What Are You Wearing This Christmas? Let These Six Fashionable Women Inspire You

It's a Christmas period like no other, so we're looking to some of the most stylish women we know for inspiration on how to spend the festive season and what to wear...

Lindsay Peoples, editor-in-chief Teen Vogue and co-founder of the Black in Fashion Council

The pandemic has changed everything, but I'm really looking forward to cooking and spending time with my husband. We aren't traveling anywhere as we want to stay safe, but we are going all-out to make sure we are still celebrating and thinking about the things we're grateful for this year. I've always loved the holidays, but it's especially important this year – which has felt like five years in one, so it'll be a great time to be reflective on all of life's changes and grateful that we've made it through one the craziest years despite it being tumultuous. I'll be filling my home with lots of decorations I found online and enjoying lots of food! I love to cook, so will be making a full menu as if I'm feeding many people even though it'll just be me and my husband. We'll definitely be leaning into being comfortable and cosy! I've actually enjoyed not having to dress up so much because it's given me time to edit my closet. I've taken time to think about what I want my style to be instead of being busy with events and shows and having to rush through so much.

Lauren Santo Domingo, co-founder and chief brand officer, Moda Operandi

This year will be merry, it will be bright but even Santa is going to need something stronger than milk and cookies. My typical winter in NYC, and of course this year won’t be ‘my typical’, is jammed with a dozen Christmas parties a week, from work to school, to friends and family, the holiday season really never ends. There are so many people I haven’t seen in such a long time that I am actually looking forward to receiving all those really gratuitous Christmas cards with shiny family photos. I will wear a Marina Moscone Cape, one will definitely need a cape. The secret to being a great holiday season hostess? Lighting and liquor. There should be a drink in everyone’s hand at all times and a couple of party games up one’s sleeve, if the night starts to get dull, I break out the Trivial Pursuit. I find with smaller groups that the mix of people is the most important thing but many of us have all been separated and isolated, just the act of bringing people together in a safe environment is welcome. When morning comes, and we are all sitting around the tree, just our little family, for that moment I’m sure, nothing else matters. But please, no more Zoom.

Alice Casely-Hayford, content director, Net-A-Porter

I can’t remember the last time I hit a dancefloor or stayed out until the early hours. As we can’t go out to parties, we need to bring the parties to us. I’m planning cocktail evenings with friends over Zoom and hope to host a few real-life intimate dinner parties in the not-too-distant future.

I’ve only realised now how little time I used to spend at home. It’s been delightful being able to nest. We’ve just expanded our lifestyle offering at NET-A-PORTER and I’ve been snapping up homeware treats from Anissa Kermiche, Erdem and Completed Works. I’ve embraced dressing from the waist up for Zoom meetings so I’m really looking forward to stepping back into dresses and dare I say, heels?! I have my eye on an Alaia halterneck gown and as Manolo Blahnik just launched on NET-A-PORTER, it’s the perfect excuse to ditch the slippers and slip into something far more special. The joy that dressing up brings is more vital than ever now.

Rosh Mahtani, founder Alighieri

I don't usually love Christmas, but for some reason, this year feels really different. The little things I previously took for granted have become almost mythical in my mind. Party season will be all about dressing up and savouring every moment of time we have to spend with family and friends. To set the mood at home I light an abundance of candles in gilded Alighieri candlesticks and bake ginger snap cookies. The smell of cinammon and ginger always immediately sets the tone! When it comes to the table, even if it's just for two, you can make it so special. Crisp white napkins in napkin rings, name cards, candles, hints of gold and a ritual of Palo Santo before dinner can transform any meal! This time of year solidifies a sense of community but I think this will be heightened in 2020. I hope we will all be looking out for each other and taking a moment to help those who might be feeling lonely.

Ditte Reffstrup, creative director, Ganni

Christmas is our thing. We would usually always go big on the Christmas party to really bring our team together and say thanks for all their hard work. But we can’t do that this year – it just wouldn’t be the same doing something on a smaller scale. We’re going to wait to celebrate until we can all be together – and you can believe it will be the party of all parties! I’m longing for that feeling of being on the dance floor with all your friends.

We love a house party and always have people back to ours after fashion week, when we end up in our kitchen dancing on the table. I think making sure people feel welcome, at home and comfortable enough to help themselves to drinks is key. Secondly, invite your friends who are always the first and last on the dance floor, and of course you can’t go wrong with a great 90s playlist. Remember to have fun yourself. Don’t overthink it.

It’s still so important to dress up. It’s my version of self-care. And if you’re at home, there are no rules – anything goes. I’m enjoying wearing our silk dress in our upbeat flame colourway and pairing it with flats so you can dance all night around your kitchen.

Alana Hadid, co-founder La Detresse

Being with family and friends is what life is all about, celebrations of life are so necessary. Right now we need to show each other love and have a little fun. It’s amazing that now we can see people from the comfort of your own home. Throw on a matching sweatsuit, some heels or boots, fun jewellery and a red lip or a smoky eye and log into your Zoom party. I have always been a big fan of comfort and fashion, which is one of the many reasons I love what I do with La Detresse. I think one of the things we’ve learned in 2020 is that we can accomplish everything in a cool sweat outfit.