In this year’s John Lewis Christmas campaign, “Don’t Give Up on Giving,” Slow Horses star Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, 66, steps in as Gloria — a chic grandmother on a mission through London to find the ultimate Christmas surprise.
While the storyline tugs at the heartstrings, the fashion is what garnered my attention. Gloria does not do frumpy in this advert. Instead, she gives us a lesson in modern, effortless style that all of us should pin directly to our festive mood boards.
Grounding Gloria's whirlwind dash across town is the kind of luxurious, relaxed outerwear Aligne does so well. Her navy belted coat is practical enough for chilly December streets, but will still make you feel pulled-together the moment you walk out the door.
And then come the real fashion curveballs. While we might have expected heritage label Ralph Lauren to appear in the form of a sensible cable-knit or a classic collared shirt, Gloria completely rewrites the script by donning high-shine gold party trousers.
It is an inspired, joyful choice, proving that clean tailoring and bold metallics belong in our wardrobes at every decade.
Adding another dose of deliberate edge are her trendy studded shoes, which in...