For years, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Christmas – I guess I found it too bourgeois or something. I was never a hater either, though, and the older I get, the more I seem to appreciate this holiday of gingerbread, tinsel and Die Hard. Perhaps I’m just becoming more bourgeois myself, who knows. Or perhaps living abroad most of the time, spending time with one’s family just feels more special, Christmas or not.

Even with my new-found enthusiasm, I don’t think Christmas is the easiest occasion to dress for, at least for me. New Year’s Eve is simple, as you can just do full-on glamour – never a problem for me – and it’ll work perfectly. Christmas, I feel, is festive, but not necessarily glamorous*. It’s also not romantic or sexy, categories in which I can deliver, if needed.

This year, however, I had a perfect dress that met all my Christmas requirements. Suitably festive (gold!), while not being too over-the-top; possessing enough mainstream appeal, but not too boring. As the length is modest and there are sleeves (and no cleavage on display), it’s also entirely family-friendly, in case one’s family happens to include more conservative elements and one doesn’t want to rock the boat.

There is a touch of dark romance about this Vampire’s Wife dress, which to my mind works well in winter. In these pictures – taken obviously earlier than December – I’m wearing it with combat boots and that’s in fact how I wore it for Christmas, too (although as Estonians, we of course always take the boots off when inside). I love the contrast and the slightly rebellious edge the footwear lends to the outfit. If desired, the look can be made more elegant with delicate black or gold sandals.

The only complaint I have about this dress (apart from the price, but nobody forced me to pay it) is that despite the silk lining, the metallic threads in the fabric are scratchy. While not massively uncomfortable, it makes the wearing experience less than ideal. Still, I love the cut, the pattern and the mood of the dress enough to look past that issue, especially as this is an occasion dress and I usually don’t wear it for a full day.**

I hope you had a lovely Christmas – in case you do Christmas – and found something lovely to wear! Feel free to share in the comments.

*This is just my interpretation, obviously. If your Christmases are properly glamorous, I salute you.

**Me being me, I have of course worn this dress to the office several times.

Images Laura Nestor, MUAH Erle Taklai. Dress by The Vampire’s Wife, boots by Zara.