‘Tis the Season for the Pub—7 Effortless Outfits Perfect for Occasions at Your Local

As a self-proclaimed city girl in London, outings to the pub are a big part of my lifestyle. A social mecca, Brits and the pub go hand in hand like florals in spring or peanut butter and jam. If you’re from outside the UK, you might not understand our deep affliction for the establishment, but I guess it’s the equivalent of Parisians and bistros, the Spanish and tapas bars, and the Japanese and Izakayas. From post-work drinks with friends to Sunday roasts, football games to celebrations, the pub is our home away from home, even if you’re not a drinker.

At face value, choosing what to wear to the pub doesn't seem like rocket science. Yet I’ve found a variety of factors which tend to make the whole endeavour a touch trickier. Location is number one, as you see, not all pubs are built the same. Where your local easily calls for a grey tracksuit and trainers any day of the week, if you head to "fancier" establishments like The Devonshire, The Southampton Arms and The Audley, your favourite, slightly stained hoodie might make you feel a tad out of place. And the reason is, well, quite simple: different pubs provide different atmospheres. Some fancy, some not, and let’s be honest: everyone from Harry Styles to Lily Allen and Alexa Chung frequent their favourite London establishments, so you don’t want to be too underdressed.

From your embellished "Friendmas" two-piece to your comfiest loungewear set, the most fashionable people on my feed are proving that pub dates this festive season really can be a reason to dress up (or down). So with that, scroll to discover seven outfits that make choosing what to wear to the pub easier than ever.

7 Outfits You Can Wear to The Pub This Festive Season

1. Waisted Shirt + Jeans + Biker Boots

Style Notes: If you’re looking for a way to spice up your jeans, I find a Canadian tuxedo a fail-safe styling staple. Considering denim is meant to be casual, I’m always surprised at how elevated a matching set can look. What’s more, a two-piece set is low effort, ideal for a time of year when we want to be lazy (without necessarily looking it). At the moment, I think denim looks coolest when in a dark wash, just finish it with a pair of biker boots (extra points if they’re oxblood), and you’re good to go.

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2. Tracksuit + Lace Skirt + Boots

Style Notes: If you’re after a quintessentially British feel, you’ll know only a tracksuit will suffice. Pair with a lace skirt over the top for a subtle, IYKYK feel. This way, you’ll look like you’ve truly considered your look without having done much of anything at all!

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3. Checked Coat + Matching Set + Shearling Boots

Style Notes: As I said previously, at the pub, anything goes. So your Twixmas loungewear is perfect for any cosy establishment you may frequent. If you’re going to choose this look, I’d ensure your two-piece is a similar colourway, and your checked coat is of a similar vibe. This no-fuss approach adds a pared-back polish that looks like you’ve made more effort than you actually have.

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4. Two-piece Set + Pointed-Toe Flats + Pill-Box Hat

Style Notes: If the pub is a pit-stop to a chic Friendsmas dinner or a December baby's birthday, don’t overthink wearing your party look somewhere low-key. This time of year, with so many outings planned, you’re sure to find an assortment of outfits inside. Whether a sequin two-piece finished with a popular pill-box hat or a pared-back A-line maxi skirt with a waisted boat-neck tee, either look is perfect when paired with a glass of pinot gris.

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5. Leather Jacket + Jeans + Pointed-Toe Heels

Style Notes: If you’re travelling to family or friends for Christmas and are set on making it out on Christmas Eve (like me), a fitted leather jacket and pointed-toe heel definitely feels pub-adjacent. Blending elegance with a cool edge, the fitted leather screams fashion, whilst the jeans keep it casual enough to work with your hometown crowd.

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6. Shirt + Lace Skirt + Embellished Heels

Style Notes: If you're after a way to dress down your Christmas-party tulle, look no further. Offsetting your lace skirt with a white shirt creates a high-low feel, casual enough to party all night at the pub, but dressier enough to head to a bar afterwards. Finish with an embellished heel of your choice—even a Manolo Blahnik works, so long as you’re getting an Uber home!

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7. Faux-Fur Coat + Skinny Jeans + Knee-High Boots

Style Notes: IKYMI, skinny jeans are back in a big way, but personally, I find they look chicest with knee-high boots. With the tucked-jeans-in-knee-high-boots trend at an all-time high, when paired with a fluffy faux-fur coat, you have a fashion-forward way of making a statement at your local.

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