No other month allows you to dabble in the full spectrum of dress codes like December does. You go from Christmas party glad rags in the build-up to the 25th to head-to-toe slouchwear for the three days of turkey leftovers that come after. Also in the mix are last-minute Christmas shopping, long boozy lunches and, depending on just how much booze you consume, carol singing. That’s a tall order by anyone’s wardrobe. The key to unlocking it all is having a few versatile winter staples that do multiple jobs throughout Mariah Carey month. These are our go-to outfit ideas for December.

Denim And Shearling, Together

If there’s one reason not to hate three months of darkness and no feeling in your extremities, shearling is it. It’s a curious mix of practical and ridiculous, smooth on one side and shaggy on the other, basically a big ol’ bundle of luxurious contradictions. And, if you’re to get your money’s worth out of a real shearling, December is the time to buy. To do the shearling jacket justice, make like the long line of menswear icons (Robert Redford, Alain Delon, Steve McQueen) who all knew very well that shearling’s natural bedfellow is denim. Whether you pair a tan shearling jacket with a thick blue denim shirt or contrast a black shearling jacket with some seriously sturdy selvedge denim, this pairing is made in menswear heaven. One thing you’ll need to be wary of is how casual you err. A roll neck will do wonders for smartening up your look as will sneakers that are pristine and box fresh. If it feels sloppy, or casual it’s not your best bet to team with this iconic duo. – Luke Sampson, head of creative

A Not-Terrible Festive Jumper

Ah, Christmas time, mistletoe and wine, and a naff Christmas jumper thrust upon you by your mum who just won’t take no for an answer. So how do you style this situation out then? Well, you’ve got to turn up non-naff Christmas jumper in tow (relatives can’t thrust another one upon you, surely?). Fair Isle is our Christmas jumper pattern of choice, festive but without the novelty so you can still wear it right through to February. It’s a busy pattern mind, so pick out a colour from the pattern and match it up with the shade of your trousers. We’d go with smart chinos over jeans, so you won’t get granny nagging you some more, worn with some Oxford boots so you can take the customary post-Christmas-lunch walk in style. – Richard Jones, staff writer