How to Dress Like an Adult: What the Fashionista in Your Life Really Wants

What do you give the fashion-conscious woman for Christmas? Nothing fashion related, if you want to save yourself a lot of grief because (you don’t have to tell this) we are picky when it comes to clothes and accessories and unless we have given specific instructions (the product code, the size and the color) , he goes straight back on January 2.

Everyone knows this, but husbands in particular are irresistibly drawn to buying us tops and bags, and someday a pair of lace-up espadrilles.

So there are two options: one: start talking loudly about your urgent need for a Thermomix all-in-one multicooker or lemon tree for the garden; or two, leave this Christmas wish list in an obvious place.

I’m not sure what you have your heart set on, but these five items have broad appeal and are virtually disaster-proof. Your daughter will love them if they don’t happen to hit the spot.

Olivia Palermo attended the Elie Saab fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, in 2016

Tekla dressing gown

I have never been interested in dressing gowns and have always opted for the most basic option until I discovered the Tekla label. These organic cotton hooded bathrobes are to the regular terry cloth robe what a dryrobe is to a worn-out old swim towel.

They are luxurious, cool, unisex and suitable for any age. You look at it and you don’t know if you like the cream and chocolate stripe or the sky blue and navy blue stripe more; and when you try one (which I have), you want to keep it on forever and open the door in it, often.

They’re made from thick, luscious terry cloth, cut like a real boxer jacket and, better yet, they’re on sale for 30 percent off (£104.30, net-a-porter.com). This is definitely a no-brainer purchase for the woman who doesn’t know she needs a great robe.

A fur waistcoat

Zara has a shiny black cropped faux fur vest (£59.99, zara.com) that I’ve been eyeing for weeks (but won’t buy it so someone else can). A vest like this adds a touch of glamor when worn over something simple, like a silk shirt with velvet trousers, and you don’t have to take it off indoors (the downside of fur coats).

I would also wear it over a dress with boots, or over a sweater on those evenings when you go home where they don’t believe in central heating.

It looks elegant with evening wear, goes with the cocktail in black trousers or a long skirt, and you can wear it during the day with jeans and immediately look like someone whose other home is a chalet in Gstaad.

It doesn’t have to be this specific vest, and if it’s sold out by the time you read this, there are plenty of options. Not every woman loves a tank top, but who doesn’t love a vest?

Boston Birkenstocks

We switched from the two-strap Arizona Birkenstock sandal with the molded footbed to the Boston clog, also known as a backless loafer.

These are proving to be even more popular than their strappy cousins, partly because models like Kendall Jenner and adult celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker are constantly photographed in theirs and because you can wear them in winter as well as summer.

The most coveted color is taupe suede (£150, birkenstock.com) and I wouldn’t say no to latte (£130, office.co.uk), but it’s important to stick to light neutrals – don’t go under any circumstances for black or navy.

Kristen Stewart was spotted in Los Angeles on May 23, 2018

Classic Ray-Ban aviator glasses

They were good enough for Gwyneth Paltrow during her ski trial and of all the classic sunglasses styles, this is the one that has retained its position in the top five since the 1970s. As well as looking cool, the advantage of Classic Aviators (£147, ray-ban.com) is that they go with everything from wedding best to denim, and are suitable for all seasons, the city ​​and the beach, what you can’t say. of some large round turtle numbers.

A necklace with a blob

The most coveted piece of jewelry of the moment, and the first item in her new collection to sell out, is Phoebe Philo’s 3D necklace with the word MUM on it over and over again, but most women over 50 prefer the other big one jewelry of the moment. — a necklace with a blob, whether it’s a glass pendant (another Philo piece), a stone or a baroque pearl.

If you’re feeling red, go to Pippa Small (pippasmall.com). For something around £100, try Daisy London (daisyjewellery.com) or Missoma (missoma.com), and blob necklaces of each variety are available from Zara and & Other Stories (stories.com). Then there are beautiful pearls, and I love Zara’s faux pearl and rhinestone necklace (£17.99, zara.com). Merry Christmas!