YOUR STYLE GUIDE TO DRESSING UP
Before you know it the lead up to 25 December will have started. Are you ready to party? Well, Annabel and I have been to see the new fashion trends at M&S to edit the very best that our favourite store has for us older women. You are spoilt for choice with festive sparkle jackets, trousers, sumptuous velvets, classic black outfits with a glittery twist and some elegant dresses. In short, there’s something for everyone. So, without further delay, here’s your style guide to dressing up for Christmas:
Elegant dresses
Animal print is back with a vengeance and I found this midaxi tie neck waisted dress with its elbow length sleeves very comfortable and forgiving of my lumps and bumps. £39.50. We also oohed and aahed over this vibrant yellow sequinned Midaxi Shift dress from Autograph £99. And there’s two other dresses we’d like to highlight to you…
Velvet Round Neck Midaxi Dress £45 in Teal and this timeless Velvet Lace Midi Column Dress £99 – either will guarantee that you look chic.
Any of the above dresses will look wonderful with the comfortably flat yet feminine Bow Block Heel slingbacks in Black or animal print £35.
Co-ordinates
If you’re unsure of what to wear, think about coordinates because they have got to be the easiest kind of outfit. The styling is done for you – just add shoes and jewellery! Lots of Christmassy colours ie standout red and chic greens.
Embellished Relaxed Single Breasted Blazer £75 (available in both green and black) and matching Wide Leg Trousers £55 (in three lengths) . There’s also a matching long sleeved top £35 in petite or regular. Red is such a wonderfully festive, standout colour. I was impressed by this Collared Short Tailored Jacket £59 and matching tailored straight leg trousers £39.50.
Cosy coats
One word for the M&S winter coats – wonderful. Generously sized, stylish and essential to keep you toasty on the way to and from a night out. Particular faves are the red Single Breasted Longline Tailored Coat with Wool £89 that Annabel is wearing in this photograph and the Textured Longline Tailored Coat £79 that she is holding. Or there’s the unbelievably good to touch Faux Fur Longline Coat £79, Lavender Grey Feather and Down Longline showerproof puffer £125.
We’d also like to give a shout out to the Checked Longline Trench Coat with Wool £109 which is a classic that you’ll wear again and again. Last but not least, the very smart (and generously sized) navy Wool Blend Collarless Longline Coat £89 which in my humble opinion is an absolute must-have bargain!
Keeping it (relatively) casual
As some of us prefer to add a touch of glitz to our outfits – for example if you’re invited to a more informal occasion – there’s plenty on offer.
We were delighted to see that M&S has even given denim a festive twist. There’s a Denim Diamante Trucker Jacket £55 and Ivy High Waisted skinny jeans £32.50. Wear with some Sparkle Flat Square Toe Ballet Pumps £45 and you’ve got a fabulous relaxed party look.
Other single pieces you might find useful are the Sleeveless Sequin Top in Petite or Regular £35, the elegant High Neck Blouse £29.50 in Red or Black or the supersoft red cashmere long sleeved crew neck £89 (available in 14 colours).
Collaborations
We’re really enjoying the M&S collaborations and the standout Sienna Miller piece in our book was the wool blend double breasted blazer £125 in winter white (available with matching trousers and waistcoat). Check out the entire Sienna Miller collection here.
Dressing up for a night in
When it’s time to relax, we’d like to recommend some seriously cosy clothes to curl up on the sofa in while you watch Christmas films on TV. Teddy Fleece Dressing Gown £25 in five sizes and six colours and the one size fits all Fleece Star Print Oversized Lounge Hoodie £22 in Navy or Grey Mix. Lower the heating thermostat and open the popcorn!
We hope you’ve found the above dressing up edit useful and that you’ll be celebrating Christmas in style.
