Christmas Outfit Ideas for the Whole Day, From Pajamas to Dinner

A Christmas Outfit for Every Part of December 25

One christmas outfit rarely lasts from the first present to the last round of cards. Plan the day in stops instead: what you open gifts in, what you eat in, what you walk in. Tap a look to see it on you.

1. 8 a.m.Opening presents

   Illustration

   Red and cream tartan flannel pajama set · Chunky cream cardigan · Grey knit socks

   You will be in a hundred photos before breakfast. A set with a proper collar is the christmas outfit that looks put together on camera; the cardigan covers the dash to the front door.

   Try it on me

2. 2 p.m.Christmas dinner

   Illustration

   Emerald ribbed knit midi dress · Small gold hoops · Soft leather loafers

   The christmas outfit for the table: festive in color, easy after three courses, and still fine in a warm room at five o’clock.

   Try it on me

3. 4 p.m.The walk

   Illustration

   Camel wool overcoat · Navy Fair Isle sweater · Dark jeans and lace-up boots

   Light goes early. A long coat over the knit you ate in, plus boots for wet grass, turns dinner into a walking christmas outfit without going upstairs.

   Try it on me

Ugly Christmas Sweater Rules That Keep It Fun

The sweater is the joke, so everything else stays quiet. That is the whole trick to an ugly sweater christmas outfit that looks chosen rather than forgotten.

Illustration · 9 p.m.

1. 01

   One loud piece

   Plain dark jeans or trousers, plain shoes. Two prints fight.

2. 02

   A collar at the neck

   A white shirt under the knit makes the whole christmas outfit look deliberate.

3. 03

   One joke, not five

   A single reindeer beats bells, lights and a slogan together.

4. 04

   Light knit indoors

   A heavy sweater by a fire gets taken off in an hour.

Try the sweater look

Matching Family Christmas Pajamas Without the Uniform Look

Matching sets make the best christmas outfit photo of the morning, but four identical onesies are not the only way. Three ways to match, from most to least:

1. 1Fully matched

   Same print and color for everyone. The classic card photo, and easiest with young kids.

2. 2One print, two colors

   Grown-ups in red, kids in green. Teenagers object less, and the photo still reads as one family.

3. 3One shared color

   Everyone in their own pajamas with red somewhere. The cheapest christmas outfit of the day, and nobody feels like a team.

Order matching family christmas pajamas by early November: popular prints sell out in December. Buy flannel one size up, as it shrinks in the first wash.

A Summer Christmas Outfit for a Hot December 25

In Sydney, Auckland, Cape Town or Rio the meal is outdoors and it can be 30 °C. A summer christmas outfit swaps velvet for linen and keeps the festive part in color.

• Linen or cottonBreathes at a barbecue; polyester does not.
• Red, white or greenOne festive color is enough for a christmas outfit in the sun.
• Flat sandals and a hatHeels sink into lawn, and the hat saves the photos.

Try the summer look

Illustration · lunch in the sun

Put a Christmas Outfit on Your Wishlist, Then Let the Family Vote

The best present is one you already know suits you. Try pieces from any shop on your photo, then send the family one link so they can pick.

Three wishlist picks, one photo

1. 1Screenshot three piecesThe sweater, dress or coat you want for your christmas outfit, from any online shop.
2. 2See them on youVirtual try on puts up to three side by side on your photo, 10 credits each.
3. 3Send a vote linkSigned in, share one link. Family tap their favorite with no account, and the winner goes on the list.

Try wishlist pieces on me

Unwrapped something on the 25th that might not suit you? Try it on your photo before you queue at the returns desk.

Still Deciding? Quick Christmas Outfit Answers

Invited somewhere before the 25th? Our christmas party outfit guide sorts office, house party and cocktail looks by dress code.

Already thinking about December 31? Our new years eve outfit guide starts from where you will be at midnight.

Wearing your christmas outfit for the family photo too? Our family photo outfits guide has a three-color plan you can switch by season.

Spending the holidays on the slopes? Pack your christmas outfit for the evening and use our ski outfit guide for the layers by day.