With small children during the holidays, clothes work best when they are both polished and practical. Think of dark trousers with stretch, a washable knit or blouse and colours on which small stains are less noticeable. Dark or melange colours are often more practical than white and cream. Taking an extra top layer can also be handy. This way the outfit stays suitable for dinner and family photos, even when you are busy with the children. Below you can read how to approach it.
The reality of holidays with small children
Parents of young children know it: you put on your most beautiful blouse, and within ten minutes there is chocolate on your shoulder and apple sauce on your sleeve. You sit on the floor to unwrap presents, lift children up and down, and run after a toddler through your in-laws' house. Still, you want to look festive, especially in the photos. The solution lies mainly in practical choices of material and colour.
1. Choose enough room to move
You move much more than on an ordinary evening. Choosing trousers with elastane gives you the freedom to bend, kneel and sit on the floor without your trousers pulling or slipping down. For women, the Arabelli in black, a high-waist pleated trouser with 5% elastane, is an excellent choice: polished enough for a Christmas dinner, comfortable enough for an afternoon with children. For men, a slim-fit trouser with 6.8% elastane, such as the Vincent in black, offers the same freedom of movement.
2. Think about care
Leave clothes that can only be dry-cleaned in the wardrobe these days. Choose pieces you can wash on an ordinary programme without worry. A tailored blouse with some stretch, such as the Delphine in shadow blue, made of a blend with bamboo, microfibre, polyester and elastane, looks polished and is practical to care for. Always check the label and our care instructions before you wash anything.
3. Choose practical colours
White, cream and light grey are beautiful, but show every little mark. Dark colours such as black, navy and shadow blue, and melange fabrics hide small accidents much better. A dark knitted polo such as the Josephine in black, with a V-neck, is festive enough for a dinner and forgives a lot. For men, a navy polo, such as the Montgomery in navy, made of modal with some elastane, works just as well.
4. Be careful with delicate fabrics
Satin look, open knit and light cashmere can be more sensitive to stains and snags. On a busy day with children, sturdier, smooth fabrics are often more practical.
5. Take an extra layer with you if you like
An extra top layer in your bag can be handy. A cardigan, a second blouse or a polo takes up little space and saves the day if things go wrong. Choose a piece that goes with your trousers, so your outfit still works after a quick change.
Outfits for three situations
| Situation | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas dinner with family | Black trousers with stretch, shadow blue blouse | Black stretch trousers, navy polo |
| Boxing Day, visiting | Black trousers, black V-neck polo, jewellery | Dark trousers, knitted polo, cardigan |
| Christmas brunch at home | Stretch trousers, knit in a dark colour | Dark chinos, soft polo |
Festive and practical
Practical clothes can still look festive. Festivity often lies in details that run no risk: a pair of beautiful earrings, a gold necklace that you wear under your collar, a velvet hairband, a pocket square or a watch. Colour helps too: a deep shade such as bordeaux or shadow blue feels more festive than plain black, and stays practical. This way the outfit stays festive without being unnecessarily fragile.
Stains: first aid
- Chocolate: let it dry first, gently scrape it away and then rinse with cold water from the back.
- Fruit and juice: cold water straight away and a little mild detergent; never warm water, which sets the stain.
- Grease or butter: blot with kitchen paper and sprinkle on some talcum powder or cornflour to absorb the grease.
Treat the stain as soon as possible and then wash the garment according to the label.
An outfit that goes with you from morning to evening
With children, a holiday often starts early and ends late. So choose clothes that stay comfortable all day: no tight waist that starts to pinch after dinner, no fabric that itches, and layers you can take off when it gets warm indoors. Trousers with an elasticated part or stretch in the waist, a knit that you wear over a blouse and take off when the heating is high. Shoes in which you still walk happily at ten in the evening. This way the clothes stay pleasant to wear all day.
Shoes and bags
Choose shoes in which you can move quickly and in which you can also sit on the floor: loafers or flat ankle boots instead of high heels. A large, sturdy bag that holds, besides your own things, wipes, an extra bodysuit and your spare layer is more practical than a small clutch.
For yourself too
With small children your own wardrobe quickly gets forgotten. Even on a busy holiday, a polished outfit can feel good. A few pieces that are both practical and beautiful make that difference. Take a look at our trousers for women, the blouses and the polos for men for pieces that can take a knock.
Shop the look
Arabelli: high-waist pleated trousers, black
Vincent: slim-fit trousers with mid-rise, black
Delphine: tailored blouse with princess seams, shadow blue
Josephine: knitted polo with V-neck, black
Montgomery: modal polo, navy
Frequently asked questions
Which colours are handy with small children?
Dark colours such as black, navy and shadow blue, and melange fabrics. Small stains are far less noticeable on these than on white or cream.
Which fabrics are better avoided with young children?
Satin look, open knit and light cashmere are vulnerable to stains and snags. Keep those for an evening without children.
How do you get chocolate out of clothes?
Let it dry, gently scrape it away and rinse with cold water from the back. Then wash according to the label.
