It’s December, so I imagine I’m not the only one manically trying to get all their presents bought, grocery shopping done, and all plans finalized before the big day. Personally I don’t love the lead-up to Christmas, mostly for all this stress, and partly for the excessive Christmas songs.
Christmas itself is awesome though. Eating, drinking, presents, friends and family– What’s not to love? Well apart from family arguments, brussel sprouts, faking gratitude for terrible gifts… Ok fine, there are some things, but they’re minor, and rarely enough to spoil a great day.
If you’re not, maybe you’re not getting the outfits right, a key component for a successful Christmas Day. Oh yes, outfits, plural. Christmas has different stages, which require different clothing. We want to look nice for any special occasion, and feeling super comfortable is also crucial, especially at Christmas.
The Christmas Schedule
First you need to know the itinerary for the day. This of course varies from person to person, but I imagine most people’s Christmas schedules are pretty similar: You wake up and see what Santa left, then you get out of the house for a bit, come back for crazy amounts of food, and in the evening there’s the big chill out. Only a madman would wear the same clothes for all of these different activities– so what do you wear for each part of the day?
Morning: Pajama Time
The first part is easy, or is it? You’ll mostly be in bed, so pjs are great, but you’re not always going to be in bed, seeing as you need to make coffee, and breakfast, and go get the stockings. That’s why you should upgrade the pajamas to some lounge wear. Thicker sweatpants, and a comfy sweatshirt. My personal tip if it’s cold is to get a thin fleece layer to put over your t-shirt, and then a zip-up hoodie on top. The fleece layer guarantees you stay nice and toasty, and the zipper on your hoodie means you can adjust your temperature, and not get too warm.
The key, as with all pajama days, is getting your footwear right. Slippers are needed of course, big, comfy, fluffy slippers. If anyone in your family doesn’t have any– well that’s what Santa’s for. If you’re spending Christmas away from home, and don’t have much space in your luggage, you can make do with a really thick pair of socks (over your normal socks for extra snugness). What’s that? Can you wear your thick pair of comfy socks and then put slippers over the top? Well it’s Christmas, so if there was ever a time for this level of indulgence, it’s now.
Midday: Out for a Walk?
This section of the day is the one that divides opinion in our house. The lazier adults want to stay at home on the sofa, while the more energetic want to get out and burn some calories, before they put them back with interest. Kids, in my experience, are more keen on the sofa plan, although it does depend on what they got for Christmas– a new video game might provoke a different reaction to a new bicycle.
What normally settles this debate is the fact that, as every parent knows, if you leave the kids inside all day, and throw in a ton of sugar and excitement, they will absolutely lose their minds before the end of the day. So the walk is a regular fixture for us, and it gives people the chance to try out scooters, kites, jackets and the rest.
What you should wear depends on the weather where you are, but it’s better to be too warm than too cold. Kids will be charging about everywhere, but most of us adults like a slower pace at Christmas, and will need lots of layers. If you followed my earlier advice, all you need to do is change your pants, get a jacket on, and you’re ready to go.
Afternoon: Food Time
The main event. This is another part of the day that differs from family to family, and Christmas to Christmas. There are normally a few things in common though– loads of eating and drinking. This is often the most social part of the day, a part where you might meet up with friends or extended family to celebrate together.
So clothes-wise, this is the time to look the most presentable. A time to wear your new dress or shirt, or that ‘ugly’ christmas sweater you dig out each year. If you’re staying at home, here’s my hot tip for you: Go smart on the top half, but leave the sweatpants on. Not the old ones with the holes and the ketchup stains on, but the more presentable ones– go for navy blue or black and at first glance people won’t know you’re wearing them. But you still get the extra comfort that should accompany you throughout Christmas day. Also you get the stretchy waistband to help you fit in all the turkey.
Evening: Chill Out Session
For most families, Christmas evening is a time to relax. Watch a film together, play a board game, maybe this is a time to let the kids escape to their bedrooms so they can play with their gifts (but really so the adults can get some peace). So how does this affect the outfit?
Well you need to get back into your loungewear. The full change might not be popular, if that’s the case then be subtle. If they’re not on already, sneak the sweatpants on, and the slippers or the big socks. Make sure to have enough layers, this is a time to be super toasty, and if your movement is restricted then so be it, dinner probably did that already. The fire might be on by now, so you might need to go the opposite way and shed layers. Some might even go full-pajama at this stage, safe in the knowledge they’ll be dozing on the sofa before long.
Wrap Up for Christmas in Style
Christmas isn’t just about indulgence, it’s also about spending time with loved ones, Jesus and all the rest. But – for the secular anyway – the overriding theme is indulgence: Indulge, but with your family, is really the essence of Christmas. While it might not be at the top of your list of important things to plan for Christmas, getting the outfits right can help everyone look great, and feel fantastic all day.
Whether you’re chilling in cozy loungewear, braving the winter chill for a festive walk, or dressing to impress at the dinner table, the right outfit keeps you comfortable, and ready for every moment. So, whatever your plans, wrap up your Christmas in style– and have a wonderful holiday season!
Now you know what you’ll be wearing for Christmas, it’s time to get any bits missing from your wardrobe. That’s where Wordans comes in– we’ve got just about all the apparel and accessories you’re ever going to need, so check out our website for the best brands and the best prices. To see more, catch us on Instagram @wearewordans.
