What do you wear on Christmas Day if you are at home with just immediate family?

[moosemama]

That's it really. Am in bed poorly today with just the laptop for company, so thought now would be a good time to ask.

We have, over the past couple of years, started staying at home on Christmas Day, just us and the dcs.

My family pop round in the morning with presents etc and they are always glammed up in posh dresses, make-up, jewellery, high heeled shoes etc and I always feel such a frump for the rest of the day.

So, I have decided that this year will be different. Whilst I don't want to go the whole party dress and sparkly jewellery route like my family do, I would like to make a bit of an effort and at least wear something that's a step up from my usual school-run clothes, iyswim.

The thing is, I have lost over 3 stone since June and am just heading into a size 12 (started out as a size 18 wearing too-tight size 16's ) and despite looking at literally hundreds of clothes online, I don't have a clue where to start. I still have a large chest (32GG) but my waist has shrunk from 34.5" to just under 29" and my hips and bum are actually quite a good shape, probably for the first time in my life.

Recently I have been pretty much wearing all black every day, basically because I don't know what else to wear. I've been working out a lot and am pretty toned, so have been wearing black skinny jeans with either a back v-neck jumper or just a plain black long sleeved top. So I thought a bit of colour would be nice for a change.

I did buy myself a new bright pink jacket yesterday, which is a huge break from the norm for me and I am surprised at how much I love it.

Any advice from you lovely S&B ladies would be greatly appreciated.

I have a friend who sold her VW Anglomania dress on ebay as she didnt suit it at all. Seeing pics of her in it (to demonstrate how it didnt agree with her) I really cant imagine who it would have suited. She is a 12 and average height btw. The sleeves were super long and it clung in all the wrong places. Weird, huh? I'd read so many good reports on MN about them too

IME that is what happens when you need a smaller size. If you don't want to fork out the money, then M&S do a very good up-to-the-bra pants - they call them waist control or something. They are about £16 so loads cheaper than Spanx and I find them brilliant at smoothing everything out.

Oh I see - sorry I thought you wanted to and didn't think they worked, sorry

Dreadful crossed wires there

I'm a size 12, hourglass, double DD, nearly 40 and love dresses over tights/leggings easy wear with boots, when I'm not loafing in jeans. Can't really do dresses that are too unstructured though as otherwise they can hang off my boobs like a vertical cliff and make me look bigger than I am, so I always look for those like they've been cut with curves in mind.

Not really somewhere I usually look at for clothes, but lured by 25% off even already discounted sale items I found quite a few dresses I liked in Laura Ashley.

LA red shift
LA chain dress
I also bought a gorgeous casual tunic black tunic dress with purple, red and white circles that lifts it from being just black iyswim.

Would also recommend high waisted skinnies and bootcuts to give a long, lean silhouette.

I'm no expert, but I think you should be thinking about how Xmas day usually pans out - do you cook, how hot do you get? What do you normally wear on your feet in the house etc

If you feel comfiest in skinnies then go for a new pair of those. Make sure they fit well, sit down in them and stand up etc, you don't want to be constantly hoiking them up all day.

For your body shape I would think a deep round neck or v neck and a not baggy, more fitted would suit you best, otherwise you'll just look huge on top.

If you are a mucky pup (like me!), then I would try and find something with a bit of a pattern, so as best to disguise wine drips etc!!!

The VW dress looks good, but it depends on your budget. I always try and buy something that I can wear more than once.

I personally like this
www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Ponti-Pencil-Dress-with-Zip-Detail/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1593934&cid=8799&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Navy

however it's a bit plain, but it comes in 6 different colours, and would look great with some glittery bangles. Also ASOS have 30% off until 8am tomorrow.

Or this
www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Midi-Dress-with-Ruched-Panels/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1806509&cid=8799&Rf-300=2077&Rf-800=-1,90&sh=0&pge=1&pgesize=200&sort=3&clr=Purple

For knitwear
www.asos.com/NW3/NW3-by-Hobbs-Madeley-Metallic-Cardi/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1679350&cid=2637&Rf-300=2077&Rf-800=45,115&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Blackgold

Would look good with black skinnies and a cute black cammie or www.asos.com/NW3/NW3-by-Hobbs-Madeley-Metallic-Cardi/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1679350&cid=2637&Rf-300=2077&Rf-800=45,115&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Blackgold

My favourite however is this: www.asos.com/Mango/Mango-Sequin-Stars-Vest/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1812364&cid=4169&Rf900=3468,1621&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Gold
not too ott, worn with skinnies and a small black cardie. Apparently sequins are in this season!

Anyway good luck and well done with the weight loss. Get rid of your old larger clothes ASAP, and don't spend too much on 'in between' clothes, as they may be too big for you soon!

Omg - I used to be called ColonelBrandon'sBiggestGroupie - and now Colonel Brandon is on here. Swoons. :)

I always dress up. I would dress up to change the litter tray though. I shoulda been born in the glamorous 50's

Always nice to meet a fellow groupie Am liking your literary heroes!

I will be wearing a knitted striped Autograph dress - not too hot, quite smart, plenty of stretch for post dinner tummy. Pinny over the top for cooking. I'll change into jeans for the dog walking bits.

Hi there - I'm much the same size and age as you. I would go for a square-necked top in either dark grey, navy or black and team it with a shortish straight skirt and thick tights. Add some chunky silver jewellery - job done. Will try to find links to the sort of thing I mean.

Well done on your incredible weight loss!

usually a pair of yoga style trousers and a jumper or T shirt. we never dress up at home.

Higgle - I've got a couple of the Autograph striped jersey dresses and think they are brilliant. Must try a knitted one.