EVELYSS / Guides / Fashion Sense

What to Wear on Christmas Day at Home (Cooking, Walking and Photos)

“Christmas Day is the longest outfit of the year: kitchen at nine, lunch at two, a walk at dusk and photos all day. Dress for the three o'clock version of yourself, then add one thing that makes the morning photo feel like an occasion.”Her take

Plan the day, then the outfit

Write down what the day involves before choosing anything. A typical day at home might include present opening in the morning, hours near a hot oven, a long lunch, a walk, then sofas and games. Each part asks something different of your clothes: heat, mess, comfort sitting down, warmth outside, and looking nice in pictures.

The answer is usually one main outfit with layers rather than a change of clothes. If you're cooking for a crowd, consider a quick swap: something practical until the turkey is resting, then the nice top before everyone sits down.

Choose a waist that survives lunch

Christmas lunch is long and heavy, so avoid anything tight and fixed at the waist. Good options are knit or jersey dresses, wrap dresses, wide-leg trousers with a partly elasticated back, pull-on satin or velvet trousers, and skirts with a stretch waistband.

Sit down in the outfit when you try it on. If a waistband digs in after two minutes seated in front of a mirror, it will be a problem by the pudding.

• Cosy-smart: a fine merino jumper with wide-leg velvet trousers and smart slippers or loafers.
• Dress option: a long-sleeved knit midi dress, opaque tights, ankle boots for the walk.
• Relaxed party: a silky blouse, pull-on dark jeans with stretch, small sparkly earrings.

What to wear while cooking

Kitchens get hot and hobs have open flames or very hot rings, so avoid loose bell sleeves, long scarves and trailing fringed cardigans near the cooker. Short or three-quarter sleeves, or sleeves you can push up and that stay put, are safest.

Wear an apron over anything you care about, and save the light-coloured silk or white top until after the gravy is made. Velvet and dark knits hide splashes best. Keep your hair tied back while cooking and let it down for lunch.

Layers for a hot room and a cold walk

Homes full of people with an oven running all day get warm, but an afternoon walk in late December is cold, and in most of the UK the light is fading by about four o'clock. Wear a lighter base layer inside, and keep a warm jumper, coat, hat and boots by the door.

A cardigan or fine knit over a short-sleeved top lets you adjust without changing. Avoid thermal layers indoors; they'll be too hot by lunch.

One detail for the photos

Photos happen all day, so give the outfit one thing that reads as festive: velvet, a satin shirt, a sequin or metallic top under a cardigan, sparkly earrings, or a good lipstick. One detail is enough; comfort plus one festive piece looks better on camera than full party dress on a sofa.

Deep, rich colours photograph well under warm indoor light: forest green, navy, chocolate, plum and cream. Very busy prints and small checks can look odd in phone photos.

Shoes and feet

Inside, smart slippers, soft loafers or ballet flats look finished without heels. If your household wears shoes indoors, choose low block heels or flats you can stand in for hours of cooking. Keep boots with good grip ready for the walk; paths and fields are often wet or icy in late December.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Dress for the three o'clock version of you: forgiving waist, sleeves safe for the hob, a layer by the door, and one festive detail for the photos.

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