A costume designer and a celebrity stylist share how they style chic and cozy outfits for the holida
- With the holiday season in full swing, many people are pulling out their most festive outfits.
- Costume designer Emerson Alvarez and stylist Kat Gosik love pops of color and mixed textiles for the holidays.
- This article is part of "Holiday Insider," your go-to guide for celebrating the festive season.
For many across the globe, the holiday season is a time for celebration. The jubilant atmosphere often comes with opportunities to step out in festive garb, whether it's for gift shopping or a year-end party.
Emerson Alvarez and Kat Gosik are fashion professionals embracing a celebratory holiday style. Alvarez is the costume designer behind the 2022 Netflix movie "Falling for Christmas," while celebrity stylist Gosik works with big names like actress Sydney Sweeney and "Selling Sunset" star Christine Quinn.
Alvarez and Gosik spoke to Insider about their holiday style, navigating fashion trends, and tips for putting together a fabulous holiday look — no matter the weather.
Alvarez imbues her practical style with statement pieces for winter
The costume designer grew up in Park City, Utah, where "Falling for Christmas" was filmed. The ski town's fashion rubbed off on Alvarez, who says her style is "dark, practical, but also [has] a lot of influence from the ski industry."
Although she doesn't go all out when dressing for the holidays, she noted that her line of work opens her up to experimentation.
While working on "Falling for Christmas," she put on a pair of blue earmuffs — initially intended for actress Olivia Perez to wear in the film — because she was cold, and she loved how they looked with her green sweater and patchwork jeans.
"I'll find things off of shoots all the time that I never would've purchased for myself. But I sort of have this newfound love for it," she said.
Whether she's dressing up for work or a party, Alvarez sticks to neutrals or jewel tones for her base during the holiday season. She then adds flair through accessories or statement pieces, like a pair of platform shoes, a plaid coat, or designer tights.
When Alvarez is searching for inspiration, she sometimes looks at old family photos and finds clothes that could be passed down from her relatives.
For those looking to spice up their holiday wardrobe, she recommends stepping away from the trend cycle and wearing what feels good.
"Be all-encompassing when it comes to your perspective on things and not just putting yourself in a box of what your gender is, what your age is, and what everyone around you is wearing," she said.
Gosik likes playing with different fabrics during warm-weather holidays
Living in a warm city like Los Angeles hasn't stopped Gosik from dressing up for winter festivities. The stylist says she achieves her eclectic style by dipping into fashion trends and finding what works for her.
Even though she loves an all-black ensemble, Gosik thinks traditional holiday colors like red, green, and blue can make great pops of color. She also thinks classic materials like denim and leather are popular through the holidays and "more fun to dress" than in the spring and summer.
For those living in a warm climate, she says silk is a great option that's "really chic and beautiful even if it's a short dress."
Gosik also thinks the holidays are the best time to wear clothes that aren't used year-round. Like Alvarez, she looks to family heirlooms for festive flair.
"I have some furs passed down from my grandmother that I bring out during the holiday season just because. I think it's nice because you're around family, and they're beautiful — they've been in my family for years," she said.
Ultimately, she thinks everyone should be comfortable with what they're wearing.
"I think you should dress however you feel confident, even if you're feeling out of the norm because you're dressing up," she said. "Just making yourself feel better by accentuating or hiding what you are or aren't confident about is key."
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