The List
As a happy by-product of doing almost all my Christmas shopping online, allow me to introduce my first and (no doubt at this late stage in the game) last list of 2021. A curiously satisfying mix of cosy winter warmers that are made for mooching about the house and slinky silk and sparkles that make you want to dance. A contradiction in terms? Just the way I like it.
From left to right;
Apart from the odd pair of high-street hoops, I don’t really buy jewellery very often, or for myself. I like it to mean something. What can I say? I’m sentimental like that. This 24 Carat gold-plated medallion from Alighieri had me at hello. The fact it features a Lion? Well, it’s obviously meant to be. (You know, Leo. Aren’t all Leo’s obsessed with Lions?)
I couldn’t help but wonder…. Is this the perfect black slip dress? (Sorry, couldn’t help myself). But seriously, the racerback style and midi length keep this classic the right side of modern, and it will be great either with a jumper and boots right now, or in summer with your favourite flat sandals. Versatile or what?
Patchwork Jeans, £206.50 (Were £295), Veronica Beard at Net-a -Porter
Jeans, but give them a glow up. While my trusty Levi’s will never be replaced, I’ve got a hankering for something a bit more playful at the moment. I love the high waist and barrel leg on this Veronica Beard style, plus the patchwork detail is relatively restrained making it easier to step outside your denim comfort zone and go for something different.
Satin mini dress, £265 (RRP £695) Jacquemus at HEWI
We all know that buying second-hand is better for the environment, but if you’re not a natural vintage shopper or ebay-afficionado it’s easier said than done. Enter Hardly Ever Worn It- or HEWI to the initiated. A resale site that makes shopping circular a)easier and b) more appealing (let’s be honest). You can search by your favourite designer, style, or see what’s new. Set alerts for new styles that haven’t been listed yet, and most crucially feel confident that the quality control has been done for you. This satin mini-dress by Jacquemus is a fraction of the normal price, and (like quite a few pieces on HEWI) has never even been worn.
Satin and Rhinestone Flat Shoes, £59.99, Zara
Fancy flats, for when you can’t face heels but want to feel smarter than trainers will allow. Just as great with jeans and a knit as they are with a simple black dress.
Ruffled Lounge suit £210, Sleeper at Browns
Confession. In my years as a Fashion Editor I must have written about ‘underwear as outerwear’ and ‘pyjamas chic enough to wear out of the house’ a hundred times. But would I have actually ever followed my own advice? Negative. And then came Sleeper. This ruffled ‘lounge suit’ (So Miami retirement) is seventies chic personified, complete with stretchy waistband and a high comfort factor. I love the flared leg, oversized shirt silhouette, and mostly that' it’s a head-to-toe look that requires v little effort on the styling front.
Quilted Coat, £249, Stella Nova at Anthropologie
Quilted coats have been having something of a moment lately, as have oversized floor length styles. So add the two together, throw in a seriously covetable (and refreshingly different) colour palette et voila….. A practical but interesting piece of outerwear that will work easily with the rest of your wardrobe. Or should that read ‘my wardrobe’…?
Shearling Slippers, £80, Jigsaw
Slippers that feel more like shoes. I like the thinking. Soft slippers tend to have your walk change to a shuffle and your posture change to croissant-like. There’s a time and place for that sure, but with all the time we’re spending at home over the holidays the prospect of a smarter slipper (who knew?) is appealing. Plus, they’re a great gift.
Nothing says Christmas like cashmere. That’s what I’ve always thought anyway…. It feels like a treat, and is often too expensive to justify buying yourself. But some styles can err too much on the ladylike side for me. This one? Perfect. Slouchy, with a button and collar detail that make it feel contemporary, and in the perfect neutral.
Liquid Eyeliner , £29, Natasha Denona at Cult Beauty
Jumping straight to it- this is THE BEST LIQUID LINER I HAVE EVER USED. It is so rare that I buy a beauty product I’ve a) never heard of and b) that someone I know hasn’t tried first-hand and recommended. But in this case, I took a gamble and it really paid off. Honestly, I’d never heard of Natasha Denona, but that’s irrelevant. If a cat-eye flick is your thing, you need this. It goes on the darkest black on first stroke, and the nib (nib? brush?) has the right amount of stiffness required to keep the line firm, but enough flex to allow the requisite flick. It’s so precise it actually works really well for a very fine line also if that’s your vibe. To anyone who doesn’t use liquid liner I will sound like a raving lunatic, but to those who do- you are my people, and you will love this.
Cotton voile pyjamas, £150, Desmond and Dempsey
Ludicrously expensive? Yes. Ridiculously soft, light and comfortable? Yes. The perfect pyjamas as long as someone else is paying? Also yes. I dismissed this brand as all hype and no substance when it first launched (based on nothing but a slight tendency to make too-quick negative judgements on brands that flood my feed), but when I found myself a present short for my husband’s birthday last summer, (and at the same time found myself in Liberty), well then it all fell into place. I’ve spent the last 4 months trying everything to make his over-priced pyjamas my own, but to no avail. So instead I’ve dropped heavy heavy hints that they would be a great thing to find wrapped under the tree on Christmas Day. I’ll let you know on December 26th if the hints were quite heavy enough.
Soy wax Candle, £20, Oh, James
You don’t need me to tell you about Diptyque. It’s the best. But it’s also ££££££. And when you want to light a candle on a random Monday night, your £50 favourite starts to dwindle pretty quickly. I digress. This ‘In the Lounge’ candle by Oh, James smells AMAZING. It’s woody, and velvety, and a bit powdery. It’s sexy. And it actually smells even better when it’s burning (not the case with a lot of more affordable candles). At £20 you can buy a couple for yourself, or it makes a cracking secret - Santa.
Kx