It’s time! As soon as the blaze of bonfire night dies down, for me it’s time to look ahead to the next point of light which, of course, is Christmas. So here’s the plan. I’m going to bring you quite a few bitesized posts like this one today but they’ll be interspersed with longer ones. They’ll all be clearly headed so that even if you don’t feel like thinking about Christmas yet, you can find them easily when you do.
This week I’m going to be looking mostly at partywear. I suppose we could use the aeroplane oxygen mask analogy and say that we need to focus on ourselves first before we spend the next few weeks thinking about everyone else. So today I’m starting with the easiest kind of Christmas look – a great top that you can wear with jeans… or a skirt… or velvet trousers. Easy chic.
Midlifechic Christmas edit – party tops
- Navy lace blouse with tie-neck – sumptuous heavy lace and beautifully cut, this steps away from a classic look thanks to the black ribbon at the neck which adds a dash of Parisian chic
- Silver sequin v-neck – a party top that covers your upper arms but is selling out fast. Also available in berry or black.
- Champagne tie neck – the beautiful detail on this top is that it ties with a generous bow at the back of the neck. Also available in black.
- Irridescent spot top – for all lovers of a polka dot, this has a tie that cinches the waist.
- Frilled satin blouse – I usually step away from black but this has such a lovely neckline that I had to include it, it’s very alluring.
- Teal sequin cami – I’ve just bought this to lift my black going-out jacket and the bonus is that it works beautifully with my green Hush jacket too. I sized down for a neat fit but if you prefer something looser, go for your usual size. Also available in black, black and silver, navy or blush.
- Pyjama-style blouse – the louche, pyjama look is a key trend this season but it’s hard to find one that isn’t polyester. This is a cupro / viscose mix so it has a satin appearance but is derived from breathable, natural fibres.
- Sheer sleeved sequin top – lovely for partywear and it’s great that the sequins go all the way round and don’t just cover the front. Also available in black or berry.
- Gold star sweatshirt – a chic version of a Christmas jumper, this is great for daywear as well as for night
- Burgundy sequin tee with a boat neck that is cut to skim the clavicles and capped sleeves that cover the upper arms. Also available in champagne or black.
- Metallic rainbow spot blouse – this blouse takes the rainbow trend into partywear and it has lovely balloon sleeves as well. Wear the tie in a low knot rather than a high bow to lengthen the appearance of the neck.
- Metallic satin blouse – beautifully cut with deep, buttoned cuffs, it will also bounce warm light onto your face in the same way as candlelight, giving you a healthy glow.
- Champagne sequin tee – a clavicle-flattering neckline and a beautiful, contrasting tie at the back. Also available in black.
- Pleat detail velvet body – another alluring number. It’s designed as a body so it won’t add bulk at the waist and it’ll stay tucked in. The perfect top to wear with wide trousers or a full midi-skirt and a great price too. Available in midnight blue and black
So, there you have it, the first of the Christmas posts. Before I go I just want to recommend something that will lift your days and help you to appreciate winter. In fact I was introduced to this book by some of you last year and I bought it rather late so I’m really enjoying it this year. It’s called The Christmas Chronicles but actually it’s a book in praise of winter. Written by my favourite food writer, Nigel Slater, it reads like a diary with an entry for each day starting from 4th November. It’s a celebration of food and the changes that you see in both the countryside and the city at this time of year. He writes beautifully with a mix of nostalgia and reflection – and of course there are new recipes every day too. I read each day’s excerpt straight after breakfast and it helps me to relish the day ahead by making me more aware of the hint of winter in my surroundings.
In terms of buying it, you won’t be able to appreciate it fully if you download it – you need the glory of the hardback version. In line with thinking more about where we spend our money, I’m including two options: cheaper, faster and easier or a more ethical route. I won’t know which one you choose so it’s up to you!
I’m glad to say that I’m back to full health which means I’m starting to catch up with your comments. Thank you so much for bearing with me over the last month. Have a lovely evening and I’ll be back again tomorrow with another Christmas planning post.
Disclosure: ‘Midlifechic Christmas edit – party tops’ is not a sponsored post
Other Autumn/Winter 18 posts you may have missed
Small British brands run by women like us
The best ankle boots for different trouser shapes
Midlife lately and amazing women over 50
Winter wardrobe building blocks
Chic new bags – the winter collection from Midlifechic
A week of two halves at Midlifechic
Coats knits and boots from JD Williams
Embracing autumn and bringing it in
Midlifechic edit – Marks & Spencer AW18
What I’ve been wearing and a midlife lately catch-up
John Lewis & Partners new women’s clothing review
Colour trends AW18 and how to work them
How to wear Hush when you don’t do slouchy
Inès de La Fressange at Uniqlo AW18 review
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