Some people like to spend the whole of Christmas in elasticated waistbands - all the more room for roast spuds and Terry’s Chocolate Orange. But, for others, some time off, a shedload of festive cheer and tons of socialising opportunities means more changes than Katy Perry at an awards show.
If you’re one of those people who always goes out-out on Christmas Eve and all-out for Christmas lunch (preferably in head-to-toe sparkle complete with the paper hat from your cracker), here's how to take your Christmas week dressing to the next level.
The Christmas Eve night out
As is now tradition, Christmas Eve will be spent in the same old man's pub you and your mates used to frequent in your teens, desperately trying to avoid your first crush at the bar. While we can't save you from those awkward run-ins, we have got lots of cute outfit ideas to take your mind off it, from subtly sparkling trousers to boozy festive knits.
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The Christmas morning PJs
Present opening and Christmas morning brunch calls for your cosiest PJs and furriest slippers. And if your pyjamas don't feature one or all of the following, we're just not interested: festive puns, super-soft fleece, glitter, animal ears/tails, pugs, Harry Potter, unicorns.
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The main event
Christmas lunch is the biggest meal of the year, in every sense. So, go big - from the statement earrings, to the glitter and sequins. Our outfit of choice? A sparkling rainbow sweater dress and sparkling oversized earrings. A sweater dress is roomy enough to allow extra portions of turkey and stuffing, while the rainbow tinsel effect means it's still glam enough for your mum's finest bread sauce.
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The post-lunch carb coma
Enter the turkey trousers. When all you're capable of is rolling onto the sofa and lying prone in front of the Queen's speech/Shrek 2 with a damp cloth over your forehead, nothing but an elasticated waistband will do. So, slip on some matching sweats for maximum comfort. Extra points for cashmere. Minus points for dropping that mince pie down yourself.
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The Boxing Day walk
It’s the first time you’ve felt fresh air on your skin in what feels like weeks (okay, about 18 hours). It’s definitely the first time all day you’ve moved more than two metres from the Quality Street. Which means there's nothing for it but to wrap yourself up in the finest faux fur or a warm wool coat and pile on the cosy accessories. We love super-sized scarves (always channelling the Lenny Kravitz meme) and pom-pom beanies.
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The in between
It sounds like The Upside Down from Stranger Things and it can be equally disconcerting. The days in between Christmas and New Year can feel like an endless round of leftover turkey, board game rows and Pixar films. Keep up appearances with a selection of seriously glam festive knits. It's your last chance to break these guys out before January.
Now, did someone say leftover pigs in blankets?
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For all your next level Christmas week looks, head to Very
Alison is head of content for the Good Housekeeping Institute, responsible for product reviews across homes, beauty, wellness, family and food & drink. She lives by the William Morris quote that you should “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Alison has over 15 years' experience as a lifestyle editor and has written features on everything from misophonia to how to dress like Claudia on The Traitors. She has also interviewed everyone from Dame Joanna Lumley to the Kardashians.
In her spare time, you'll find her hanging out with Monty the cocker spaniel and refreshing the Sezane website every five seconds.
