Christmas is about decoration and sparkle of all kinds; we asked six women with different styles about their go-to outfits, and how they master dressing up for the festive season.
Andrea Horan
Owner, Tropical Popical nail bar
“For me, Christmas is about the lead-up, not just the day – people coming home from abroad in those few days before Christmas, and you are running into people you haven’t seen for ages.
“Christmas Day at home is always cosy as opposed to glamorous. I like to redo something in the wardrobe and add a new angle. This white dress by Natalie B Coleman was made for a wedding about eight years ago when I was a bridesmaid and all the bridesmaids wore white dresses. With crisp and frosty weather in mind, I took it out, added a hat, muff and tartan scarf as I wanted a bit of razzle dazzle to contrast with the cosy socks and little Arctic boots.
“I hate wearing coats, but always have warm accessories to hand so that they can be taken off, put in a bag and I’m ready to go from taxi to party.”
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Breege O’Donoghue
Former board director Primark/Penneys
“My black three-piece velvet trouser suit, lightly dusted with silver crystals, is by FeeG – it feels simple and elegant. The black boots by Kurt Geiger also have a touch of festive sparkle, so they work together without being too showy. The cap, which also has a little black sparkle, is Louise Kennedy. I’ve always loved dressing up for Christmas – there is a little magic in adding a bit of sparkle to the season, something that lifts the heart.
“That love of occasion goes right back to my childhood in the Burren in the late 40s and early 50s, when my mother would also have sewn my Easter clothes – something beautiful, always finished with an Easter bonnet for travelling to the Easter ceremonies. My journey never began with an engine’s purr but with a gentle neigh from a beautiful horse called Paddy, decked out in bells and bows in the colours of the season.
Dressing for me for Christmas or Easter has always been a way of celebrating life and honouring moments that matter - Christmas fashion is not always about glamour but about a joyful spirit, a shimmer of colour and detail capturing the warmth of the season.”
Val Forde
Marketing director at Paul Sheeran Jewellers
“I’m wearing a Queen of Archive navy velvet dress with sparkles – it’s quite Vampire’s Wife – with shoes from Zara and a Cartier diamond watch from Paul Sheeran. I love a bit of bling. I have just given my daughter her first piece of jewellery for her birthday, a little locket that says Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
“I’ve always loved dressing up for Christmas. Growing up in Galway, we all went to mass and afterwards my parents had neighbours in for drinks on Christmas morning and the house would be full of brown bread and smoked salmon. I carry on that tradition. We live in Dublin now but will spend this Christmas in Galway for the first time for our kids, so it will be special for them. There’s a big tradition of going to the prom and watching everyone swimming.”
Marija Asklimoska
Perfumer, founder of Parfumarija
“This frothy tulle dress is by LouLou which I bought years ago online. I’m that woman who insists on looking her best at Christmas, and I make my children put on beautiful dresses and take photos so that when they grow up, they will look at them fondly. It’s truly a special family moment.
“Christmas for me [growing up in Macedonia] was never celebrated because my father thought it pagan. It was only when I met my husband Brendan 20 years ago that I discovered the magic of Christmas when he took me to Donegal to meet his parents; the moment we started opening presents and had dinner, I got bitten by the magic and had my second childhood. It was the lovely table décor, the music, the wine – it was like being in an American movie. I have very much embraced that whole atmosphere and ritual, and now I do exactly the same in my home.”
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Carmel Walsh
Creative director/fashion/beauty/lifestyle
“I love dressing up. This is a vintage Italian 80s handmade cocktail dress. Last year for a home family Christmas event I wore a lime green devore Jil Sander dress with The Row bag and Fendi shoes. The mini members of the family call me “the Grinch” when I wear it.
“To embrace the more eccentric side of Christmas festivities, I love bringing out the cocktail dresses. They never fail to galvanise the dress code, inviting everyone to lean into the drama and go a little wild. So this dress was a collective gift from a group of dear friends for my 25th birthday in Florence (where I was living), a vintage gem from the early 80s. I’m wearing it here with Khaite heels.”
Orla Sheridan
Personal stylist
“I’m wearing a fringed cream oversize Aran handknit from The Tweed Project, paired with a Sandro dress I wore for my daughter’s communion last year – which has had more than 30 wears.
“I grew up in Foxford in Mayo and always loved the idea of dressing up for Christmas and getting a new outfit, which could have been passed down. Coming from a family of five, we always got dressed up. I remember a boutique called Don Racine in Castlebar [which closed in October] and we got three matching outfits – little tartan skirts with matching polo necks. My love of fashion comes from my mother and aunts who travelled a lot.
“Normally we celebrate Christmas in Mayo, but this year my mother will join us in Galway where we have just completed the restoration of our first house, in Salthill.”
