If there’s one word you wouldn’t necessarily associate with Christmas fashion, it’s the word ‘chic’. From the red and green elf-that-should-have-been-left-on-the-shelf ensembles, to the gaudy light up Christmas jumpers and that ugly sweater you throw on each year for the annual office party selfie. But every so often one of our favourite icons come out with a jaw-dropping Christmas look. One that Jesus himself would have adored. After all, Mariah Carey came to serve not to be served.
From Dolly Parton cosplaying as Elsa, to Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell showing you how to be the main characters at any Christmas party; here are some of the most festive fashion moments to get you into the holiday spirit.
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Destiny’s Child performing at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, 2001
The Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York City has become a staple of the holiday season — the first was put up in 1931 and since 1997, the tree lighting has been broadcasted to millions each year. To celebrate the 69th Christmas tree lighting in 2001 — just months after 9/11 — the tree was decorated in patriotic red, white and blue as America’s most powerful girl group, Destiny’s Child, performed a medley of their songs from their new festive album, 8 Days of Christmas. Singing in front of an all-boy’s choir and dressed in matching angelic white looks (with Kelly showcasing an iconic pair of hot pants in chilly NYC weather, no less) the girls brought some much-needed holiday cheer and goodwill to the country.
George Michael in Wham!’s “Last Christmas”, 1984
While Wham!’s hit single “Last Christmas” will forever go down as a festive classic, the music video is also a document of 80s culture. Other artists of the moment including Pepsi & Shirlie and Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp all make appearances as a part of the band’s friend group, while George Michael performs the part of our heartthrob himbo in the decade’s classic attire: tight blue jeans, perfectly textured and highlighted hair and comfy overshirts. As he looks solemnly towards the girl who broke his heart, the late great musicians’ array of trench coats and scarves are enviable. George sits by the log fire — his white shirt unbuttoned — and suddenly we wish it was us resting against his chest as he gives us his heart.
Dolly Parton in front of a Christmas tree, circa. 1992
Recent festive seasons have been a big one for Dolly Parton, who in 2020 released her own festive Netflix musical film and a new holiday album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, all while funding one of the Covid vaccines. Our Queen was truly doing God’s work. But country music’s biggest star has always been able to turn a festive look, evidenced by this picture believed to be from 1992. Standing in front of a Christmas tree in Lake Tahoe, California, Dolly looks like a literal snowflake — her perfectly fitted white dress and sheer overlay intricately bedazzled into a frosty pattern. Dolly Parton for the live action Frozen remake? We would like to see it.
Mean Girls, 2004
When you hear the words “Jingle Bell Rock” there are four people who come to mind and none of them are the original singer Bobby Helms (sorry to this man) — it’s Cady Heron, Regina George, Gretchen Weiners and Karen Smith. Donned in Santa hats, latex mini skirts and stringy Y2K vest tops all festively lined with white faux fur, and dramatically accessorised with black opera gloves, The Plastics provocatively danced and ad-libbed accapella to the song in a way that was so iconic, it inspired an entire Ariana Grande music video. Lindsay, herself, knowing she is the true star of the song, rerecorded it 18 years later for the release of her festive Netflix film Falling for Christmas. Get your bag queen!
Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss at the launch of Kate’s Topshop Christmas collection, 2007
At the launch of her Christmas collection for Topshop in 2007, Kate Moss partied hard at the exclusive Annabel’s private club in Mayfair, London. Serving guests lobster and blackened cod, her guests were treated to a runway show of all her gothic yet sparkly designs. Joining the celebrations was a legion of her contemporaries and other notable 90s supermodels from Elle Macpherson to Sophie Dahl to Jade Jagger. In one particular picture, we see Kate and her BFF Naomi Campbell looking stylish and sophisticated as they define 00s Christmas party chic — Naomi, in a white shimmering silk dress with a draped boatneck and flowers in her hair; Kate, sporting a black trouser suit and green sequined bolero on top.
The Supremes, circa. 1964
You may have thought Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift were the queens of multiple album drops within the same year, but in 1965 The Supremes were busier than ever, releasing four albums within those twelve months. The last of these was a Christmas pop and R&B record fittingly titled Merry Christmas, featuring stunning covers of classics like “White Christmas” and “Silent Night”. In this image — believed to be taken the holidays before their busy year — Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson make the perfect throwback Christmas card image, all lounging around the Christmas tree with stunningly coiffed bouffants and beehives as they listen to jazz music on a retro record player.
Mariah Carey in “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, 1994
Of course, we can’t forget the Queen of Christmas. Has padded clothing ever looked better than when Mariah Carey frolicked in the snow in a festive red ski set — cinched at the waist with cute plaits and a cosy fairisle hat? The ensemble was just one of a myriad of red outfits worn by the singer in the music video for the world’s greatest Christmas song of all time. The song finally reached the US Billboard number one spot in 2020 after 26 years and had been charting high every December since. But these outfits will not only be remembered as the most iconic looks worn by the star that is Mariah Carey, but a timeless signature of the entire holiday season.