It has been a highly politicized year and no doubt world and local events will affect the way we dress for the holidays and beyond. The Trump victory in the US has signaled a nationalist, populist bent but also an individualistic return to the greed and excesses of the ‘80s. Wall Street is already rejoicing and just look at all the power shoulders, metallic mesh and bling in fashion. In the Philippines, the past decades are also being revisited: with the controversy over the Marcos burial, millennials are digging up the past of ‘70s martial law and ‘80s People Power, with a nod to the disco days, Dynasty and David Bowie. Those were tumultuous times but also fun, no-holds-barred days with just the right attitude as inspiration to make this season’s holiday dressing merry and bright.
The red and green parties
The default color of St. Nick is always guaranteed to bring cheer but it is also the color of seduction, as shown by Hailey Baldwin, who wears her deep red silk dress with matching lace-up heels. Jessica Alba mixes her red lace skirt with a blue eyelet blouse with ruffled cuffs and ankle boots. Wynn Wynn Ong, at the Metrowear Icon show, had a sweeping red silk skirt with a sheer top exquisitely beaded with black and red flowers and a waist embellished with her signature sculpted gold jewelry. You can also throw all caution to the wind and do the Christmas colors the way Alessandro Michele mixes them at Gucci with true Italian aplomb, mixing a retro printed floral green dress with a ruffled red cape. Too shy to wear a dress in holiday colors? Just open the vault and pile on the rubies and emeralds!
‘80s power shoulders and unitards
Have a ball evoking Joan Collins in Dynasty without looking like her in the ‘80s, of course, since even she is now a Dame and has moved on to The Royals as Grand Duchess Alexandra of Oxford, mother to Elizabeth Hurley’s Queen Helena. The ridiculously enormous pads have been replaced by cleverly cut tops that emphasize the shoulders without the bulk. Get them draped in bright colors and pair them with disco pants. A one-shoulder ruffled number from Moschino with the flourish of a train on the side is a spectacular option, made current and less grandiose with tattered jeans.
Sheer power
There’s nothing more powerful than a fit body for Christmas and you can proudly show it off with the season’s sheer dresses like those at Celine, which were worn with black bra, high-waisted knickers and knee-high boots. Beyoncé was seen recently in a black number with white scalloped embroidered borders and polka dots by Alice McCall, which she wore with a fox fur scarf from Maximillian and black heeled evening sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti. Bella Hadid was one of the best dressed on the pink carpet of the Victoria’s Secret show in Paris, wearing a Julien MacDonald gown with Art Deco patterns. JLaw was sensational in a blue tulle full-length skirt worn with a star-embroidered cashmere sweater, from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut collection for Dior.
The power of sparkle
Nothing spells holiday festivity like the glint of metal, sequins and crystal. Versace, turning chain mail into glamorous gowns since the ‘80s when Gianni was still alive, has updated versions like the rose gold one worn by US First Lady Michelle Obama at the last state dinner at the White House. Gigi Hadid wore a slinky one that was mixed with sheer metallic fabric. Olivia Palermo’s mini dress by Valentino came fringed in silver, matched with black patent Roger Vivier loafers.
Animal rights
Make your way to the top of the party’s best-dressed list with the help of your furry friends from the jungle. Dries Van Noten masterfully mixes animal spots with rich purple and silver brocade worn with python boots. A cream cowhide top blends seamlessly with a giraffe pencil skirt worn with black gloves and antique gold ankle boots. For just a touch of the wild, he has a leopard clutch with snakeskin accents. Saint Laurent’s clutch is made sumptuous with black tassels. You can also have the spots and stripes on your feet with Sergio Rossi’s clogs, Maison Margiela’s platform tribute to David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, or Gucci’s galloping zebra Mary Jane heels.
The power of history
For something more royal, go back a few centuries more to the Renaissance era with corseted tops, bell sleeves and rich fabrics. Gucci has reworked the look with digital prints and modern combinations of colors and textures. Louis Vuitton’s party-ready take is a black off-shoulder top paired with red patent trousers and work boots.
Velvet goldmine
The plush luxury of velvet makes it, hands down, the fabric of the season. It’s a winning alternative for the Le Smoking suit, as worn by Cindy Kimberley in deep red and by Cate Blanchett in bottle green. Or you can go more loungey in a relaxed Alberta Ferretti pantsuit version in taupe. Monse has a long gown in salmon with a sensational slide neckline.
New school specs
To make the retro-influenced and opulent looks a bit more casual and current, join the new school and wear a pair of spectacles, a very important accessory of the moment. Your fully beaded or brocade dress will no longer be as stuffy with this geek touch. In one fell swoop, the queen suddenly becomes more accessible to the masses.
Matchy-matchy power
Double up the power of prints by matching the dress with the bag or the shoes. Many fashion houses offered the option this season, from Chanel’s fuchsia tweed suits matched with bag and boots, to Loewe’s blue fringed versions and Miu Miu’s brocade prints. Sonia Rykiel and Balenciaga were all abloom with floral dresses and knee-high boots.
Naughty or nice with leather and lace
Play both sides to get fashion points from Santa with the rockstar combination of leather and lace. Lameka Fox was a hit wearing a scintillating black lace gown with a leather corset underneath. You can also go more demure with a closed-neck white lace blouse worn with a black bow paired with a leather skirt and ankle boots.
The enduring power of art
When all else fails, wear a piece of art. Although the prices of paintings and sculptures of the modern masters have reached stratospheric heights, the jewelry they designed is more affordable. Vintage necklaces by Picasso and Calder, like the ones in the Louisa Guinness Gallery in London, are all you need to dress up that tired LBD. She also commissions pieces by contemporary artists like Anish Kapoor, Ron Arad and Claude LaLanne.
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