Fine The artof festıve dressing

Happiest dressed down in jeans, still pull out Susannah Constantine can to festive style all the stops when it comes

ost women find winter dressing less stressful. More clothes to cover up the lumps and bumps. But I find thick clothes and festive fabrics, such as velvet and lace, only serve to add extra pounds. If you’re like me and blessed/cursed with huge boobs, lace turns one into a blowfish struggling to escape its fishing net, and velvet a Suffolk Punch pony – albeit with a gleaming coat.

then there is the dilemma of how to accessorise from the knee down in dresses and skirts. Contrary to belief, black makes legs look dense and heavy, as well as killing the joy of a colourful ensemble. i’ve resorted to black shoes and tights many a time, only to look unpolished and sartorially lazy. i like my colours and want them to blend like Mother nature intended.

So, what the hell do we do about Christmas, with all the sequins, sparkle and lurex? what if you hate red and green? And the office party – you want to impress your boss but have fun and not worry if mulled wine gets tipped over your outfit…

dressing for the festive season is a minefield – but, i believe, one that it’s best to embrace right down to the reindeer horns and rudolph glow nose. when i was a child, my elder sister and i (much to her mortification) were uniformly decked in navy Harris tweed coats with velvet collars for the carol service. in those days, a white Christmas wasn’t uncommon, and i >> hOSTIng aT hOMe Shirt, Zara. Skirt, Topshop. Earrings, H&M. Other jewellery, her own. Heels, Reiss