Christmas party season is here, which means dusting off the dresses and sparkly tops waiting in the wardrobe for festive nights out. But if, like me, you’re firmly attached to your warm merino gilet and struggle to part with it even for an evening, here are a few ways I’ve worked it into my going-out wardrobe this year.
Watch my styling video and take a little inspiration for your own outfits.
You can’t go wrong with monochrome.
Here I’ve taken a pair of high-waisted wool shorts from Sézane, teamed them with a Uniqlo Merino skinny rib knit, added black suede cowboy boots from Isabel Marant… and, of course, my cream Merino Gilet for both style and warmth.
Softly, softly…
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for pale natural tones (yes, I do walk my dog in cream jeans — and no, it doesn’t always end well!).
Here, I’ve taken one of my favourite summer bias-cut slip dresses in a soft champagne shade and layered it with — again — Uniqlo’s brilliant merino skinny rib roll neck. You’ll notice a theme to my shopping this year, and it definitely involves this knit.
I’ve added beige suede ankle boots and, of course, the most versatile cream Merino Gilet. I’ve belted it with a new piece set to arrive on the website in spring: this beautiful Guatemalan belt. I love belting my gilet for a more dressed-up, figure-hugging look, but if you prefer not to have anything around your waist (it is Christmas after all!) this outfit works just as well without the belt.
Toasted Almond version
A quick note to say that this look also works beautifully with our Toasted Almond Gilet, and it pairs perfectly with our merino wool clutch bag to finish it off.
Floaty & Feminine
I love layering my Merino Gilets over floaty, feminine dresses. This one is Isabel Marant, paired again with her suede cowboy boots. I’ve styled it with both our cream and charcoal merino gilets. I do love belting them for a slightly more dressed-up look, but they look and feel just as good worn unbelted.
Poppy Red
I generally live in natural, muted colours or black, but when I do feel the urge for something more vibrant, I reach for a bold poppy red — and as it’s Christmas, here goes!
When I first put this look together, I thought I might feel a bit like Santa’s little helper… but actually I felt more Rita Hayworth.
Here, I’ve layered my favourite Uniqlo skinny rib (in the perfect shade of poppy red) over a silk slip dress, added pointed pumps, and finished it with our brilliant Toasted Almond Gilet — the most flattering warm beige — and a vintage gold buckle belt.
That Sparkly Top
Last but not least… the outfit most of us will reach for on a cold December evening: the sparkly top. This one is Isabel Marant, paired with great-fitting jeans (mine are from Mother Denim), some chunky gold jewellery, and a warm gilet — for warmth, of course, but also to soften the sparkle a little and help us feel more like ourselves.
Enjoy your Christmas party season in stylish comfort. And there you have it — proof that you really won’t be taking off your gilet until spring.
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