A 2020 guide to dressing chic and comfortable for Christmas

How to feel dressed up while staying comfortable on Christmas day? We have the answers

Do you need some evidence that you’re not alone in wanting to dress up for Christmas? According to Lyst, we’re all Googling sequins and glitter. Over the last two weeks, searches for sequin pieces have risen and are currently up 165%, and there’s an 88% rise in searches for glitter and crystal-embellished shoes. See? We’re ready to dress up again, even if it’s just for the couch.

Now that we have a legitimate excuse and a sense of occasion, we all want to wear something shiny and sparkly. Sure, you’re not going to be putting on a ballgown to do a rewatch of The Crown over the holidays, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find the balance between cozy and chic, luxe and lounge-worthy, relaxed and rich.

Below are Christmas outfits that strike that balance of glamour and cozy, made for both photographs around the tree and binge eating on the sofa.

Sequin tops and knitted trousers

@rosiehw

It shouldn’t work, but it does. See Rosie Huntington-Whiteley above; thanks to the textural difference between her fine knit and silk trousers, she doesn’t look like she’s wearing pyjamas. Take the same approach for a sequinned shirt and your loungewear pants for a cozy, chic Christmas day outfit. Pair with slippers and your glitziest earrings.

Zara Sparkly Draped Top, €39.95

Lisa Yang Cashmere Straight-Leg Trousers, €345

Sequin skirts and cozy knits

Whistles

Same as above, but in reverse. If you don’t own a sequinned skirt, don’t feel guilty about getting one this year; it will get you through weddings, nights out and party seasons for years to come and always feel glamourous. Wear it with your snuggliest neutral jumper to keep it out of night-club-attire territory.

& Other Stories Cropped Mock Neck Sweater, €39

Whistles Champagne Sequin Midi Skirt, €89

Party pyjamas

@bubblyaquarius

Finally, 2020 was the year sleepwear became cool. It only took a global pandemic. Olivia Von Halle, Sleeper and loads more gorgeous brands are creating sleepwear you’ll actually want to wear outside, but will always feel comfy and chic in if you’re inside.

Related: Relinquishing the loungewear: Why I’m getting dressed up this Christmas

Sleeper Feather-Trimmed Crepe De Chine Pyjama Set, €289

Olivia Von Halle Lila Zelda Silk Pyjamas, €525

Party trousers and a blazer

@clairewakeman

Sequin trousers have so much going on already that the key to getting them right is to wear them with the most neutral basics in your wardrobe – a blazer, a white trainer, a shirt or a t-shirt. Like a sequinned skirt, they won’t really ever go out of style, they’ll always make you feel like you’re headed to Studio 54 and they’re so busy, they require very little else in terms of hair, make-up or jewellery. They’re the perfect outfit for lazy dressing-up, which is really what this Christmas is going to be all about.

River Island Silver Slim Sequin Trousers, €60

H&M Wide Sequinned Trousers, €39.99

Photography by @meganellaby.

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