What the Fashion Team wear for Christmas from festive sparkles to luxe velvet… and ALWAYS an elasticated waist

CHRISTMAS is here and whether that means party frocks or wrapping up, there are fashion decisions to be made.

Here, the Fabulous fashion team round up their top festive picks.

ABBY: SILKY PJS

ABBY McHALE, 27, Senior Stylist and Fashion Writer: Christmas Day, for me, is all about comfort. So this year I’m staying in my pyjamas. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still make an effort with my hair and make-up and put on some fancy PJs. I won’t be wearing the ones I slept in.

Abby says Christmas Day is all about comfort

But after weeks of dressing up for festivities, I want to be able to relax.

The day is spent with family, eating, drinking and playing games.

So why do I need to dress up for that?

Normally I love putting on my fancy frocks. But I’d prefer to spend Christmas Day inside an elasticated waistband rather than itchy sequins.

This year I’m going for satin pyjamas that could actually double up as a slouchy co-ord. So I won’t look out of place next to my family, who won’t wear PJs like me.

They wear the same stuff as any other day of the year.

So there’s no point me sitting in sparkles next to my dad in a hoodie.

And I’ll be extra-excited getting dressed to the nines for New Year’s Eve.

TRACEY: CASHMERE

TRACEY LEA SAYER, 50, Fashion Director: I spend most of Christmas Day running around after everyone.

My husband and I always have the whole family over to our house at Christmas and while he is the head cook, I am most definitely chief pot-washer.

Tracey says her cashmere lounge set feels luxe enough to wear on a special day

I usually stick on a comfy jogger set in the morning – one I don’t mind ruining while we do all the food prep! – with the good intention of changing into something a tad more festive for the sit-down.

That NEVER happens.

By the time we dish up, I just can’t be bothered. I dress up a lot for work events all year round, so at Christmas, with my nearest and dearest, I just want to relax.

Well, I say “relax” . . . 

After dinner we usually play charades and Just Dance on the Wii with the kids, so I need to wear something I can jump around and bust a few moves in.

Last year I upped my joggers game to an F&F cashmere lounge set which was luxe enough to feel like it was a special day.

And the elastic waistband meant I could go back for a second helping of Christmas pudding.

CLEMMIE: SPARKLES

CLEMMIE FIELDSEND, 31, Fashion Editor: For roughly 360 days of the year, you can predict I’ll be wearing jeans or black trousers with a plain jumper or T-shirt, depending on the season.

But when it comes to Christmas I’m a different gal. Ever since I was little, glad rags are an essential part of the festive period. Friends know I’ll be thinking in mid-November about what I’m going to wear on the big day!

It’s fun to get into the Christmas spirit with festive outfits, says Clemmie

Don’t get me wrong. I’m never that organised about what I wear day to day, purely because my wardrobe is variations of neutral basics.

But it’s fun getting into the Christmas spirit with festive outfits.

I’m talking sequins, velvet, tulle, big shapes, bling, faux fur . . . the aim is to outdo the tree!

In the past I’ve stuck to my traditional black – because I still like to feel like myself – with a dusting of sparkle. I’ve done sequin-fringed skirts with a roll neck; jewel embellished trousers and a sleek knit; and a wide-leg velvet suit.

This year, it’s a toss-up depending on how much I overindulge in the run-up to December 25.

I’m thinking a black velvet dress with a whopping pink bow on the shoulder, or a feathered co-ord from Karen Millen.

The disguising plumes mean I can cram in endless canapes.

NANA: GREEN GOWN

NANA ACHEAMPONG, 35, Celebrity Style Editor: I love being the most overdressed person every day of the year – and Christmas Day is no exception.

In fact, it’s when I have a legitimate reason to be super-dressed-up.

Nana loves going all out with her fashion on Christmas Day

I usually travel to see family in Ghana or the US at Christmas, so my outfit very much reflects my settings.

For Ghana, my main concern is keeping cool in the heat – so a slip dress or a floating skirt and cami top.

In Atlanta, the temperature is a lot lower and I usually go for a jumpsuit or trouser suit with heeled boots.

With last year’s lockdown, I wanted to feel extra-special on Christmas Day. So I literally dressed up as a Christmas tree.

I can always rely on the H&M Conscious collection to bring out some show-stopping dresses and last year was no different.

The green tulle frock is the dress of dreams and I wore some diamante Kurt Geiger heels for extra sparkle.

JESS – FESTIVE FEATHERS:

JESS EVANS, 26, Stylist: Playing dress-up for the festive holidays is probably my favourite thing about Christmas. Putting together a ridiculously over-the-top get-up is my idea of a good time.

Stylist Jess believes you should ‘go big or go home’ with your festive fashion

Previous years have seen designer dresses costing the bulk of my month’s salary, followed by a lot of regret and a LOT of wine.

With last year being locked down with just my fiancé for Christmas company, as lovely as it was, I am ready to go BIG with the Christmas clobber for 2021.

Looking back at previous outfits, I’ve decided to ditch my party dress tradition this year and opt for something different. I’ve got my eye on a spectacular pastel pink feather top which just screams EXTRA and I am here for it.

Paired with cool leather trousers (elastic waist, of course), chunky velvet platforms and a tuxedo blazer, I just can’t wait to sport this look on Saturday.

Most of my family follow suit and also pull out their Sunday best for the special occasion – you only live once, so why dress boring?

Go big or go home.