Festive fashion: Going green for Christmas

Looking for inspiration for Christmas looks? Head to the enchanted forest. Stephanie Smith finds festive looks from day to night. Plus Yorkshire Fashion Diary.
Forest green shift dress with velvet sleeve ties, £59, at Sosandar.com.Forest green shift dress with velvet sleeve ties, £59, at Sosandar.com.
Forest green shift dress with velvet sleeve ties, £59, at Sosandar.com.

For those of us looking to channel festive style without being mistaken for Santa’s little helper or the fairy on top of the Christmas tree, forest green is providing a rich and resplendent response this year.

Dark but not overly so, earthy yet vibrant, intriguing as it hints at folklore and fairytales, forest green has been bubbling through runways and High Streets for a few seasons. Now, for Christmas 2018, the shade is truly coming into its own, offering a subtle and sophisticated approach to festive dressing, bringing bewitching options for daywear and party looks.

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Forest green with sparkle is an alluring combination, so look out for metallic yarn and sequin pieces, to pair with black, brown and navy. Head for Wallis to find prime examples, including a high-neck, long-sleeve, fitted sequin top that could easily be worn under a jacket or cardigan for a day at the office, and then unveiled to work its magic for dinner or the office party later.

Twist front sparkle dress in khaki, £24.99, Rochelle Humes edit at New Look.Twist front sparkle dress in khaki, £24.99, Rochelle Humes edit at New Look.
Twist front sparkle dress in khaki, £24.99, Rochelle Humes edit at New Look.

Rochelle Humes has picked out an edit for New Look and includes in it this twist-front jersey kimono dress, alongside some highly wearable velvet jumpsuits and other pieces that can be mixed and matched through the Christmas period.

For a tailored look in forest green, a wool or wool-blend blazer (such as the one featured here from M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer) adds a modern-day Maid Marion appeal to daywear looks, easily worked into weekend jeans outfits and smarter office-friendly ensembles. Team with skinny jeans and knee-high boots for shopping and brunch. As I write, I’m imagining this look for browsing Christmas markets and fairs.

When it comes to accessories, especially bags, shoes and belts, there are plenty to choose from in forest green and indeed other greens, so you can add an accent as a nod to the trend, or experiment with green on green for a co-ordinated, pulled together feel (gold and silver trims and jewellery will stop you looking like a a fir tree or a flight attendant).

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Forest green velvet is a trend-ticking luxe option, especially for party wear. This Wallis wrap dress has got Christmas Day written all over it with its tummy-flattering drapery and simple shape. The colour lends an extra dose of sophistication without any extra effort. The Pure Collection biker, meanwhile, is a refined showstopper. Snap up pieces such as this while you can, and don’t worry about them dating – these are evergreen,

Velvet biker jacket, £150; soft pleat skirt, £90. Both at PureCollection.com.Velvet biker jacket, £150; soft pleat skirt, £90. Both at PureCollection.com.
Velvet biker jacket, £150; soft pleat skirt, £90. Both at PureCollection.com.

* Find out how to buy mint Mulberrys and other designer bags at bargain prices here.

YORKSHIRE FASHION DIARY

Now to December 16: Shoes: Vivienne Westwood, The Creation of an Iconic Shoe, a pop-up exhibition celebrating craftsmanship and longevity in design at Vivienne Westwood, Victoria Leeds. A journey through the brand’s shoe archive, highlighting the designer’s unique approach to footwear and her defiance of the rules of wearability and convention.

November 23: Simply Ladies fashion show, Banyan, City Square in Leeds. Real women of all ages and sizes model clothes from emerging designers, including BMintage and Wake. Starts at 6.30pm and tickets are available on Eventbrite, starting at £10. A percentage of the funds raised from the event will be donated to St Gemma’s Hospice. Visit www.simplyladiesinc.com

Green sequin top, £50, at Wallis.Green sequin top, £50, at Wallis.
Green sequin top, £50, at Wallis.
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November 23-29 (opening night on Thursday, November 22): Leeds Arts University Postgraduate Show presenting a variety of original work produced by masters students, inclusing Ailin Schulz Jones, David Crossland, Diane Shillito, Joshua Houghton, Keeley Stone, Louise Elizabeth Richards, Mikkel Ullah, Nicola Lee, Rachel Sedman, Richard Baker and Russell Hughes. See www.leeds-art.ac.uk/news-events/events-exhibitions.

Now to January 2019: Catwalking: Fashion through the lens of Chris Moore runs at The Bowes Museum, Teesdale.