Everything the Luxury London team has been loving this month
What to do, wear and watch during the Christmas holidays
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
The holidays are here – and we’re willing to bet you’re in one of two camps right now: seriously smug about having all of your Christmas shopping sorted, or in full-blown panic mode after leaving everything to the last minute. Whatever camp you’re in, and whether you’re in the mood for some retail therapy or need last-minute gifting inspiration, discover our editor-approved picks for December. Ranging from must-have style staples (we’re looking at you Omnes and Loveness Lee), to festive afternoon teas and the book you’ll finally have time to read over the break, here’s how Luxury London’s editors will be spending the holidays.
Cordelia Aspinall, Branded Content and Shopping Writer
The festive afternoon tea: The Milestone Hotel
There’s nothing quite like afternoon tea, and one place that gets it right every time is The Milestone Hotel in Kensington. Transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland, the festive edition is hosted in the cosy and atmospheric Park Lounge. Featuring the usual line up of sandwiches followed by warm scones and indulgent cakes, macarons and pastries, but all given a festive twist, it was delicious, decadent and delightful – all washed down with gallons of tea and champagne, of course. Running until 4 January 2026, I suggest you book yours for a twixmas pick-me-up.
From £90 per person, visit milestonehotel.com
The festive fashion: Manava Christmas jumper and Eberjey pyjamas
For me, December has been about cocktails followed by champagne, carolling followed by ice skating, and a whole lot of partying. Now I’m not complaining, but all I want to do now is cosy up in comfort and relax – but without compromising on style, of course. That means days spent wrapped up in Manava’s champagne Christmas jumper (so slouchy and comfy, so chic and fun), and nights lounging on the sofa in Eberjey’s Inez striped pyjamas. Fabulously elegant.
Annie Lewis, Deputy Digital Editor
The wine: Hanikon Côtes de Provence Rosé, 2024
For some, rosé may be synonymous with summer, but Boxing Day in my household is all about seafood accompanied by a bottle of the pink stuff. My top choice this year is Hanikon’s Côtes de Provence, which has just launched in Harrods and has been designed to cut through the decadence of Christmas with a blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah and cabernet-sauvignon, promising notes of fresh red berries, citrus zest and white florals. Pair with oysters, dressed crab, grilled lobster or serve for all-round festive sipping, I will be eschewing classic red wine for this premium rosé this year. Chin-chin.
The wardrobe staples: Jaki Camilla Satin Skirt and Ariat Countryside Jean
If, like me, your holidays are marked by journeys here and there to see family and friends – and therefore require you to pack light – you too will know that the key to maintaining style while on a luggage allowance is wardrobe staples. Allow me to introduce my two new favourite pieces which can be dressed up or down, with knits or sparkly tops, and with heels or trainers. First up, Jaki’s Camilla satin skirt is the answer to versatile formal dressing. Crafted in Italy with a flattering fluid drape from mid-weight satin, the espresso brown has a soft shimmer that looks as good in candlelight as it does on the dance floor.
Next, I’m wearing Ariat’s Countryside wide-leg jean on repeat. Channelling the brand’s Texan heritage while offering a style that feels both modern and timeless, the high-waisted silhouette and easy wide leg works seamlessly with a blouse and heels or with a comfy tee and Chelsea boots. The choice is yours…
The coat: Omnes Charleston Checked Trench
There are few styles that endure year after year, but one thing you can count on to never go out of fashion are trench coats. I’ve had so many compliments on this Charleston checked Trench from Omnes; the merlot and cream hues are festive but will also be fun and playful when spring rolls around. The tailored, straight silhouette offers an oversized fit (size down if you don’t like it too big) and I pair it with dark denim jeans and a white rollneck to allow the coat to do the talking.
Zoe Gunn, Digital Editorial Director
The indie brand: Mercules
The brainchild of a former Dior designer and an investment banker, Mercules is the under-the-radar bag brand to know about as we head into 2026. Small, slow but perfectly formed, you’ll find no flashy logos or trend-led designs here, just minimalist classics handmade in Spain that you’ll turn to time and time again. I’ve just got my hands on its Harvest camera bag and, without fail, have been asked where it’s from every time I’ve worn it. And, truly, is there any better compliment?
The diary: Smythson Soho Weekly Diary
Yes, the iPhone calendar has its place but, for me at least, a paper diary is still integral to keeping my schedule in order – and few do them better than Smythson. I’ve been a devotee of its Soho Panama leather design for years (A5 week-to-view, since you’re asking) and this year the British brand has given it a playful leopard print makeover. Just fabulous.
The last-minute gift: Loveness Lee Dio Aurum earrings
At the time of publishing there are exactly two days to go until Christmas and, if in the midst of your wrapping, you’ve suddenly realised you’ve forgotten your aunt/sister-in-law/boyfriend’s mum, allow me to let you in on a little secret: Amazon isn’t the only answer. London-based brand Loveness Lee promises free next day delivery (yes, even on Christmas Eve) or you could just pop into its gorgeous boutique beneath the Oxo Tower. Either way, you’ll find beautiful, handmade jewellery that looks far more expensive than it actually is. Win win.
Richard Brown, Editorial Director
The trousers: Ralph Lauren Knit Flannel Suit Trouser
Have you tried to buy a nice normal pair of jeans recently? By which I mean a pair that aren’t skateboard-style, Gen Z-baggy, or tragically Topman-dad skinny? You know, a standard pair of slim-fit, straight-leg denim jeans? Impossible. They’ve all gone stretchy. They’re cut with so much elastane that even ‘regular’ fit pairs feel like you’re wearing your wife’s tights. They stick to your thighs like peanut butter to a spoon, providing the appearance of a paunchy member of a Swan Lake ensemble. They say it’s a comfort thing, this pseudo-denim. But I can’t help thinking it’s a cost thing. Elastane equals synthetic equals manmade equals cheap as chips. Denim equals cotton equals litres and litres of water equals farming, spinning, weaving, dyeing… A pair of 100 per cent cotton denim jeans – that is to say, not stretchy and tights-like – will now set you back upwards of £150. So, I’ve turned to flannel. Which might be a tad overdressed for the school run, sure, but comes into its own during soft play on Saturdays.
The TV show: 2000 Meters to Andriivka, Apple TV
BBC documentaries aren’t what they used to be, are they? Seen the Matthew Perry one? Don’t bother. Ditto the one with the ‘investigative journalist’, ahem, Zara McDermott in Thailand. And the one that follows the mind-deadening Tommy Fury for 10 – yes 10 – entire episodes. In fairness, that might just be the algorithm feeding me drivel. Hopefully, Auntie’s still producing some top-tier fact-based docufilms elsewhere. Once Upon a Time in Iraq and Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland are two of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen. Mo Salah: Never Give Up not so much.
In 2023, the BBC followed a unit of 99 Ukrainian volunteer soldiers as they attempted to defend a railway line. Shot mostly from body camera footage, the ensuing film, Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods, won 2024’s BAFTA for Best Documentary. It depicts the realities of war in the rawest, most harrowing way I’ve ever seen and is something I believe should be shown in every sixth form (it's too graphic for anyone younger). This year, Apple TV+ began streaming 2000 Meters to Andriivka, the follow-up to the Oscar-winning 20 Days in Mariupol. It’s a devastatingly brutal feat of documentary-making, and a reminder to be thankful at this time of year.
The must-read book: The Maniac by Benjamín Labatut
I recently interviewed Jeremy Goring, the straight-talking CEO of The Goring hotel, the last London digs still in the hands of the family who founded it. During a wide-ranging interview that would go on to wear out the asterisk key of my keyboard, I asked Jeremy what he was most fearful of. “Whoever thought it would be a good idea to create a machine that would become smarter than us, then connect it to every piece of knowledge in the universe, I think really needs their head examined. That f**king terrifies me,” he said. Jeremy was all for artificial intelligence curing awful diseases, but other than that, thought the idea was a terrible own-goal. “Read The Maniac by Benjamín Labatut,” he said. “It’s about a real-life mathematician called John von Neumann who paved the way for one of the first supercomputers.” So I did. And it’s equal parts fascinating, and equal parts terrifying.
Read more: The expert’s guide to creating a chic festive dinner table
