Bazaar UK's fashion director, Avril Mair, sorts you out for the upcoming Christmas and New Year's parties

Avril Mair is here to help you solve your fashion woes with simple ideas that can help you dress it up or tone it down. Get ready to be inspired as she guides you through the art of styling, ensuring your fashion choices make a statement that reflects your unique style.

Question: I’m going to several Christmas parties that will have a similar crowd in attendance. I don’t want to buy six different outfits I’ll only wear once—can you suggest one or two hard-working pieces that I can style in fresh ways?

Avril Mair: A two-piece is a better investment than a dress, as you obviously double the outfit options. Also, trousersuits are everywhere right now, so there’s plenty to choose from at all price points. Me + Em’s black-velvet number feels sleek and modern, but also suitably celebratory; it would be great with just a camisole underneath and stilettos, à la Saint Laurent Le Smoking, but you could wear it with a shirt and brogues for a more androgynous look. The trousers would work with a silk blouse, the jacket would work over a dress…the possibilities are endless.

Q: I’m at my in-laws’ for Boxing Day lunch. They tend to look askance if I wear anything deemed ‘too sexy’, but they also always have the heating turned up to a million degrees. Any ideas for something suitably demure? 

AM: Let me show you Kaia Gerber on the Valentino couture catwalk (far left). Now, unless you are Catherine, Princess of Wales, it’s unlikely couture features in your Christmas plans. But this shows how chic an item as simple as a white shirt can be with the right styling—pair it with jeans, a party flat and good earrings. (Maybe fasten a few more buttons until the second glass of sherry, though.)

Q: My partner buys me jewellery for Christmas every year, and I never like it. What should I do?

AM: Tell them you want to add something specific to your collection—and show them what it is. Try smaller Brit brands for affordable, ethical creativity—Completedworks is every fashion editor’s favourite for super-chic earrings (the ones pictured on this page are in recycled silver). Its super-sparkly initial pendants are top of my wish list. 

Q: Any recommendations for keeping warm during the festive season? I love sleeveless silhouettes and shorter dresses, but I’m constantly cold. What are your cover-up suggestions? 

AM: I’ve just bought a slightly oversized washed-leather biker jacket from All Saints and it has proved to be a wardrobe revelation. It gives a little rock ’n’ roll spirit to everything—there’s nothing it can’t be thrown over, whether with arms in sleeves or draped on shoulders—and it’s a perfect counterpoint to more prim styles. It also channels nineties teen spirit with a mini dress.

Q: How should I dress for a New Year’s Eve party? I want to stand out! 

AM: Ditch the LBD for red. Things are hotting up this season, and Roland Mouret’s siren-worthy design is the reason why. The man who created the Galaxy dress is back, with a take on the trend that’s minimal yet structured for maximum impact. 

Q: I haven’t worn heels since March 2020. Is it time to start again? 

AM: I think so, yes. What’s out of fashion is any kind of footwear that compromises your ability to be fabulous. But a kitten heel is always a good idea: Emilia Wickstead’s embellished slingbacks would dress up anything, from this season’s baggy denim to utilitarian cargo pants, which have replaced tracksuit bottoms as the trousers du jour.

This piece originally appeared in the Dec 2023/Jan 2024 print edition of Harper's Bazaar USA.

Feature Image Credit: @gazettedbt/Instagram

Image Credits: @polosandshirtsfashion/Instagram

Image Credits: @invincible_under_leather/Instagram