It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....Christmas Jumper Time!

Okay, a childlike knitted jumper with a big red-nosed reindeer as the centrepiece isn't exactly the height of fashion. But who cares? It’s Christmas!!

Christmas day invariably involves eating, a bit of lounging, some champagne quaffing, a bit more lounging and then a bit more eating….and then a bit more eating. The most strenuous thing you’re likely to do all day is unwrap presents. And boy does that feel like hard work after all of that eating!

That’s why it’s important to feel comfortable on the big day. Don’t bother trying to look glam in a sequin dress and heels. And do you think your Nan will really appreciate the effort you put into getting that perfect 1950s quiff into your hair?

Christmas day is all about the novelty knitted jumper. Wear it with jeans and flats. Or hell, just stick it on over your PJs!

Here’s my pick of the best novelty knits from the UK high street this year. I decided animal-themed was the way to go.



Top left-right: Grey wolfy, £35.99, from Zara; Red-nosed reindeer, £12, Primark.
Bottom left-right: Specky rabbit, £14.99, Internacionale; Christmas penguin, £50, Topshop.



Hats Away

One of the best things about the cold winter weather is buying a new hat. Last year I sported a red beret but this year, inspired by Downton Abbey, I decided to buy a 1920s-style cloche.

I saw a few about in the shops - Topshop, Accessorize and Hobbs have some particularly cute ones. In the end I opted for this one from TK Maxx. It was by far the cheapest I'd seen one anywhere - only £12.99 - and I really like the fact it's grey rather than black. I think it's very Lady Mary.

I wear it with a red coat I got a few years ago from Miss Selfridge and a plain black scarf. I really want a grey faux fur scarf (I've seen a nice one in Asda) but I'm going to have to wait until I've bought all of my Christmas presents. Fashion shouldn't be selfish, even though sometimes it's tempting!

Sorry, H&M But You Made a Mistake...

Notice anything unusual about this photo? Look closely and you'll see that all four models - who are quite obviously not quadruplets - have exactly the same body. Not just in a 'oh, they're all skinny models' way. But actually in a way they're completely identical.

It transpires that H&M, in their wisdom, decided to plonk real models' heads on to the same body and then just alter the skin tone accordingly. Even worse, the body used isn't even a real body in the first place - it's actually computer generated. A spokesperson defended this by saying that they take photos of the clothes on a dummy and then add the body around the image, this is so customers' eyes will be 'drawn to the garments instead of the models'.

How, I ask you H&M, can anybody envisage what they might look like in a bikini when it's been modelled by a piece of plastic and a fake body and pixels?

I find it even more worrying that the Swedish retailer doesn't seem to think they can find a real model with a good enough body to show their bikini's best potential. Maybe those size zero models just a bit fat around the hips to look good in swimwear.

I know when my next holiday comes around I won't be shopping in H&M. I think I'll save my money for somewhere that isn't afraid of real women.