The lesson that Christmas teaches us about clothes
One of the things I always notice at Christmas is how much our mindset shifts around clothes.
And I don’t just mean Christmas Day. I mean the whole of December, often stretching right through into the New Year. Suddenly, the rules feel different.
Sequins come out.
Hairbands go on.
Fun earrings appear.
Quirky jumpers.
Statement dressing.
At Christmas, we collectively loosen our grip on “normal”. We dress more joyfully, more playfully, and crucially with far less fear of judgement.
The interesting part isn’t the clothes themselves. It’s the permission.
Think about how you’d feel wearing a sequin skirt on an ordinary Tuesday in February. For many of us, it would feel a bit uncomfortable, like people might look twice.
But at Christmas? It feels completely acceptable.
So what changes?
At Christmas, we give ourselves a story: it’s allowed. We expect sparkle. We expect boldness. We expect a little bit of extra. And because everyone else is doing the same, we stop questioning ourselves.
I often tell my kids that Christmas wouldn’t be special if it happened every day. The fact it’s contained is what makes it magical. But while the event needs boundaries, I mean Santa can’t come everyday, the feeling doesn’t.
That confidence. That lightness. That willingness to show up as yourself.
That’s something we can take with us all year round.
How to dress a little more “Christmas” every day
So here is my take on how to dress a bit more Christmas everyday! Borrowing the energy of Christmas dressing and applying it in ways that work for our JOYFUL real life.
1. Let one joyful piece lead
At Christmas, outfits often start with a statement, the sparkly skirt, the bold jumper, the fun accessory. Try doing the same in everyday life. Choose one piece that makes you smile, then build the rest of the outfit around it.
2. Use accessories as permission
Hairbands, earrings, shoes, bags, these are where Christmas dressing really shines. They’re low effort, low commitment, and incredibly powerful. A fun accessory can lift even the most practical outfit.
3. Stop saving things for “special”
One of the biggest Christmas lessons is how many lovely things we own that we rarely wear. If it feels too nice for an ordinary day, ask yourself why. Clothes don’t lose their value by being worn, they gain it.
4. Notice when you feel most like yourself
Have a think about how you felt when you were getting dressed in December. More confident? More expressive? Less apologetic? That version of you isn’t seasonal, she’s just been given more space and more social confidence to wear what she wants!
5. Remember that confidence often comes after you get dressed
At Christmas, we don’t wait to feel confident before putting the outfit on, we trust the process. Everyday dressing works the same way. Sometimes the outfit leads, and the feeling follows.
Christmas reminds us that clothes can be playful, expressive, and joyful, and that we’re allowed to enjoy them without explanation.
The trick isn’t keeping the sequins out all year. It’s keeping the permission that goes with them!
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