Polly from The Travelling Calavera blog takes inspiration from Red magazine for her capsule wardrobe for travelling at Christmas...
With not long to go until Christmas, it’s already high time you booked your tickets and started planning that festive trip to see relatives or friends. But working out what to pack – especially when half your luggage is taken up by presents, mince pies and crackers – can be a nightmare. That’s why, just like any seasoned traveller, you need a capsule wardrobe to survive Christmas and New Year in style.
With a little help from Red magazine, I’ve got your festive wardrobe and accessories sorted. Though Red covers all kinds of lifestyle topics, its fashion coverage is always strong (trust me, if you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas, you can’t go wrong with a subscription to Red magazine). I’ve definitely got my eye on some of the pieces featured in the December issue, which would work brilliantly as part of a Christmas wardrobe.
So many Christmas outfits are based on the LBD (Little Black Dress), but it’s worth breaking away and trying something different. Red suggests a scarlet lace dress by Zimmermann at Net-a-Porter; look for similar styles in Oasis and Zara, or trawl vintage markets and eBay à la Sophie Ellis Bextor. Get more wear out of your dress by putting an oversized jumper over it for smart-casual events – more on that later.
If you’re not big on dresses, coordinates, such as a top and midi skirt or shirt and trousers, are a great alternative. Check out Warehouse, Boohoo and Topshop, and pair your outfit with killer jewelled heels for instant impact. Coordinates are perfect if you’ve got a longer break planned, as the days between Christmas and New Year (known as Twixtmas) don’t have such a smart dress code, and neither does the post-New Year slump, so you can team your top with something more relaxed, like jeggings and ankle boots. All your packing should revolve around the same few colours or shades, so everything can be mixed and matched effortlessly.
If you’ll be constantly eating or drinking at an event, like Christmas Eve drinks or that New Year’s Eve party, don’t let your make-up let you down. Pack a long-wear matte lipstick (try brands like Bourjois or, on a bigger budget, follow Red magazine and go for Charlotte Tilbury) and there’ll be no need to worry about your lipstick fading as the festivities roll on. You can also blend a tiny bit of lipstick on your cheeks as blusher.
You’ll also need some more relaxed pieces to wear for really dressed down moments with family and friends. Remember the oversized jumper I mentioned? It’s super comfy and fun, plus it’s trendy this season too. Wear it over your midi skirt, dress or a pair of jeggings, then add a cocoon coat or leather jacket for festive family walks. Go lighter with your make-up to let your skin breathe; a multi-tasking BB cream or tinted moisturiser is perfect for this, and won’t take up much room in your suitcase. Just add a slick of mascara and you’re good to go.
Don’t forget to pack a couple of extra basics, like a spare pair of tights, a few more pairs of earrings and an extra top, because snagging your tights, losing an earring or having a gravy disaster shouldn’t ruin your outfit. Like the fashion team at Red, I’m a big fan of H&M’s burgundy tassel earrings, and they’re a bargain at £6.99.
Of course, a magazine should be on your Christmas packing list too, because it’s invaluable at family gatherings when arguments are brewing, Grandma is quizzing you on your love life, or everyone else has crashed out for a post-meal nap. Treat yourself to a subscription and you can enjoy the magazine for a whole year, stress-free. Don’t forget that many online Christmas sales start on Boxing Day or 27th December, so you can refer to your magazine for online shopping ideas too. Just think of it as a catalogue of January sales inspiration!
Whatever you get up to this Christmas and New Year, make the most of it, and here’s to a stylish 2017! If you're feeling inspired, don't forget to check out a super stylish Red magazine subscription!
This is a guest post via the magazine.co.uk blogger network.
