I am all in favour of getting the festive season started as early as possible. I get an actual physical thrill out of booking my Christmas food delivery slot in September, and the morning after Halloween I fire the starting gun on mince pie season. I know it makes me sound deranged and/or six years old, but I just absolutely love everything about Christmas. I’m here for all of it and I want it now.
But fashion? That’s my one holdout. At this time of year every store is screaming at you to buy a party dress – or dancing shoes, or a velvet suit – but I beg to differ.
The magpie instinct has a lot to answer for. Holiday season fashion is a tantalising pick’n’mix of sparkle and shine, and as the nights get longer and darker, we can’t help being drawn to their light. Then there’s the unedifying fact that the festive season creates a sense that it is perfectly OK to spend more than you have on things you don’t need, so long as it’s in the spirit of Christmas. Add to that the exciting but exhausting prospect that December is full of social commitments, and there is a tendency to panic that we have nothing to wear. The first wave of partywear is designed to dazzle you into submission at this vulnerable moment.
You know how it is when you are staying in a hotel with a breakfast buffet, and it feels completely impossible to decide between bircher muesli or croissants or an omelette, so you end up having all three and then feeling a bit sick all day? (Just me?) Fashion at this time of year is similar. You could lean into the nostalgic, black-and-white-movie version of Christmas with something timeless and chic in black velvet. You could do Christmas-cracker jollity in a fluffy sweater and novelty earrings. You could bring the party in a disco-ball sequin minidress. You could have a very-this-season Christmas in a mini dress and a Miu Miu-esque furry stole. How to decide?
First, take a beat. We are programmed as consumers to worry we will miss out if we don’t spend straight away, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if a certain look is a hit this week, there will be more of it on sale next week. Consider whether you want to lean into novelty or nostalgia. Party clothes feel important because the nights we wear them are memorable, significant nights, but you don’t need loads of them as they don’t get worn that often. Look around you, out in the real world and on social media, and pay attention to the clothes you are drawn to on other people. Scroll your socials not with the intention of clicking to buy, but just out of curiosity.
after newsletter promotion
When you buy on impulse it is all too easy to ignore red flags that will sap your spirit, on the night – scratchy fabric, the neckline that doesn’t quite sit right. It is hard to make good decisions in a sweaty, loud changing room. Many times I have had to drag myself away from a prospective purchase and then never thought about it again. Those rare times when you wake up every morning for the next week thinking about how much you want it: those are when you go back and buy.
And I hardly need remind you that this is an expensive time of year. It can feel like you deserve to treat yourself, when you are buying so many gifts for others, but it is your money you are spending, so this is false logic. Evening clothes get worn lightly, so they stay in good shape: check what’s already in your wardrobe.
That feather-trimmed dress or sparkly knit can feel like destiny, winking at you from a store window. But waiting is really very Christmassy, when you think about it – Advent calendars, presents under the tree and all that – so take a deep breath, smile at the sparkle, enjoy the tingle, but walk on by. You can always treat yourself to a mince pie instead.
Model: Kentha at Milk. Hair and make up: Sophie Higginson using Bumble & Bumble and Kama Ayurveda. Dress, £350, ME+EM. Earrings, £19.50, Oliver Bonas. Slingback heels, £39.99, Zara
