The holiday season brings forth our least favourite part of merry December - the weather. Yes, we know it's freezing and you'd rather spend your weekends decorating your flat and belting Michel Bublé's Christmas album. Or for those of you that aren't lonely and dreading the fact that you won't have a New Years kiss, we imagine you spend your holidays snuggled under blankets with your significant other, drinking mulled wine and watching Elf or Love Actually. Must be nice. No. Really. We're not bitter...
Though the weather outside is frightful, we must brace ourselves for the terrifying moment when you open the door and the cold air attacks your face. We can't think of many reasons we actually would face the frigid outside world given that Uber Eats and Netflix exist - except, of course, Christmas parties.
Say what you will, but there's not a person in this world that doesn't love a good Christmas party. Black tie attire, champagne, Nat King Cole, being surrounded by loved ones and of course, drama - what could be better? Family festivities and holiday parties reunite everyone but if we're being honest, they usually all end the same. You hug and you kiss and you love each other until somebody's uncle has one too many flutes and shouts out Jesus or announces that so and so is having an affair. Dramatic events are inevitable at Christmas parties, so you might as well dress for the occasion.
LBDs, glittery skirts and bright red suits are the obvious go-tos for any Christmas party. I mean, you have to be festive don't you? This goes for accessories as well. And no, we don't mean a hat in the shape of a Christmas tree or a necklace with an ornament on it, we're talking more along the lines of Chanel or Gucci - handbags in particular. So if you're struggling with what piece to compliment your look with, don't panic - we've got you covered.
Are you internally screaming as much as we are right now? How could you not be? We love this little munchkin so much we could squeeze her. I mean, what else do you really need to carry with you at a Christmas party besides a couple cigarettes and a Chanel-red lipstick? This itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny Mulberry Lily is the ideal bag to accompany you to any holiday event, especially because it won't get in the way. The deep green hue is pretty much the epitome of Christmas, but there's no reason why she can't attend other events or daily excursions with you. Basically you just need the Mini Mulberry Lily in your life - point blank. Sorry, we don't make the rules, or in other words (and in the spirit of Christmas) we didn't write the bible, we just speak it.
For those of you who want to be more dramatic than the actual drama that occurs at family holiday events then look no further - the Paris / Edinburgh Tartan Boy bag is a no-brainer. The only thing that would make this bag more festive is if it had "Christmas" written across the front of it. Come on, a red, white and green velvet tartan bag? You honestly can't do better than this one. Though its a bit on the casual side in comparison to our other options, there's no reason why you can't glam it up with a black silk jumpsuit and a pair of red velvet Loubs. We know you're envisioning yourself with it right now.
For the It-girl who's probably bored out of her mind because her favourite cousin is a no-show and now she's surrounded by old people she has nothing in common with...we get you. You also probably already own this bag in a different colour because yes, Gucci designs handbags for girls like you. But the red is just...so...Chistmassy. With its bright hue accented by a prominent gold buckle and green / red striped ribbon, you just can't go wrong with the Sylvie. It's pretty much a decoration in itself. The great thing about the Sylvie is that you can easily take it from day to night, but it's also the perfect balance of sophistication and youthfulness. Driven by youth culture, Gucci is an It-brand that creates It-bags for It-girls, but this one's slightly different. It's mature, it's smart and it's fun at the same time.
I mean, isn't it, like, illegal to not have something metallic or sparkly at a Christmas party? No? Well it should be. This Chanel Classic Flap is not your average Flap bag, in fact, it's also not your average Chanel. The Ice Cube bag is a statement piece that will make heads turn wherever you go. Your mum had too much champagne and you can't find her? Don't even worry about it, just hold your bag up into a light and suddenly your £1.5k Chanel is repurposed into a torch. Did someone say two-for-one? Anyway, the Ice Cube takes the basic Classic Flap in a totally different direction. It's unique, innovative and effortlessly cool. So for all the women who are forced to trade in their sneakers for six-inches for a night, don't worry. You can still maintain your edgy style with this piece that can easily be dressed up or down. Whether it's trousers and a hoodie, a red Hervé Leger cocktail dress or even the ugly Christmas sweater your grandmother knitted for you 12 years ago, the Ice Cube is the perfect compliment.
Thank you God, Jesus and Alessandro Michele during this joyous, festive season for blessing us with the Gucci Wicker bag. Of course, given the fact that the brand's signature colours are green and red, this bag reps Christmas harder than any other piece we've mentioned. Similar to the Mini Lily, this tiny gem can fit little inside but, like, she's gorgeous so whatever? This bag is the closest thing to a Christmas ornament...just a very expensive one made of wicker that you can wear across your body. The perfect piece to spice up any chic, simple outfit, the Wicker bag is diverse enough to suit summer looks as well. I mean, it's made of wicker - duh! A mini statement that is sure to reel in compliment and after compliment, saying this bag is a want is an understatement - its a need.
By: Isabel de Carteret