Festive attire: the essentials for feeling festive this holiday season

As our favourite festive season approaches, so does the pressure of choosing the perfect outfit for the special holiday event. Whether it’s a wholesome Christmas meal or a formal festive party, we want our holiday spirit to radiate through our wardrobe. It truly is the time of year when the student attire of hoodies and joggers just doesn’t cut it. Instead, we are embracing the festive attire and elevating our wardrobe for the upcoming season. So, if you are looking for the wardrobe essentials for a classy Christmas, then keep on reading.

Navy blue is another festive favourite, so why not take a risk with a sapphire or cobalt blue for your Christmas party

Colour
Everyone is aware of the conventional clothing colours associated with Christmas: red, green, and gold. There are ways to experiment with your wardrobe’s colour palette for a classier look. Take the classic Christmas red. This colour can be quite overpowering sometimes, given that it is so bright. However, exchanging bright red for a maroon, burgundy, or any darker red with more muted undertones, can immediately spruce up your festive outfit. The same goes for green. Selecting a deeper emerald green can add more depth and quality to your ensemble.

Recent fashion trends favour a more subtle use of colour for a sophisticated and minimalistic look. So much so, that the simplicity of wearing an all-black or all-white outfit is also a viable option for the holiday season. I personally love a monochromatic style, as not only is it visually powerful, but it is also affordable, especially for students on a budget. Most students will have black garments in their wardrobe that can be combined to produce a strong, monochromatic look. If you are looking for something more unique for your festive party, may I suggest exploring the colour blue. Navy blue is another festive favourite, so why not take a risk with a sapphire or cobalt blue for your Christmas party? While everyone is sporting the classic reds and greens, you can make a statement in a powerful blue, brightening up the sombre winter months.

Prints and patterns
A single festive colour is effective, but incorporating a print or pattern into your winter wardrobe can make you look even more stylish. One print that is known to be especially festive is the red plaid print. Not only is this print used for clothing, but it is also used for Christmas dinner cloths, ribbons, and other festive decorations. This print embodies the traditionalism of Christmas and is a definite symbol of the festive season. A red plaid dress is a popular choice, and this can be paired with black boots and tights for a cosy party outfit. Another popular festive pattern is the Scandinavian knitting pattern used for many Christmas jumpers. Originally marketed as ‘fashionable ski attire’, the Norwegian pattern has become a classic Christmas jumper design. Having one of these in your wardrobe to pair with denim jeans and boots is essential for the festive season.

Velvet is a popular fabric around this season as its density and softness makes garments so comfortable

Materials and textiles
While knitwear is a popular material for the holiday season, especially since it is getting much colder, there are other materials that can be worn during this time to glamourise your wardrobe. For a formal evening event, I would suggest embracing the glitz of the festive season through sequin fabric. Whether it be a sequin top or a sequin dress, the sparkle of this fabric encapsulates the magic of Christmas. Under the blinding lights of the Christmas party, you will be sure to glisten. To enhance this look further, you can search for sequin garments with fur (faux, of course) lining. My personal favourite outfit that combines these two materials would be a sequin dress with fur-lined sleeves and a fur neckline. However, if you find the shimmer to be too much, and prefer something more toned down, we can strip it back to a cosier, but still chic, material. Velvet is a popular fabric around this season as its density and softness makes garments so comfortable. Yet, it still displays a sense of sophistication, especially when dressing it up with heels. It is the perfect outfit for a classy Christmas party.

These are just some of my suggestions on how to spruce up your wardrobe as we start the countdown to Christmas. As our first term comes to an end, it feels only right to treat yourself to a new outfit, dressing to impress at a festive event. This is your sign to spend a little extra on yourself this holiday season, building up your wardrobe for the festive feels.