For Christmas

Even though the shops are closed for a maximum of 36 hours at Christmas nowadays, it’s hard to shake off that bunker mentality during the festivities. Do you have enough sequins to see you through? Should you stockpile metallic platforms? What if your perfect-for-any-occasion dress turns out to be deeply flawed?

Unless you are spending your precious break somewhere very remote with friends who have highly particular tribal dress codes – perhaps you met a lively group in Boujis this year who’ve invited you to stay at somewhere called Balmoral – the chances are you probably already have everything you require sartorially speaking to get you through the season.

Then again, require doesn’t really cover it, does it? It being the insistent itch to go out and buy oneself something (or some things) that comes with spending all one’s hard-earned cash on other people day in, day out for most of December.

Since the economic arguments for not spending on yourself at this time of year can be compelling, it’s not unusual to find oneself bandying about the words “necessity” and “longevity” with even more wilful disregard for their meaning than usual. Nothing wrong with this. On the contrary, I find that idling away the odd hour or three planning the perfect Christmas wardrobe is immensely therapeutic, especially when I remember how well it’s distracting me from buying other people stuff that they’ll never use. Here are my basics:

1. Something silky. This is where China finally gets some good press, because silk of reasonably good quality is now highly affordable. Ideally, this something silky will be a dress, in a loose, casual cut that can be dressed up or down. Or, if you prefer, a tunic that can be worn with slim trousers. Chic. And that sheen means that even when you chuck on a pair of thick tights and several tonnes of knitwear, you’ll still look as if you’ve made an effort. Graham & Spencer has lovely silky tunics and dresses in black, red and grey for £224 (020-7580 8644), but there are also good ones on the high street, notably at Whistles, Jigsaw and Principles.

2. Thick tights. Obvious, I agree. But have you got the right thick tights? Didn’t know there was a right and wrong with tights? Treat yourself to a ribbed cable-knit pair from Falke and all will become clear – they don’t twist round your legs like a cat’s cradle, they last for years, provide excellent opacity and they feel lovely. They cost at least £20 as well, but hey – it’s Christmas.

3. A huge necklace. I don’t mean diamonds or diamanté, but something a bit more ethnic-meets-Darth Vader. It might feature a bit of rubber, some scrap metal, the odd feather, and it will be amazingly versatile, not to say a conversation starter. Marni leads the way, but they’re rife on the high street, too. Angelo Figus’s leather and metal collars (available from Harrods, from £250) will ensure that, even in just a T-shirt, you’ll look suitably festive.

4. A velvet blazer. Glamorous but not too glamorous, and eternally useful. Wear over a silk tunic or cable-knit cashmere.

5. Soft cashmeres. A ribbed or cable-knit cashmere immediately looks more interesting than a plain one. Tesco is even doing them now. And it’s open 24/7.

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