Viola dress, £379, L’Orla; orlakiely.com. Suede heels, £159, Senso; atterley.com. Moselle drop earrings, £150; atelierswarovski.com
This week I’m wearing… the Christmas Day dress
When it comes to the festive pinnacle, most British women fall into one of two camps: elasticated tracksuit bottoms and a poncho — to accommodate the 487 Quality Street — or a sumptuous ball gown. For me, it’s somewhere in between. Which is why I adore L’Orla, the collaboration between Orla Kiely and the stylist Leith Clark. It’s filled with original designs that flatter and conceal in all the right places. This floral jacquard dress is what I like to call a day-party dress. It’s perhaps not va-va-voom enough for an evening shindig, but with its fluttery sleeves, high neck and metallic flowers, it is just right for the yuletide shift.
Wardrobe Mistress answers your questions
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I have a pair of silver Topshop chelsea boots, but don’t know what to wear them with. I’m 5ft 8in and size 12/14. I prefer skinny trousers to dresses. Any suggestions?
What a great choice. I have my eyes on a pair of silver ankle boots by Camilla Elphick. They’ll look great with a pair of skinny black jeans and a fancy blouse. I love Sister Jane’s repertoire, such as this Bardot one (1 £52). A festive knit is a fun option, too: Boden has an embellished V-neck in grey or beige (2 £99). Or keep it simple with a top from Atterley.com (I like the gold spot Martha blouse, £58, and the white Kristen poet-sleeve, £60) and a leather jacket.
I want to buy my daughter, who is in her late teens, a clutch bag for Christmas that will appeal to her age but isn’t too childish. What can you suggest? My budget is £250.
The leopard snake Rivington clutch from Whistles (3 £85), with Saint Laurent overtones, comes with a slim gold chain that you can tuck inside to clutch and extend to sling over your shoulder. Shrimps’ faux-fur clutches are also popular; I love the new ones featuring Hannah Weiland’s quirky illustrations (4 £195; shrimps.co.uk). A Lulu Guinness Perspex Lips clutch is timeless — my sister bought hers five years ago and still uses it (£245; avenue32.com).
I’m 46 and looking for a cocktail necklace that’s not too girly. I like metals — nothing too colourful or plastic. Is that possible?
The Swedish designer Cornelia Webb is great for “non-pretty”, statement jewellery (5wired open necklace, £145; corneliawebb.com). Cos is great for pieces with an architectural, androgynous look, so why not try its brass geometric necklace (£39)? Marni isn’t all embellished gems — its resin and brass necklace (£300; selfridges.com) is an unusual and cool shape.