Culture

7 of the best on-screen Christmas outfits

This party season, look to the stars of your favorite festive flicks for style inspiration, as well as seasonal cheer… By OLIVE WAKEFIELD

Lifestyle

Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones’s Diary

Although this film didn’t quite succeed in putting turkey curry buffets on the map, it did wonders for the humble Christmas jumper. Colin Firth as Mark Darcy almost steals the scene with his retro reindeer number, but it’s Renée Zellweger’s Bridget who comes up trumps in her mother’s scarlet paisley waistcoat and pencil skirt combo (Alessandro Michele would be proud). Check out Gucci and Miu Miu for ways to wear it now.

Noughties nostalgia
Knightley’s Love Actually outfits create some of the film’s most memorable moments

Juliet, Love Actually

There are so many things to say about Juliet’s unflinchingly ’00s wardrobe in this film – think brown leather winter coats, cowl-neck tops and hipster jeans – but let’s start with that flat cap. Actress Keira Knightley recently revealed that she only wore it to cover up a blemish on her forehead, turning a tricky spot into a fashion moment. Look to Isabel Marant for this season’s best update, and Eugenia Kim or Clyde for sleek, day-to-night leather versions.

HOLIDAY ROMANCE
Cameron Diaz’s character in The Holiday (pictured here with Jude Law) has cold-weather dressing down to a tee

Amanda Woods, The Holiday

Is there anything cozier than a cream cashmere cardigan? Take style tips from Cameron Diaz’s character and her varying shades of buttercream-colored knitwear in this Christmas movie favorite and look to The Knitter and Ganni for some seriously chunky woollies. Of all our seasonal on-screen style heroes, Amanda has definitely thought the longest and hardest about the unpredictable winter weather – the wardrobe was such a standout, in fact, that Diaz opted to keep the clothes after filming.

PLASTIC FANTASTIC
Rachel McAdams and Lindsay Lohan’s racy Jingle Bell Rock rendition in Mean Girls is perfectly OTT

The Plastics, Mean Girls

Not a look for the faint-hearted: the red-vinyl getup worn by The Plastics – played by Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert – should only be attempted at a Christmas-themed costume soirée, preferably while performing the film’s rendition of Jingle Bell Rock (thigh-slap not optional). That said, we fully endorse the girls’ patent knee-high boots, and clearly so do labels Alexandre Vauthier and Aquazzura.

Yuletide ruffles
Hermione’s Yule Ball dress is a magical princess ballgown moment

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

When Hermione emerges at the Hogwarts Yule Ball in this pink gown, complete with its cascading ombre ruffles, it’s a true princess moment for girls around the world. This is the closest a Christmas film (not strictly classified as such, but there’s Christmas in it, and snow, so that’s good enough for us) gets to ballgown perfection. Try eveningwear goliaths like Elie Saab and Marchesa for a forever-piece worthy of Emma Watson.

Kim, Edward Scissorhands

The just-so, off-the-shoulder neckline; the second-skin, fit-and-flare silhouette; the luminous snowy shade… Kim’s (played by Winona Ryder) prom dress in this fantasy flick is wardrobe perfection. Look to Ellery, Danielle Frankel and Gabriela Hearst for your own modern take on this classic Little White Dress.

SNOW WHITE
Winona Ryder’s wardrobe in the classic ’90s film has stood the test of time
COZY CHRISTMAS
Meg Ryan’s winter wardrobe in When Harry Met Sally has us yearning for oversized coats and chunky knitwear

Sally Albright, When Harry Met Sally…

What do you think of when you picture Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) dragging a Christmas tree through the snow – true love? Not us; we reminisce wistfully over Sally’s chic oversized outerwear, slouchy knits and chunky scarves. No one rocks a crisp Christmas look quite like Sally; in particular, her tweed-on-tweed layering. Recreate the outfits with Kenzo’s belted tweed coat and Victoria Beckham’s croc-effect brogues.

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