Alice Catherine

I recently went to shoot in the Altrincham Everyman Cinema after seeing how beautiful their screening rooms were online. Most of the content I shoot for my blog throughout the year is street style based, so it’s really nice to have a bit more fun with the locations at this time of year. Plus, I’m in favour of a comfortable velvet armchair in exchange of a freezing bench in central Manchester any day of the week…

My theme for this post is understated festive looks. It’s basically my theme every year if I’m being honest – I like to feel comfortable, and I don’t like spending a lot of money on something I can only wear a few times a year. Pretty much everything I’ve featured in this post are pieces I’ve had for a while now, pieces that are interchangeable for party season, and pieces that I know I won’t tire of come 2019…

I thought I’d talk you through some of my key wardrobe staples for the month of December, and why they won’t stop being useful when the chocolate and cheeseboard hangovers start to loom, and the New Years confetti settles…

THE TRUSTY CARDIGAN

Cardigans are not just for Christmas, they are a way of life! I’ve worn cardigans since I pretty much came out the womb (seriously, you should see my childhood albums), and I can’t see this changing anytime soon. Whether it’s hung over my shoulders on those evening summer walks, or buttoned up with a turtle neck underneath when the snow starts to fall – cardigans are some of the hardest working pieces in my wardrobe. You can even wear them buttoned up with layered gold jewellery for a chic/French girl look, nobody would even guess that you forgot to pack your sequin cami…

THE BEADED BAG

Yep, the Granny-chic bag of the moment that doesn’t appear to be going anywhere any time soon – beaded bags will always be fun. Whether it’s classic pearls, or Nineties baby pink crystals, a beaded bag will always add a little something something to an understated outfit. It’s the ‘lazy girls’ weapon of choice, and one that I’m more than happy to carry my lipstick (and snacks) around in all year long…

THE SATIN SLIP

Whether it’s a satin dress or a silky slip skirt, it’s the one party piece that I always find myself coming back to! I wore satin skirts all summer long with T-shirts tucked into them, and now they are keeping me content with statement knitwear and chunky ankle boots. You can roll them in your work bag for a last minute toilet change before you dash out to meet friends, you can wear them all year round and you’ll never look out of place…

THE BELOVED BLOUSE

Whatever your personal style, there’s always a blouse out there that will reflect your personality – gold satin, leopard print, polka dots and wrap arounds. Blouses come in all shapes and sizes, and will always make your favourite pair of jeans dance floor worthy with the right pair of shoes! Wear them bundled up with knitwear, or layered under slip dresses for the festive season. Wear them tucked into shorts, or layered over swimwear for that summer holiday you’re already mapping out…

THE OVERSIZED BLAZER

A strong staple all year round for me. Oversized linen in the summer thrown over my favourite wrap dresses – checks in abundance for the winter months for serious vintage vibes. My blazer obsession is out of control, and there’s nothing that makes me feel more confident when I dress up for an evening out. Blazers make me feel my most powerful, and that’s something I’ll never get tired of exploring…

I hope you enjoyed these festive looks and that they have inspired you to do some some deeper digging into your own wardrobes. Of course, it’s always nice to pick up a few new pieces at this time of year, but if we shop well, the pieces we already own have the ability to look brand new again… 

Photographs taken by Catherine Booty, Altrincham Everyman cinema 

Look one: cardigan, trousers & bag are vintage. Shoes by Miyerh

Look two: cardigan is vintage, skirt by Realisation Par, boots by Jonak

Look three: Blazer & blouse are vintage, trousers by Finery, bag by Musier, shoes by Topshop