with ROSEMARY Mac CABERead Rosemary's fashion blog, Fash Mob, at irishtimes.com/blogs
Jumpering for joy
Get your Christmas chic on with these festive knits
Dorothy Perkins' s penguin sweateris just on the right side of kitsch and will serve you well into 2012. €55
Paul and Joe Sister's navy festooned- collar sweaterwill look as good in May as it does in December – team with a pretty patterned skirt and ankle boots. €235.20 from my-wardrobe.com
This patterned oversized sweater from Asospacks a colourful punch - one for Christms day, perhaps? €47.08
River Island's navajo printednumber isn't, strictly speaking, a geansaí Nollaig – but when it's this cool, who cares? €51
If this
reindeer jumper
from funkychristmasjumpers.com looks familiar, it’s because Ryan Tubridy wowed us in it on the 2010
Late Late Toy Show
. Wear yours with pride and a little irony. €39.99
A reader writes...
I’m going to a winter wedding and am looking for some good cover-up ideas. I don’t want to wear a coat all day, but I don’t want to freeze, either. I don’t have a huge budget, so investing is out of the question. Any suggestions?
Fiona, by email
Living, as we do, in Ireland, the need for cover-ups that are not of the coat variety is obvious, and there are lots of options to choose from.
One of the coolest is this Diamond by Julien McDonald jacket (€128) from Debenhams – it’s made of the softest woven fabric and is super cosy, plus it walks the fine line between cardigan and jacket: neither too casual nor too formal. It also bundles up quite small if you wanted to stash it in a bag towards the end of the night.
For something more versatile, Electronic Sheep is a London- and Dublin-based company offering gorgeous and unique woollens. This scarf (€89) will keep you warm and looking cool without breaking the bank. Plus, it can be worn again and again once the big day is over. See electronicsheep.com.
Finally, this kimono-style jacket from Dunnes (€45) is a snappy take on the traditional blazer. The dark purple makes it perfect for winter and it’s tailored enough to be considered formal – while the shoulder detail makes it just different enough to pass for occasionwear rather than officewear.
Star buy
The EB by Erickson Beamon necklace, €45 at Debenhams, is a piece of costume jewellery to cherish. Wear with your prettiest party dress for serious wow factor.
The five commandements of Christmas style
1 Burgundy is for drinking, not for wearing
Don’t let the festive spirit take over your wardrobe – stick to festive accents and the old reliable sequins, or let your Christmas dressing take an ironic twist (see Jumpering for joy, left). All-over red is just a no-no: far too obvious.
2 Santa is for childrenSanta Claus earrings, Santa Claus socks, Santa Claus tights – If there's one thing that screams "mutton dressed as lamb", it's an adult woman dressed as a Christmas-loving child. Stick with grown-up gold instead.
3 Inspiration, not imitationTaking cues from festive fashion spreads or seasonal music videos is all well and good, but before you come over all Mariah Carey in All I want for Christmas (is You), take a good, long look in the mirror. Now: does that Santa suit really seem like a great idea? No, we didn't think so.
4 Nail itNails are the one place that you can go all out. Paint on reindeer if your hand is steady enough, or have someone else do it – Wah! Nails in Dundrum (wahnailsdublin.tumblr.com) or Alpha Nail in Temple Bar (thealphanail.com) will jazz up your digits for you.
5 Don't grin and bare itScantily-clad women take note: hypothermia is not a good look. Cosy up in faux fur and soft knits, and BRING A COAT. Standing in the freezing cold waiting for the taxi that is never coming is not festive; it's insanity.
