Emilia Petrarca, Writer
I love holiday parties, but every year, I get a little carried away in terms of shopping. Based on the number of themed outfits I buy, you’d think I was being invited to a function every single day from October through January, which, unfortunately, I am not. This year, my goal is to make smarter purchases, meaning invest in pieces that work 365 days of the year. Red is a color I will never get tired of, and the holidays are a good excuse to wear it head to toe. Pairing this red Theory miniskirt with Calzedonia red tights and a Sandy Liang red turtleneck would make anyone stand out in a crowd. Personally, I’d even throw in some Simone Rocha accessories, like these pink-and-red bow earrings, their matching pink-bow socks, and these gold pleated ballerina flats for extra flair.
Song-I Saba, Writer and Co-founder of PYSCIS
Now that I’m in my early 30s, a holiday-party look feels like a fun opportunity to play with subtle high/low elements. The avant-garde Japanese aesthetic of Kei Ninomiya, Rei Kawakubo’s protégé, strikes the perfect balance between punk and elegance. I love his modern interpretations of LBDs; their voluminous silhouettes remind me of certain Cristóbal Balenciaga designs. These would go well with a pair of blue satin Manolo Blahniks, which might otherwise feel a little conservative.
Sarah Hoover, Writer, Critic, and Consultant
During the holidays, I like to dress like a failed Rockette or ex–Sugar Plum Fairy—at the ready in sparkles and other seasonal clichés I can take over the top in case I’m needed on stage. Even if I’m just at a party, I feel like it’s truly my duty to be a good guest by bringing the visual holiday cheer. That means special, singular dresses or sets that feel extra festive—emphasis on extra. My one rule is nothing tight; holiday outfits should have room for all of the season’s delights, especially potatoes in each of their beautiful forms.
Harling Ross Anton, Writer and Brand Consultant
One of my favorite things about the holiday party season is the opportunity it presents for a full-throated embrace of aesthetic clichés. Subtlety might reign supreme for 90 percent of the year, but as soon as late November rolls around, it’s our long-overdue chance to really lay it on thick. For me, that looks like a Shushu/Tong wool-and-silk-blend gabardine minidress replete with a ruffled silk organza underlayer, paired with a Lands’ End turtleneck, sheer black tights, Oscar de la Renta vintage gold earrings, shiny shoes by Suzanne Rae, and some velvet ribbon tied around my ponytail.
Lolita Cros, Curator
For the holidays, I like to dress just like I decorate my Christmas tree—colorful and sparkly! I bought a Paco Rabanne/Versace-knockoff dress that I love in the West Village a year ago. I wear it with tights and a hand-me-down Saks Potts coat. The shoes I pair it with inform the decade—if I wear my Jimmy Choo white boots, it automatically feels 1960s, while if I go for my tall Pigalle Louboutins, it looks straight out of the 80s. I wouldn’t say it’s the so-called “quiet luxury” that people are going for these days … I’ll save that for when I’m 70!
Nicolaia Rips, Writer
The holidays are a time for family, friends, sartorial introspection, and religion (I guess). All that must be done in a really sensational outfit. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t despair—there are only two holiday outfits to be concerned with: the party and the after-party. For both, I suggest seeking inspiration from the Samanthas. In the first half of the night, dress like the American Girl Doll Samantha Parkington. This Gentle Spring red dress is charming, especially when worn with these perfect Sandy Liang round-toe ballet slingbacks. And let’s not forget the accessories, like this insane Gohar World baguette bag. For the after-party, go more Samantha Jones with these Rosette sheer black-lace capris. Carry your bottles in Parcelle’s new leather wine bag and accessorize with a Rebekah Bide necklace customized with your initials. Hide it all under a fur coat purchased at a flea market or an estate sale—I picked up my favorite white fur at a tag sale in Astoria. After a vigorous spray of Bloodflower by Quartana, it smells at least 50 years younger. Happy holidays!
Gia Kuan, Fashion Publicist
This little black dress by Shushu/Tong seems to be the perfect party fit for all occasions. Based out of Shanghai, Shushu/Tong’s Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang are my favorite designers right now—there’s something ultra lady-chic and retro but also femme fatale–Alfred Hitchcock about their clothes. I usually pair the dress with earrings from UselessObjects, a brand I work with by the Chinese stylist Lucia Liu. The pieces are romantic, whimsical, and versatile—I wear them to work but also for special events. Now on to my holiday wish. I was browsing glasses in the Gentle Monster flagship store in Seoul recently, and their collaboration with D’Heygere, a niche Parisian accessories brand, blew my mind. The sunglasses’ frames are decorated with the brand’s signature jewelry, but you can also replace the earrings and rings with other jewelry you own. I want them so bad! They’re currently sold out, but I’m putting myself on the waitlist for later this month.
Mecca James-Williams, Editor and Stylist
Living between Jamaica and New York has really transformed what holiday style looks like for me. In the city, I love wow-factor pieces that aren’t overdone—simple yet showstopping dresses with classic, structural accents and a beautiful shoe is my power combination. I also love the opportunity to wear black, as I typically shy away from it in my daily wardrobe. For my tropical holidays, I like to lean into color and prints and wear bold, low-heeled shoes for a night of dancing under the moonlight.
Liana Satenstein, Writer
This festive season, there’s going to be no sparkle—nary a sequin for moi. Instead, I want to go the route of a severe skirt suit with a razor-sharp, exploding bold shoulder, like it’s 1994 and I’m hanging up the car phone and exiting the longest Volvo you’ve ever seen. Sort of like the “You Don’t Own Me” First Wives Club skirt-suit moment, but with chugging-eggnog flair. Maybe a sultry iteration in jet black, corporate pinstripe, or even a precious Tiffany blue. There’s something subversive and undeniably sexy about even the dowdiest of skirt suits. Plus, you’ll always look dressed up and polished in a skirt suit, without trying too hard.
