What to wear on Christmas day

Anyone sick of the novelty Christmas jumper yet? Worn for one day of the year. It's not cute, it's not nice, infact it's just all wrong!

What has happened to Christmas glamour? Dressing your best on Christmas day. Now it's all about itchy onesies that make you look like Olaf from Frozen, a sequinned elf across your bust and hats in the shape of a Christmas pudding! This is not glamour, this is not 'occasion wear', this is not how I dress any other day of the year so why on the most important day of the year.

As a child my Grandad would take me Christmas shopping in London every year for my Christmas day outfit. It was completely unacceptable to turn up to my Grandparents house on Christmas day not in a "smart outfit". Ideally something new or perhaps something your family had never seen before. But something that meant you had "made the effort" for the occasion.

Me, my brother & 2 cousins on Christmas day circa 1986

In recent years, now that my grandparents have gone, I have my own kids and we usually host my parents. Me and my Mum still fly the flag of wearing our smart outfits for our Christmas dinner. This year I'm going to be wearing my Finery London grey knitted midi dress with thick black tights, Mum will most probably come in a red dress because when else can you get away with wearing one in the daytime?

So ditch the novelty Pyjamas and follow my lead on ideas on what to wear on Christmas day. Christmas is special, so show it on the outside.

What will you be wearing on Christmas day?

1. Knitted Midi dress - Finery London £65

2. Embellished jumper & midi skirt

3. A Red Dress - Zara £39.99

4. Jumpsuit - Zara £39.99

5. If you are having a lazy day, then please do it in style with my picks of loungewear -

Cashmere Jumpsuit - The white company £279.00

Cashmere jogger and hoody - Whistles, hoody £161.00 & joggers £161.00

My tips on how to dress for the party season

This time of year is always crazy busy, just navigating your way through the diary is enough to drive you to alcohol before 10am on a weekday! Let alone having to think about and plan what to wear for the many events or night's out you have in the coming weeks.

So, in effort to avoid the pull towards buying new elaborate party pieces that only make an appearance in the festive season, I have vowed to not buy anything new and re-use what I already have in my wardrobe. If you invest wisely in your wardrobe throughout the year, there should be plenty of style staples that can be pulled out time and time again and updated with accessories or pulled together in different ways that it looks fresh again.

Read my top tips below in what to invest in and how to pull the look together for an altogether stylish party season...tell me what your favourite piece is?

1. THE JACKET

I have to confess I love a good jacket! I have lots of them in my wardrobe that transcend any trend, any season and any style in the calender. From a black tux to a printed cropped jacket, a mannish blazer and an all over sequin number, I'm always on the lookout for one that's versatile for my wardrobe. In summer, pair over a t-shirt and come winter it’s the perfect party cover up. You can throw it over a shirt or statement top, alternatively, as I’ve done here, smarten up a basic slip vest and jeans. I like the way it nips in my waist and covers my arms no matter what I am wearing underneath.

2. THE JUMPSUIT

Jumpsuits have been my party-wear favourite for the past couple of years and it doesn't look like the trend is slowing down. So if you haven't 'jumped in' head first and invested in one yet, now is the time to do it, as you will get loads of wear out of it this party season and throughout the summer teamed with flat sandles and a denim jacket. Jumpsuits are universally flattering and I guarantee you'll find one to suit your body shape. Also – and this is a massive plus – wearing trousers in a room full of dresses makes me feel kick-ass.  For this look I am wearing my @topshop boutique black belted jumpsuit with metallic accessories to style it up for evening.

3. THE FUR COAT

I got my faux fur coat from @riverisland about 10 years ago now and every year I bring it out in the winter. Every winter the catwalks and the high street bring out fur in volume so I never feel like I am out of style when I wear it. It is the warmest coat I own, so perfect for those freezing cold nights out and walks home! Plus it adds just something else to your outfit, it can be used to dress up any look such as leather leggings, boots and a white shirt, or can be thrown over a dress with thick black tights. I even layer mine up over my black leather biker jacket as below.

4. THE ACCESSORIES

A great pair of heel's, a fab clutch bag and a bit of sparkle round your neck never goes out of style! Clutch bags really help 'finish off' an outfit and I think you can be as daring as you want with adding that extra pop of colour to contrast your outfit, bringing it all together with matching tones or adding bling for the evening. Every women has a secret (or not so secret) obsession about shoes, and that feeling that you get when you buy a new pair will never get old! I love spicing up my outfits with my leopard print heel's @topshop or bringing out the glitter @reiss and sparkly numbers @kurtgeiger out when I want to dance the night away. A new necklace or earrings is a very inexpensive way of updating your outfits. The large necklace trend doesn't seem to be going away but it's all about balance. A big necklace, earrings and cuff will look too heavy and ruin your style, make sure it's all in moderation and you can't go wrong.

How to inject the biggest colour for Autumn Winter into your wardrobe.

“Interesting on its own and a wonderful contrast for other hues, PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala is a winey red-brown that adds finesse and savoir faire. Rich and robust, Marsala incorporates the warmth and richness of a tastefully fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots point to a sophisticated, natural earthiness.”

— www.pantone.com

A new season always means a new shade to introduce into your wardrobe. Marsala, burgundy or wine has evolved from so many season's of pink being the biggest colour, that this is the next step on the spectrum. With the autumn/winter 2014/15 runways awash with burgundy pieces, I show you how to wear the hue in a variety of stylish ways, from wearing the colour all over to adding key accessories. It sits somewhere between a neutral and a statement colour and is so versatile it is a key casual wardrobe colour. Burgundy pairs well with other on-trend colours and a variety of different patterns, meaning it can easily be adapted to suit your own personal style.

Ways to wear Burgundy

• Investing in a statement overcoat in burgundy could prove particularly beneficial. Plus, with a few months left before the temperature starts to pick up again, you’ll get plenty of use out of it.
• If it’s versatility you’re after, opt for burgundy staples like jeans, jumpers, cardigans and t-shirts that can be worn with other pieces in your wardrobe.
• Wearing the colour as one outfit is a statement of style, don't be scared of mixing the shades and adding some patterned accessories to break it up.
• If you want to add extra flourish then opt for burgundy accessories. A over sized scarf, floppy hat or fringed bag will add a twist to your look. I can't wait to wear my Whistles hat I brought a couple of years ago.
• Choosing the right footwear could be paramount in pulling the look together. There are the some fab blocked healed boots around, some casual comfy trainers or like me I have updated my brogues.
• If you don't have the money to buy a piece for your wardrobe then update your beauty bag with some nail varnish or paint your lips with burgundy instead.

Check out my pinterest board for more inspiration - in brouge

1. All hues outfit

2. Trousers

3. Skirts

4. Dresses

5. Coats

6. Accessories

7. Shoes

8. Beauty

This week I'm obsessed with...

Autumn Winter Midi/Maxi dresses...Edits guide how to wear them...

It's time to throw in the beach towel... it's here! Autumn has landed in September!
How exciting, as now we need to start planning our winter wardrobes and no longer worry about getting a tan and showing all our wobbly bits off. We can now shop for lots of lovely jumpers and cosy up in front of the fire.

After spending the last couple of weeks permenantly attached to my computer creating online look books for many clients for their Autumn transitional wardrobes, I can't help myself but get obsessed by certain items of clothing. Top of my list at the moment is the new dress of the season, the midi or maxi dress.

Seen on the catwalk at Chloé and Etro, the new autumn dress has a bohemian Fleetwood Mac 70's kinda feel . The 70's trend is hot hot hot at the moment and the romantic, little bit-folksy printed dress is bang on the money. It is this season's update from the "boho" look, so no more embroidery, full skirts and smock dresses. More importantly, the new autumn dress looks great with a pair of boots whether it be ankle, midi or over-the-knee. Teamed with a leather jacket or fur gilet for now, then a pair of thick tights and a textured wintery coat for later on in the season. Read my styling tips below for some more ideas on how to give this trend your own style.

Check out my pinterest board for more style inspiration - Midi/Maxi dresses

1. Belting the dress gives it more shape and flatters your waistline

2. Adding some great accessories like a fedora hat will bring the dresses to life and add your style stamp to it.

3. A great jacket could change your look completely. By adding a fur gilet you are channelling the 70's trend. By wearing a leather jacket, you are adding the glam factor.

 

The only issue I have now is which one do I buy?

1. Atterley Galaxy Print Dress £115.00

2. H&M Black spot Maxi dress - £69.99

3. Zara £39.99

4. Maje Fulle length printed dress £315.00

5. & Other Stories Scarlet IBIS print dress £69.00