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Monday 18 December 2017

5 Over 50 Challenge: Christmas Jumpers


Image showing a middle aged woman indoors wearing a cream Christmas jumper embellished with reindeer antlers and a red tartan skirt


Christmas jumpers tend to be associated with the brazen, colourful Father Christmas embellished affairs with flashing lights, but they come in four different varieties. Laurie's challenge for the 5 0ver 50 for December is styling a Christmas jumper and it's interesting to see that three of the boxes are ticked. Fortunately no-one chose to wear the overtly ugly version of a Christmas jumper!

So what are the four flavours of a Christmas jumper? Well, if you think of it as "a jumper for Christmas" it makes sense to consider that an apres-ski winter jumper, similar to Hilda's, is an appropriate candidate. 

Then there is a true Christmas jumper, albeit a little more subtle, like mine and Anna's.  We both have "Christmas trimmings" but the jumper is suitably muted enough to be safely worn in a "normal" outfit. There's also a trend for "ugly" Christmas jumpers but we won't cover those. 

Finally there is a jumper which is embellished with glitter or gold threads, like Jacqui's, and Laurie has appropriated this category too by pairing a plain jumper with a spectacular necklace.


Image showing a 50 plus woman posing by a Christmas tree wearing a Christmas jumper and red tartan skirt

My jumper is from Boden at John Lewis and I paired it with a red tartan skirt from last winter, pearls and over-the-knee boots. This lends a bit of glamour and creates a comfortable, festive outfit ideal for Christmas Day.

Image showing an over 50s fashion blogger by a Christmas tree in a Christmas jumper and red tartan skirt


My Christmas tree takes about two minutes to put up: it pops out of a box. I'm all for trying to make Christmas less like hard work, and for me, unless you have children at home, putting up and decorating a full blown tree is hard work!

This is my last 5 0ver 50 Challenge. I started the challenge a year ago, to try to showcase that women over the age of 50 are still experimenters and fashion-forward. We aren't all ready to embrace elasticated waists and fllat lace-up shoes. I think the series has proved this in spades!  The other ladies will continue the challenges and I look forward to seeing who will join them.

I'm going to be dialling down some of my blogger activities in 2018. I'll explain why in a separate post. I'll still be blogging, but not so frequently.

Now let's see how the other challenge members fared with their Christmas jumpers.


Image showing Quirky over 50s fashion blogger Anna Parkes from Annas Island Style posing outside a festive shop wearing a Christmas jumper with floral midi skirt and sparkly boots

It takes a stylist with the mastery of Anna from Anna's Island Fashion to take a traditional Christmas jumper and create a fashionable, funky outfit with a gorgeous midi length print skirt (and winter florals are very original),  patterned tights and glittery ankle boots. Full marks to Anna for pulling off such a fabulous look.

Image showing over 50s fashion blogger Laurie Bronze from Vanity and Me in a stunning gold Christmas tree collar worn over a deep red jumper in the 5 Over 50 Christmas jumper challenge

Laurie from Vanity and Me epitomises glamour in this gorgeous deep red jumper with sensational Christmas tree gold collar and on-trend pleated midi skirt. You could easily wear this outfit to any top drawer festive event. Laurie proves that red is a colour that suits everyone - the deeper claret colour really suits her.


Over 50s Irish fashion blogger Hilda Smith in grey and white  Swiss skiing inspired jumper


Hilda from Over The Hilda  is wearing a Swiss skiing holiday inspired jumper (perfectly matched by her grandson) which is a stylish and cosy solution for those who don't like Christmas jumpers.

Image showing over 50s blogger Jacqui Berry in gold sequinned jumper for Christmas

Jacqui from Mummabstylish borrowed a gold sequinned jumper from one of her daughters and paired it with a gold pleated skirt to create a glamorous look.

All that remains is to wish all of you a peaceful and joyous Christmas and Happy New Year.

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20 comments

  1. Fabulous post, don't we all look very festive. Sad this is our last challenge together, but I'll be visiting to see what you're up to. x Happy Christmas Gail. x Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. I'm sure the challenge will go from strength to strength with some new blood, and I look forward to seeing what you all do next! Have a fantastic Christmas Jacqui x

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  2. I actually love your sweater, Gail - and all the other women have come through beautifully too. Have a wonderful holiday and thanks for linking up, xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  3. Oh I'm so sorry to read that you stopped with these series. I hope it is a positive reason why you're going to blog less. I actually don't have a Christmas sweater anymore. I didn't buy a new one, didn't think of it. All of your sweaters are very stylish! Great job!

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  4. Hi Gail,
    loving your sweater very glam, you are glowing,
    I am very sad to hear you are slowing the blog down, but so pleased you are not giving up, as it is obviously something you enjoy immensely.
    Bestest wishes for the season
    Ashley
    x

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    1. Deffo Ashley - I am beginning to wonder if I will really be dialling anything down because I do enjoy blogging so much! Have a great Christmas! x

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  5. What a fabulous sweater, Gail!!! And I love the pearls!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Just goes to show Jodie, you can wear pearls with anything! Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  6. Hi Gail! Tbh, can't say I really like Christmas jumpers but you do all look good, and I especially like the red jumper with the amazing gold collar, and that says something because it isn't a Christmas jumper!!! Your boots are great, btw! Will be very sorry when you do less posting but hope the reason is the amazing job that has taken you to the States and back. Eager to know more x

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Penny - I love Hilda's Fair Isle jumper (will get a lot more wears than my reindeer jumper) and Laurie's red jumper with the jewellery decorations. Amazing that there are so many different ways to wear a sweater at Christmas!

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  7. Thanks so much for leading the way and setting up this group challenge for us Gail. We will miss your organisational skills as well as your tips and lovely Pinterest board. We nearly styled up our jumpers in the exact same way which would have been quite funny!

    Anna x

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    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to seeing the challenges next year (and sad that I will miss out on faux fur!) and I'm sure you'll all take it from strength to strength!

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  8. I wish I ad seen a jumper like this Gail! Maybe the challenge wouldn't have been so hard. Boden is not normally a store I visit. I will be visiting and keeping up to date with you Gail. I will miss not seeing your weekly post. Have a fantastic Christmas and please stay in touch xx

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    1. It's so fascinating to see how the jumper challenge turned out, because although we all have a festive twist, each interpretation is so different and reflective of our own style! And fear not, I will definitely stay in touch!

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  9. Gail I am so glad we have become friends and that you asked me to join when Ashley left. We will miss you from this challenge but we will stay in touch. I love how you styled your jumper with festive plaid! Talk soon. Happy Christmas. xxx

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    1. I love a bit of plaid, and I had almost forgotten that little skirt! It was great meeting you Hilda and I know we will all keep in touch. I will probably end up blogging just as frequently because I won't be able to tear myself away!

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  10. Gail, I love this outfit on you! Your sweater is adorable and the plaid skirt and tall boots are just darling together! I wish you a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the new year.

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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  11. Lovely post Gail. I love everyone's Christmas jumpers. I have mine on too.

    Thanks for sharing at The Christmas blog hop and all the blog hops this year :) Pinned and off to tweet x

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  12. Fab look Gail and I so understand about dialling down. I know you'll be missed by the other 4. Its amazing how real friendships are formed through it. I'm a fan of Boden too. Have a great Xmas xx

    http://www.muttonstyle.com

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  13. What a great collection of tasteful Christmas sweaters. Love your whole outfit from antlers to boots! That skirt is adorable. Merry Christmas!

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