. You could add a crystal studded belt to a simple black dress or to cinch in a blazer or just add a sparkly pair of earrings or necklace to give some festive vibes.
Menopausal tummy
I hear you! The bloating is real. Sometimes I look like I’m in my third trimester. The blasted menopause is really rotten! But clothing can help disguise it if you’re feeling conscious. Opt for fabrics that don’t cling to the body and instead float over the belly area. An empire line can be good as it gives you shape under the bust which is the smallest part of the torso, then if you opt for a fabric that is a bit textured like this lace dress from Jigsaw which has a tie just above the waist so it will help to disguise and will allow for comfort all day. Other options include lovely big buffet dresses that give you more room, but be aware that it’s all in the fabric with these types of dresses as some can make you look bigger than you are, especially if you have a bigger bust. So if you want to go for a big billowing dress, try to choose one that has a softer draping fabric that glides over your curves.
Casual but dressy
I love getting dressed up, but I am actually more of a casual person than dressy. I don’t have too many ‘going out out’ clothes in my wardrobe, because I just don’t wear them very often. I tend to dress up an outfit by wearing heels or glam accessories. For this question I asked myself what I love wearing day to day - and that is usually jeans. So I found this incredible pair of cool barrel style jeans embellished with pearls. These are right up my street and would look amazing with a slouchy jumper as well as an oversized satin shirt like the one shown here. Casually tuck in one side of the shirt and add heels for a night out or chunky boots - whatever you fancy!
Festive but comfy
Another comfort question - you people are my kind of people! As i’ve got older I’ve come to realise that there’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in my clothes. Yes, a slinky tight dress might look great, but if you’re dying on the inside, then what’s the point. Life is too short! But saying that, we still want to look good don’t we, so this two piece below might be the answer. Super stretchy and comfy sparkly trousers with a stretch waistband. Yes please, then add in a top with a peplum that hides the fact that i’ve eaten all the mince pies - and it’s a win win!
Breastfeeding but want to look glam
Ahhh. I feel for you. It’s so tough seeing all your mates having fun, drinking and dancing and you’re stuck in a corner breastfeeding a crying baby. Yes, those early years are magical, but it’s still a strain. Especially on the mum. It’s so important that you feel good in yourself and as frivolous as it may seem, clothing can really help you feel more yourself. This satin wrap top is super glam but gives easy access to baby when the next feed is needed. If you have just given birth, then a pair of leather trousers may be too uncomfortable, in which case opt for some festive trousers or skirt with a stretch waistband to give you more comfort. Or look for a wrap dress that can be easily opened up a bit to allow baby to feed. I’ve added a gorgeous pair of sparkly shoes to give you that extra bit of Christmasy glamour.
Glamorous, Practical and Flattering
Now this was a challenge - something that’s all three! I think your best bet is to go for a dress. I’ve added two satin dresses to the mix, because I don’t think you can get more glam than a bit of satin. The feel of it is so gorgeous too and if the shape and cut is right, it just glides over the body. I love this fit and flare sleeveless style from Mango, super flattering and you could ad a cute little sequin tee (see the tee above on the question about dressing up something you already own) or a blazer/ cardigan. If you want to cover your arms, this black satin dress from H&M is perfect or if you want to go for something a bit more sparkly then this Traffic People glittery number may be more up your street. The sleeves can be pulled up while cooking and the tie waist is super flattering. I’ve added flats for practicality, but you can easily add low heel knee length boots too.
Fancy tights
Ooh I love this question - there’s something really lush about a simple outfit glammed up with a pair of embellished tights. I have these gorgeous spotty ones from Sezane shown below and I can confirm they’re amazing. Or why not go label crazy and invest in a pair of designer tights like these Anine Bing ones. I’ve also added in a pair of sparkly socks, as it’s so cold right now and a pair of glittery socks with sandals is a great way to glam up for a night out without getting frostbite!
So there you have it, my ‘Ask Anna’ festive Christmas edition. I hope you’ve found some of these useful. Let me know what Christmas outfit you’ll be wearing.
Have fun!
Anna xx
