WHAT TO WEAR FOR A COVID CHRISTMAS
Christmas might not be as merry this year but it still calls for a little effort, says Stephen Doig
Ihave to admit that, with a day job that requires a bit of peacocking, the usual Christmas with my family in Scotland often sees a relaxing of the rules. A jazzy jumper is as dressed-up as I tend to get, after a December of dinner jackets, bow ties and pinching evening slippers in that there London. Not this year, however, thanks to the Tier 3 restrictions now imposed on the capital. Christmas Day is likely to be different for all of us this year, and while I’m not for a moment suggesting your style is of paramount priority, it’s worth considering, not least because it’s a rare chance to switch things up in the face of lockdown monotony.
First of all, no one’s suggesting you get the glad rags on – although if you’re keen to go the full Fred Astaire in tops’n’tails then that sounds rather marvellous. My friend’s family Christmas Day dress code is black tie, and while that works for a bigscale gathering, the scaledback scenes this Christmas might feel a tad “all dressed up and nowhere to go, no one to see”.
Let’s break down the day. We’ve spent the past nine months in relaxed loungewear, so while Christmas morning is a time for pyjamas, it might be worth making them extra special. A traditional cotton set with contrasting piping is always a stellar option, and adds a touch of Norman Rockwell quaintness to the festive season, but if you’re in the mood for a bit more panache, silk adds a glossy touch (and isn’t just for the ladies).
Next up, perhaps a Christmas Day walk. Again, you don’t need me to tell you to shrug on a trusty old Barbour from the back of the coat rack, but as it’s Christmas, some festive accessorising might be just the touch. Prince William recently sported a fine lineup of jolly tartan scarves during his royal tour of Scotland, and the clashing colours feel rather cheering. A smarter coat might also lend a touch of ceremony to the day; a handsome navy number will emphasise a Poinsettia-scarlet scarf all the better. Carry a well-made mask in case of any close encounters, particularly if it’s from the exceptional traditional shirting brands who have suffered this year and could use support.
For the big bacchanalian feasting event itself,
I’d tend to err towards elevated knitwear. There are gentlemen who would never deign to sit at the most important dinner table of the year without a shirt and tie, but all those roast potatoes and Christmas puddings perhaps call for something more forgiving. A “dressy” cardigan, for example – a chunky version with a luxuriously plump shawl collar will do nicely – has the added benefit of being able to button up around the midriff when you’re feeling the strain.
And while I harbour aspirations to one day retire to the library post-digestifs in a smoking jacket, the reality is a far less edifying shift to the sofa. But as you settle into the evening, and perhaps partake of a tipple, a plush dressing gown is a rather raffish way to feel spiffing. Steer away from the everyday towelling and towards sumptuous quilting or sleek cotton variants. Life might have gone somewhat adrift this year, but maintaining standards is one way to galvanise ourselves and put our best face forward. Merry Christmas.