A Stylist’s Guide to Modern Festive Dressing: From Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve
- Rebecca Nicholson
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
When it comes to festive dressing, personal stylist Bella Hignett approaches the season with the same philosophy that underpins all of her work: considered choices, strong silhouettes and clothes that enhance confidence rather than compete for attention. It’s an approach that recently came to life on The Life of Luxury’s latest front cover, which Bella styled featuring Lady Amelia Windsor — a study in winter glamour rooted in tailoring, texture and restraint.
For Bella, Christmas style should never feel accidental. “I firmly believe Christmas Day warrants an effort,” she says. “Not in a way that feels forced or impractical, but intentional.”
Raised in a household where festive dressing was non-negotiable, she grew up seeing clothing as a form of respect for the occasion. That influence remains central to her styling today.
The Modern Christmas Day Uniform
Bella’s advice is refreshingly pragmatic: festive dressing doesn’t require buying more; it requires styling better. Most wardrobes already hold the foundations of a polished Christmas look. A well-cut pair of trousers paired with a silk or satin shirt, or a midi-length dress styled with ankle boots or elegant flats, strikes the right balance between smart and wearable.
Comfort is non-negotiable, particularly on a day built around long lunches and indulgence. Bella favours high-waisted, wide-leg trousers with discreet elasticated panels, softly tailored jumpsuits and dresses that skim rather than cling. “Restrictive waistlines have no place on Christmas Day,” she notes.
Colour and fabric do the heavy lifting. Bella gravitates towards deep winter tones — burgundy, bottle green, chocolate, charcoal, navy and camel — often styled monochromatically for a cleaner, more elevated finish. Velvet, silk and satin add depth without veering into novelty, while statement gold jewellery introduces a festive note without overwhelming the look.
Comfort, But Make It Intentional
The idea that comfort and polish are mutually exclusive is one Bella routinely dismantles. Relaxed silhouettes, clever tailoring and luxurious textures allow ease of movement while maintaining structure. A red lip, she adds, is one of the simplest ways to sharpen any outfit instantly. And if hair doesn’t behave? “A cracker hat has saved more Christmas looks than people realise.”
Bella also believes festive traditions can be refined rather than abandoned. Luxe pyjamas — particularly silk or satin styles — can be elevated, though she often recommends silk jumpsuits or dresses as a more practical nod to the trend. “They give the same softness and sheen, but they’re far more functional once food enters the equation.”
Hosting With Style (and Sanity)
For hosts, Bella’s advice is rooted in realism. Cooking is done in slippers and an apron; polish is applied just before the doorbell rings. She sees beauty as a strategic styling tool — a bold lip or defined eye instantly elevates even the simplest outfit.
Tablescaping, too, plays a role. Well-chosen serving pieces, festive linens and considered glassware contribute to the overall impression. Style, she believes, should extend beyond clothing into the environment itself.
New Year’s Eve: Rethinking Glamour
While sequins dominate New Year’s Eve by default, Bella encourages a more directional approach. “If everyone’s wearing sparkle, I always suggest doing something else,” she explains. Cream trouser suits, velvet tailoring, feathers, beads or a bold accessory worn with conviction often feel more memorable than head-to-toe sequins.
Hair is kept deliberate — often slicked back and tied — allowing the focus to remain on the outfit. For those avoiding overt sparkle, Bella recommends fitted leather or pleather dresses, velvet suits or sharply tailored separates, always styled with restraint. “Balance is everything,” she says. “Too much leather, particularly head to toe, rarely works. Suede footwear is far more interesting.”
Accessories as the Final Edit
Bella treats accessories as an editorial edit rather than an afterthought. Her rule is simple: one statement at a time. Chunky gold earrings or a bold necklace — never both. Bags are often unnecessary; instead, she favours standout earrings, gloves, cocktail rings, hair accessories or an exceptional coat that becomes part of the conversation.
Heels are a New Year’s Eve staple, though she’s pragmatic about their shelf life. Backup flats are encouraged, as is confidence, whether that means kicking shoes off entirely or leaning into a bold styling choice.
Glamour Without Gimmicks
Bella’s work on The Life of Luxury cover featuring Lady Amelia Windsor reinforced a philosophy she’s long championed: glamour doesn’t require sparkle.
The shoot deliberately avoided sequins, focusing instead on silk, jacquard and impeccable tailoring. “Glamour is about fit,” she says. “A beautifully cut blazer or pair of trousers that works with your body will always feel more luxurious than anything overtly decorative.”
Investment Pieces That Transcend the Season
Looking beyond December, Bella advises investing in pieces that earn their place year-round: a double-breasted herringbone blazer, a tailored jumpsuit with a defined waist and long leg, silk shirts in champagne or bronze tones, and cashmere knits in rich autumnal colours.
Tailoring, she notes, is often the difference between something that’s worn and something that’s relied upon.
Bella’s Own Festive Wardrobe
This Christmas, Bella will likely reach for dark navy jumbo corduroy trousers paired with a fitted cashmere knit in burgundy or charcoal — or a black Isabel Marant dress she’s worn for over 15 years. “It comes out most Christmases,” she admits.
Her dressing room, where her wedding dress hangs in full view, reflects her approach to style as a whole: personal, edited and enduring. Festive dressing, she believes, isn’t about excess, it’s about clarity, confidence and knowing exactly what works.
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