Happy New Year (I’ll be wearing my old party clothes)
Photo: Claire Pepper. Hair & makeup: Louise Heywood
New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to shop your wardrobe and shine a light on the partywear section. Even though I’ll be spending this evening in the living room (with an exclusive performance by Patti Smith), I’m determined to get dressed up in my old party clothes. For environmental reasons I’ve stopped buying sequins, but this skirt is approximately 15 years old (bought in the sale at M&S for £35, thank you very much). The photograph is from my Daily Telegraph column, and as I’m not going out-out, the faux fur jacket and silk blouse will be swapped for a sweatshirt and some blingy jewellery. Oh and this is the exact same outfit I wore to celebrate my 50th birthday. Seven years ago, today.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year, looking forward to better times ahead, and as my dad always used to say, ‘Keep your chin up.’
Discussion (42 Comments)
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Debs Chowney says:
And may the 21st Year of the 21st Century be a turning point (for the better) for All. Happy New Year.
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Jean says:
Happy New Year, Alyson!
Thank you for all your inspiring posts and for sharing with us the joy of dressing up!
Jean, NYC
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KD says:
Happy New year, may 2021 be better and brighter! Thank you for all the posts that we are enjoying.
KD
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Nicola says:
A Happy New Year to you Alyson and to all the readers who come here – from the comments I know you are an amazing community and I so love being a part of it. You’ve all brightened up 2020 and I know whatever 2021 brings we will be doing it with style!
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Vivien Hallberg says:
A Happy New Year to you and all your readers, Alyson and I so support your dressing up. After being relatively sloppily dressed during lockdown one, I made a concerted effort not to be staring from the November lockdown and feel better for it. And as we all discover, shopping your wardrobe and finding new combinations is as satisfying as retail therapy and without the guilt!
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Gill Bingham says:
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday! I dressed up to sit in the living room with my husband (and there was some dancing too!).
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Julie O says:
Happy birthday and Happy New Year Alyson. Thank you for showing that we continue to assert ourselves as we get older rather than be obliged to disappear into the shadows.
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Susan Maxwell says:
A new year’s day birthday..happiest of days!
Best wishes for 2021 from Australia. -
Angela L Stewart says:
From one loyal Capricorn to another, Happy Birthday, Alyson, and Happy New Year. We all made it through 2020; now we know we can do anything!
Kind regards,
Angela
Brisbane, Australia -
Judith says:
Happy New Year, Alyson! I only recently discovered your posts, but have felt inspired by what you have written and even made my own Liberty boho blouse with those wonderful sleeves. So if you ever want to see what a 63 petite woman looks like in a big sleeved blouse… you know where to come!
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Helen says:
A Happy New Year to you.
Thank you for all of your excellent posts of 2020.
Here’s to a better year X -
Alison says:
Thank you for all your lovely and inspiring posts. Happy and Healthy New Year full of Hope and Kindness.
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Happy birthday and Happy New Year Alyson from the other side of the world. Stay safe,
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Nadia says:
Happy Birthday, Allison! Wishing you and your family a healthy and safe New Year!
Thank you for your inspiring and enjoyable posts. -
Ann Yates says:
Happy birthday and new year! It’s always fun to find someone who shares your birthday! Turning 70 (!) seemed strange to me, especially in 2020 which was a very strange year indeed. Thanks for your enjoyable posts and sensible comments.
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Gunilla Tuite says:
Happy New Year and best wishes for a good year ahead for us all. I do so enjoy your comments and the clothes you show us, although some are eye wateringly expensive, but nice to dream…looking forward to reading your post as always.
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SLF says:
Happy New Year! Happy birthday from one who is celebrating her 72nd birthday today!
SLF
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Katy King says:
Happy Birthday!
Alyson, I ordered your book to read on Christmas day and was inspired to wear my Prada heels to jazz up my jeans that day. Last night I put on a pair of red suede strapped sandals while I drank my Champagne. I am ready for a year of style and fun. Thanks for your wonderful blog.
Katy
Portland, Oregon -
All the best for the year 2021, not too joyful right now but hoping for the best!
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Rosemary says:
Happy Birthday, Alyson. And all the best for this new, fresh year. Looking forward to 2021 in your company.
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JJ says:
Love it! Environmentally friendly and safe. Positive steps for the new year 2021. Enjoy!
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A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you Alyson. So look forward to your posts please keep them coming. The fashion ones have inspired me to choose something different from my wardrobe and dress up every day. No need to buy anything new.
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Mary Sharkey says:
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday. Thankyou for the posts enjoy reading them always gives me something to think about. I live in Malawi a hot climate but love looking at your winter attire and style. Thankyou for the inspiration. Mary
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Fenella says:
I discovered you during 2020 and have felt validated in my wardrobe choices – I am 70 and feel so in tune with how you use
and wear clothes and accessories. Just love the looks you show. Thank you for brightening lockdown and life!! -
juliet says:
you look fantastic alyson!i recall this gorgeous sequinned skirt and those shoes!!!you are rockin’ it1my wish for you is happy days every day xxx
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lizzie g says:
happy birthday alyson, i bought this year’s M+S black sequin skirt in the sale. i figure since i rarely wash skirts, and get 20+ years out of all my clothes, especially timeless straight skirts, its not the worst environmental faux pas. and like all my party clothes, i’ll loan it out to sisters, nieces and friends too.
you look great in the photo, most of all because you look happy and relaxed, the best way to enjoy a party, or approach a new year or a birthday.
best wishes. -
Thank you all for the lovely comments. You are very kind – and I am very lucky to have such loyal followers.
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Looking good, Aylson!
A Happy New Year to you and yours, and thank you for all your posts, I so enjoy them.
Stay safe