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61 of the best shoes, handbags and dresses for the Christmas season

best shoes handbags dresses christmas season winter festive what wear buy 2021
best shoes handbags dresses christmas season winter festive what wear buy 2021

This Christmas we deserve to go all out with our celebrations and what better way than by dusting off our finery and putting on some sparkles. Here's our edit of the best bling to buy now...

Best new season buys for Christmas 2021

The bag

The party bag must be big enough to fit all the essentials - keys, phone, credit card - and little else. It only comes out once a year, so consider renting. There are designer options you have only dreamt of for a fraction of the price, plus you won’t feel guilty about buying something ostentatious.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

From top to bottom: Sequin bag, rent from £49 a month, Cocoon; Crepe and feather blouse, £250, Rixo; Yellow gold, diamond and enamel ring, £510, Mejuri. Crystal bag, £334, Area at The Outnet; Crepe and feather dress, £1,200, Taller Marmo at Net-a-Porter; Silver plated and Swarovski crystal ring, £45, Susan Caplan. Feather bag, £260, Loeffler Randall; Silk dress, £499, Filiarmi; Gold vermeil and topaz ring (middle finger), £850 and gold vermeil, amethyst and oro ring (ring finger), £450, Dinny Hall

And the best of the rest...

Bags
Bags

Clockwise from top left: Leather bag, £175, Ganni; Leather bag, £225, Russell & Bromley; Crystal bag, £59.99, Mango; Woven bag, £100, Uterqüe

Velvet

Comfortable, slinky and seasonal, if in doubt reach for velvet. A pair of black velvet trousers will last year after year (if you buy well) and will go with all manner of party tops. Feeling bold? Go for a pastel shade which will look beautiful moving on the dance floor.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

Apollo wears: Velvet dress, £140, 8 by YOOX; Pearl earrings, £76, Shyla

Co-ord

The co-ord has infinite outfit opportunities. Wear the top half for a jeans-and-nice-top combo and the bottom half with cosy cashmere. Together they have maximum impact - pair with minimal shoes to let the clothes do the talking.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

From left to right, Diane wears: Lurex top, £175 and skirt, £295, Joseph. Lee-Lee wears: Silver blouse, £140 and jacquard trousers, £210, Stine Goya; Sterling silver earrings, £100, Dinny Hall. Apollo wears: Satin top, £19.99 and satin skirt, £19.99, Zara; Pavé diamond and yellow gold earrings, £475, Mejuri

And the best of the rest...

co-ords
co-ords

L-R: Satin shirt, £65 and trousers, £75, Hush; Sequin top, £119 and skirt, £119, Whistles; Printed top, £185 and skirt, £219, Munthe

Sequins

Sequins needn’t be uncomfortable. Looser fits are everywhere this season (ideal for Chrismas lunch!) but that doesn’t mean compromising on glamour. Sequin shirts are a good way to add sparkle if you’re after a more casual approach. Pair with a poppy red lip.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

From left to right, Diane wears: Sequin dress, £199, All Saints. Apollo wears: Sequin dress, £59.99, Zara; Pavé diamond and yellow gold earrings, £475, Mejuri

Suit

For those not keen on dresses, a winter suit is worth investing in. Perennially chic, it’s something you can rely on year after year. Choose a colour that you know you’ll love (jewel tones always look good in the winter) and separate the pieces for more casual options.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

Lee-Lee wears: Velvet jacket, £790 and trousers, £390, Bella Freud; Cotton lace top, £150, ME + EM; Leather shoes, £149, Whistles; Crystal and rose gold tone plated earrings, £65, Swarovski

And the best of the rest...

Suits
Suits

L-R: Satin blazer, £325 and trousers, £225, The Fold; Lamé blazer, £389 and skirt, £165, J.Crew; Organic corduroy blazer, £205 and trousers, £125, Aspiga

Shoes

Key components to the dance-all-night shoe include adjustable strap, walkable heel height, comfortable footbed and, most importantly, that they look utterly fabulous. Cue the music!

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

Diane wears: Liquid metallic dress, £590, Ilta; Leather shoes, £170, Camilla Elphick

And the best of the rest...

shoes
shoes

Clockwise from top left: Lamé platform sandals, £400, Loeffler Randall; Leather slingbacks, £229, LK Bennett; Velvet heels, £79, AND/OR at John Lewis; Beaded Mary Janes, £59, Charles & Keith

Jewellery

More is more this year. Adorn yourself with gems and have fun with accessories. Clever layering can go a long way, or stick to one statement piece for a celebration of sparkle.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

Apollo wears: Metallic jersey dress, £180, Reformation; Gold plated earrings, £72, Shyla. Lee-Lee wears: Tulle dress, £175, & Other Stories; Diamanté and faux pearl earrings, £150, Shrimps

And the best of the rest...

jewellery
jewellery

L-R: Agate and yellow gold bracelet, £175, Astley Clarke; Gold plated and zirconia earrings, £198, Thomas Sabo; Gold plated and zirconia ring, £85, Daphine

Pattern

Not for the faint hearted, an all-over pattern is a real statement-maker. Put separates with darker colours to make them shine.

Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management
Photographer Simone Steenberg, Styling Sophie Tobin, Make-up by Nancy Sumner, Hair by Ross McLaughlin, Production Eighteen Management

From left to right, Diane wears: Bamboo blend satin blouse, £132, Rodebjer at The Outnet; Sequin trousers, £229, LK Bennett. Lee-Lee wears: Sequin dress, £135, & Other Stories; Leather shoes, £280, Dear Frances; Sterling silver earrings, £100, Dinny Hall. Apollo wears: Satin dress, £510, Bernadette at Matches; Gold plated and diamond necklace, £225, Monica Vinader; Leather shoes, £215, Russell & Bromley

And the best of the rest...

pattern
pattern

L-R: Tinsel knitted jumper, £55, Warehouse; Silk dress, £350, Olivia Rubin; Sequin skirt, £265, Rixo

Photographer Simone Steenberg; Stylist Sophie Tobin; Hair by Ross McLaughlin using Bumble & Bumble; Make-up by Nancy Sumner at Eighteen Management Using NARS Cosmetics; Photographer assisted by Connor Egan & Izzy Jamous; Production Eighteen Management

Models: Apollo @ Milk Management, Lee-Lee @ Models 1, Diane @ Grey Model Agency