Recreate Looks From These Nostalgic Christmas Films

LA It girl Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) switches houses with UK journalist Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) for the holiday season in this Christmas classic. Diaz’s character is a high-powered, movie-trailer editor and her outfits surely emit that same energy. Her chic style is especially clear when she just arrives in the UK, where she’s wearing a black and white ensemble. Her wool coat, with the shearling panels, screams city-girl and her pointed pumps are elegant even today. Winslet's role, on the other hand, embodies the Frazzled English Woman aesthetic that's been trending in the fashion world as of late. Her slightly frizzed hair, chunky sweaters, and thin scarves are the ultimate Y2K revival look this season.

If you’re planning to be your own main character this winter, look to Keira Knightley in Love Actually. In typical love triangle fashion, Knightley plays Juliet in the film, who is married to Peter and the unrequited love of Mark. The film follows the journey of eight couples, where Mark struggles with his feelings for Juliet—the wife of his best friend. During Juliet and Peter’s wedding, Juliet stuns Mark in her wedding dress, and we can see why. The sheer panels and the light ostrich feathers make for a classy dress that still shows personality. Think subversive basics but for your wedding. And we also love the baker boy hat that Juliet wears, on a more casual day in the film.

Christine Baranski is Martha May Whovier in this children’s classic tale about a grouchy creature who hates the festive season and tries to steal the town’s decorations in an attempt to thwart any celebrations. Baranski’s character plays the Grinch’s love interest and is a style icon in so many ways. If you have any Christmas costume parties this year, Martha is a great choice. Martha’s dramatic and over-the-top style can be modernized in a Gen-Z maximalist way, but signature elements of her look include her beehive updo and her velvet red-and-green sweetheart neckline dress. Otherwise, her pastel blue nightgown look is also a stunner that shows a softer side of the character.

The most anti-Christmas movie on our list is Eyes Wide Shut. The film stars Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise as Alice and Bill Harford, as Cruise’s character undergoes a journey of self-discovery that leads him to see his marriage and wife more clearly than before. Our favorite part though? Nicole Kidman’s low-back moments in the film. The first black number was a slinky slip dress with a very dramatic back that emanates a sensual vibe, and the second has mesh sleeves complete with embroidery and lace for a classic form-fitting silhouette. Kidman was rocking balletcore before it was a thing.

Worthy of special mention is the "Jingle Bell Rock" scene from Mean Girls. It may not be a Christmas movie but this iconic stage performance saw the Plastics lipsyncing and dancing to the song in latex Santa-themed costumes, much to the dismay of the high school’s teachers. The matching red sets and Santa hats toe the line between cute and provocative. But we’re living for the knee-high boots, which would definitely still work in 2022, especially in chilly climates. All we can say is that even almost two decades later, the Plastics had it right.