For a Christmas brunch, wear something festive that does not feel over the top by day. Think of fine knitwear in burgundy or cream, smart trousers or polished jeans and comfortable shoes. Save shine, satin and evening details for the Christmas dinner. At a brunch, warmth, texture and comfort work better than a lot of shine. Below you will find how to approach it, with complete looks for women and men.
The difference between brunch and dinner
A Christmas dinner may be evening-oriented. A Christmas brunch starts in the daytime and therefore calls for a lighter look. That means less shine, more texture. Knitwear, rib and melange fabrics often work better by day than a lot of satin or sequins. A brunch is also often more informal, with children at the table, an open kitchen and perhaps a walk afterwards.
Colours for a Christmas brunch
If you want a subtle Christmas colour, choose burgundy instead of bright red. It is warmer, calmer and combines easily with cream, white, brown and blue. Olive green is an understated alternative to Christmas green. Combine such a colour with neutral shades, so that the whole look feels festive without becoming themed. Stick to one eye-catching colour and keep the rest neutral. If you wear a burgundy top, keep the trousers and shoes in brown, cream or black. If you prefer to go fully neutral, make sure you have different textures, such as rib next to a smooth fabric, so that the outfit does not look flat.
For women: three looks
Look 1: burgundy and brown. A fine-knit T-shirt with tweed look in burgundy is festive through its colour and two-tone texture, but does not feel overdressed by day. Wear it with ultra high-waist pleated trousers in brown. Burgundy and brown together is a warm, rich combination that suits a wintery table. If it is chilly, throw a long wool cardigan or a coat over it.
Look 2: winter white. A ribbed knitted cardigan in white, buttoned up as a top or open over a thin shirt, with the same brown trousers or with jeans. White and brown look light and fresh, ideal for a morning with lots of daylight.
Look 3: polished with denim. If the brunch is relaxed, for example at friends' home, dark jeans work perfectly well. Combine them with the burgundy T-shirt and the white cardigan over it, and finish with loafers or ankle boots. The knitted layers lift the jeans to a more festive level.
For men: two looks
Look 1: olive green and khaki. A lyocell polo with quarter zip in olive green is a subtle nod to Christmas green. You can wear the quarter zip open or closed, depending on the temperature. Combine it with slim-fit trousers in khaki for a warm, tonal look. Brown suede shoes finish it off.
Look 2: cream and navy. A knitted piqué polo with stripe detail in cream under a navy sweater or cardigan, with dark trousers or jeans. The cream collar peeking out above the sweater gives a fresh, polished line.
Overview: what do you wear where?
| Type of brunch | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| At family's home | Knitted T-shirt, pleated trousers | Quarter-zip polo, trousers |
| With friends, relaxed | Knitwear with dark jeans | Piqué polo under a sweater, jeans |
| In a hotel or restaurant | White cardigan as a top, trousers, ankle boots | Polo, trousers, leather shoes |
If you host the brunch yourself
If you are the host, you spend a large part of the morning in the kitchen. Choose fabrics that can take a knock and do not show stains straight away. Dark trousers or jeans are more practical than light ones. If you wear knitwear with sleeves, choose something you can push up easily, or a knitted T-shirt with short sleeves. Put an apron ready for the last moment before the guests arrive, and keep a cardigan at hand for when you finally sit down at the table yourself.
Accessories for the daytime
Jewellery can be smaller and more personal by day than in the evening. Think of a thin gold necklace, small earrings or a beautiful watch. A wool scarf in a warm colour is both practical and festive. For men, a good pair of suede shoes or a belt in the same shade as the shoes is enough to finish the look. A bag does not have to be small: a leather shoulder bag makes more sense by day than a clutch.
Practical: think of the walk
After a Christmas brunch there is often a walk. Choose shoes you can walk a good distance in, such as flat ankle boots, loafers with a sturdy sole or smart leather sneakers. Make sure you have a coat that suits your outfit, a scarf and gloves. If you wear light trousers, watch out for muddy paths.
Comfort at the table
A brunch often lasts longer than an ordinary lunch. High-waist pleated trousers sit more comfortably than tight trousers, because the pleats give room. Fine knitwear in viscose or lyocell is supple and does not feel heavy, even in a warm room. That way the outfit stays comfortable throughout the afternoon.
What to save for the evening
- Satin, sequins and lamé: in daylight it quickly looks like too much.
- High heels: you sit, you stand, you walk. Choose comfort.
- Christmas sweaters with prints: fun for a themed party, less so for a polished brunch.
For relaxed, polished looks, take a look at the Boulevard collection for women and the City Life collection for men. Also discover our knitwear for women and read more about the soft fibre lyocell.
Shop the look
Lenora: fine-knit T-shirt with tweed look, burgundy
Philippa: ultra high-waist pleated trousers, brown
Eleanor: ribbed knitted cardigan, white
Edmund: lyocell polo with quarter zip, melange olive green
Vincent: slim-fit trousers, khaki
Alistair: knitted piqué polo, cream
Frequently asked questions
Are jeans smart enough for a Christmas brunch?
At a relaxed brunch at home or at friends' they are, as long as they are dark, polished jeans and you combine them with beautiful knitwear and smart shoes.
Which colours do you wear to a Christmas brunch?
Burgundy, cream, white, brown and olive green are festive without being themed. They look lovely in daylight and combine well with each other.
What is the difference between a brunch outfit and a dinner outfit?
By day you choose texture instead of shine: knitwear, rib and melange fabrics. Satin, sequins and high heels suit an evening dinner better.
