How to dress for Christmas day without sacrificing comfort or style

I have tried just about every sartorial approach to Christmas. There were the Gaga years, when my six-year-old sister and I were togged up in layers of sticky-out taffeta. In terms of casualness we’re talking Lady G at the Met Ball, minus the boobs. There was an anti-establishment phase (a sneery expression, cardboard-stiff jeans and a greying CND T-shirt), which was stupendously joy-sapping, and futile, because someone would invariably take a Polaroid of us all ripping the paper off a mountain of prezzies the size of The Shard, thereby ruining the anti-capitalism stance. 

Funnel neck dress, ￡290, Cefinn; Velvet jumpsuit, ￡350, LK Bennett;  Longline cardigan, ￡25, Marks & Spencer

There were a couple of Christmases when I tried to raise the tone with sequins (do NOT attempt turkey-basting in sequins, the heat makes the glue melt); several when I tried to do Fashion – wasted on most men in their 70s; and a few Christmases with murky codes – dress-up-but-not-too-up. 

Actually, the murky codes taught me a lot about getting it right: chiefly that everything starts with the shoes. Your outfit, whatever it is, should work with flats or even bare feet. After lunch, not even Tamara Mellon feels right in heels. You want something you can stylishly kick off. All those quirky variations on a furry Birkenstock or velvet mules? Worth every penny. 

Socks, ￡7, COS; Velvet shoe, ￡239, Penelope Chilvers

Comfort is key, but so is glamour. Think The Row (you can always buy affordable versions from M&S). Hunt out soft velvets for your bottom half, silky tunics and blouses, and some cashmere to drape around you at strategic moments. A lightish-weight dress that has sleeves with a slight sheen – not too tight – will get you a long way in most situations. Cefinn has excellent options, as does Me+Em.

Jumpsuits are huge sellers this season – another modern classic that hits that relaxed elegance. Finally, if you’re cooking, the chicest, most enveloping aprons can be found at oncemilano.com. Lovely colours – and  no boobs on them either.