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All That Glitters...
Words Isabel Dexter
Get your glitz on for Christmas, whether we’re locked-down or not, ‘tis the season for some glamour.
Christmas 2020 is a strange one. On one hand, despite it being early November as I write this, the nation has gone into a festive frenzy, putting up Christmas trees, decking the halls with strings of twinkling fairy lights and even, if you’re like me, tucking into those Christmas Day chocolates. On the other, we’re all playing a strange waiting game. What will this Christmas actually look like? Will we be able to see family? Have an IRL work Christmas party? Go for festive cocktails with friends while sitting in a heated courtyard bar?
“I have spent more of this year in thick jumpers and comfortable jeans than I'd planned to, so I feel almost duty-bound to actually attempt some glitzy dressing this Christmas,” admits Fashion & Culture Writer Rosalind Jana. It’s a sentiment close to all our hearts. After what feels like months in snuggly cashmere joggers, huge knits and furry slipper boots (or is that just me?), what a relief to switch it up a little and bring out the sequins. As far as I’m concerned, Christmas parties, even virtual ones, require as much glitz and glamour as you can muster. Even the office Zoom party would call for - at the very least - some pearl-encrusted hair accessories, a lacey, Princess Diana-esque white collar or those great statement earrings you’ve been lusting after.
Shutterstock“Day to day I tend to be relatively practical, but I do enjoy a good bout of glitz though - especially at Christmas.” says Jana. “Most years I've attempted to wear something that meant I could vie for attention with the Christmas tree - the year I wore a gold mini covered in huge gold sequins the size of eyes being a particular highlight.”
If spirit-lifting sequins are your thing, you’re in good company. On the runway Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, Tom Ford, Paco Rabanne, Versace and Marc Jacobs flew the flag for maximalism. Cue metallic mermaid skirts, shining silver jacquard jackets, discoball-worthy sequins and chainmail-inspired slinky frocks adorned in oversize velvet bows. The high-street has plenty of covetable options too with pretty much everyone offering some seasonal glitz. Standout pieces include H&M’s metallic shacket, Zara’s sequin flared leggings, ASOS’s baby pink sparkly co-ord, &Other Stories’ padded sequin minidress (think enviable 80s vibes) and Dune’s Addicted To Love-esque black sequin-encrusted ankle boots.
Just want to dip your toe in? The sparkly collars at JW Anderson, worn over knitwear, were pretty and practical if it’s going to be a Zoom-filled Christmas. If you prefer a more toned-down sequin vibe (think adding a muted, vintage filter to your outfit) then Bottega Veneta’s tonal sequin shirt in muted gold, pastel blue or faded green is ideal. Wear with simple blue jeans for a low-key mood.
For inspiration think of 2020’s current heroine, Ms Dolly Parton in a figure-hugging shimmering dress with supersized big hair. Personally, there’s nothing more Christmassy than Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe bringing all the showgirl vibes to the party in red sequin split skirt dresses in the 1953 classic Hollywood film Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Or look to the decade that made us equate glamour with glitz aka the Seventies.
“I’m definitely inspired by 70s glamour when it comes to shapes”, says Marie-Claire Chappet, Contributing Editor at Glamour. “Trouser suits, plunging necklines, wrap dresses, silk shirts…”
Jana agrees: “I jump around in my appreciation of different decades, but the Seventies is a constant. I think Bianca Jagger is just the epitome of that particular kind of disco-infused, dressy glamour: sophisticated, playful, and seductive, with a great understanding of both the silhouette and tactility of garments. There's a particularly wonderful image of her in a tomato red sequin halterneck dress with a matching beret that I'd love to emulate.”
If sequins are too far outside your style comfort zone then velvet is a perennial favourite and there was a flurry of it on the runways, from the deep red maxi dress at Roksanda to the wrap skirt, cut out cocktail frock at Oscar de la Renta. Etro, Balmain, Armani and Celine all showed variations on the classic velvet tuxedo jacket, sometimes worn with ankle-skimming, wide-legged trousers (Balmain) and other times with matching hot pants over a white collared shirt (Etro).
“I am not an especially glitzy person,” admits Chappet, “but I am partial to a bit of velvet at Christmas. I’m not sure why, it's just especially festive in my mind. If it was Christmas party season I would be going for a sexy velvet trouser suit.”
Shutterstock“I haven't really bought anything this year though, so I suspect I may be digging out and reviving some forgotten favourites instead. A vintage velvet mini-dress that belonged to my mum immediately comes to mind,” explains Jana. ”It has long sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and is a colour somewhere between dusty emerald and pine needle green. I'm never sure whether I look like a Christmas tree or a hapless Eighties elf in it. Either way, I think it might do the trick.”