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Photography provided by Stacy London
Stylist, designer and women’s health advocate Stacy London became a household name on TLC’s makeover hit What Not To Wear, so naturally she’s got sensational holiday fashion tips (and her own eponymous clothing collection for QVC). But she also believes in amping up the elegance in all areas of our lives, whether she’s gifting glamorous vintage objects from her own curated collection or gilding her tree with delightful, eye-catching ornaments. “There is a way to push your limits a little bit that will get you excited about this time for reinvention and the reclamation of self,” says London. “The holidays are a wonderful time to go big or go home, but it is also a time for us to be intimate. When you’re worrying about hosting or cooking, the last thing you should worry about is opening up your closet and feeling deflated or uninspired.” Bottom line, says London: “I’m tired of telling you what not to wear. I just want to give you things you can wear and that you feel comfortable and confident in.” Here, she shares her tips for a super stylish season.
In Her Enchantress Era
If we think about the archetypes of women as we age, we’ve got ‘the maiden,’ ‘the mother’ and ‘the crone.’ But there is a stage between ‘mother’ and ‘crone,’ and that is called ‘the enchantress.’ And it makes so much sense to me because midlife — when we’re in our 50s and up — is a time for us to create our own magic. At this stage of life, you have to shop for clothes that empower you rather than tear you down. We’ve got to start dressing like the cool cats we are. At this point in my life, I don’t need to dress for anybody’s attention. I just need to dress for my own sense of power and confidence.
Photography provided by QVC
Comfort is Key
Since the pandemic, a lot of people have struggled to bounce back, myself included, from a world where we’re more casual. If you weren’t wearing sweats all the time before Covid, you certainly are now. It’s become the pajamafication of America, right? Now, at a holiday party, we want to be comfortable but still put together. I don’t want you pulling at your dress all night. I want you to be able to fall asleep in your clothes after you ate way too much pie. Suiting is one of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal of style tools. Wearing one is like putting on a suit of armor just to meet the day and feel good about yourself. And I love a velvet or velour suit at holiday time. They have a great sheen, and they come in wonderful, saturated colors. For QVC, I created one that is so comfy, you really feel like you’re in your jammies at home. Pair it with high heels or Zadig and Voltaire high-tops to dress it up or down. I would wear a velour suit with a T-shirt or tank top and it would look great, and I could sit there feeling comfy, like I’m wrapped in a hug, while everybody else is wearing a super-tight corset dress they can’t breathe or sit in.
On Metallic Moments
As we get older, there’s this pervasive feeling like we have to move toward clothes that feel more matronly, or toward ‘stealth wealth,’ where all of a sudden all you can wear is neutrals. But basics don’t have to be boring, particularly for the holidays! For this time of year, I have always leaned into glamour and festive looks. There are a lot of ways to add color and pattern and texture and shine into a wardrobe. I do not usually believe in red or green for the holidays, but mix a flaming-bright, fire-engine red with metallic pastels in silver or ice blue or lavender or pink? Now that’s holiday color in a new way. You could wear a silver metallic lamé dress with a fire-engine red coat that has a removable fur collar. Or a deep purple sequined suit with a metallic floral brocade overcoat. If I’m going to a holiday party, I’m probably wearing a pastel metallic dress with some kind of fur coat. Or a brocade suit with a satin blouse. I’m definitely going big.
Photography provided by Bounkit
On Silver Bells (and Whistles)
Right now, silver is the new gold. All of the things that we’ve been seeing — a lot of messy layered necklaces or a lot of bracelets, all in gold — I think we’re going to start to see people switch it out and mix in silver this year. Colored enamel is also so incredibly beautiful for the holidays. That could be an Hermès bracelet or incredibly large, beautiful stone jewelry in turquoise and topaz and amethyst or mother-of-pearl by Bounkit. You don’t have to be sentimental with your jewelry. You can love a piece of jewelry but that doesn’t mean it has to be the thing you wear every time you put on an outfit. I just want more freedom. You could wear no jewelry and incorporate color or shine with another accessory! My glasses have definitely become that statement for me.
On Maximalism
I don’t trust you if you’re just totally minimal. Okay? I don’t trust you if you don’t have any tchotchkes. That’s why I started Small Beautiful Things because everyone needs a tchotchke. You need some tchotchke in order to be a trustworthy human being. Otherwise you’re up to something. It’s about joy. I know Marie Kondo has spoken a zillion times about getting rid of everything, but there’s a difference between minimal and austere. This is true for the way we dress and the way we decorate our homes. Your clothing and your home environment should make you feel both beautiful and safe. And that safety doesn’t come just because you have an alarm on or a lock on your door; safety comes from knowing that what’s around you is what animates and inspires you. You’re never gonna be able to control what other people think about you, but the way you present yourself and your environment — for the holidays and for life — is really about you telling the story of who you are.
Photography provided by Eberjey
On Tree-Trimming Traditions
One year we cut down our own Christmas tree upstate. It was lopsided, but we put up lights, we did the whole thing. Couldn’t believe it. It was amazing. It was the best Christmas ever. We only believe in weird decorations. I am not going to do all-white mother-of-pearl balls with the perfect garland. Everything has to look messy and crazy. We have ornaments that look like Prince, one that’s a stick of butter and another that’s a jar of jalapeños. I believe in having fun with it all.
On Luxe Loungewear
I’m obsessed with Eberjey pajamas. They are the softest. They look the chicest. I like something as soft on my skin as possible. I don’t like being itchy and uncomfortable and I won’t make myself uncomfortable for style, which is something I might have done in my youth. I used to stand in five-inch heels for 12 hours. I won’t make those sacrifices anymore. But I don’t believe that comfort means you have to sacrifice style.
Photography provided by Le Labo
On Unique Gifts
I love to gift a set of cocktail glasses or something for the bar. I might find a compact that has a friend’s initials on it or an old cigarette case you can use as a wallet. People are always so excited. I love charming, vintage objects because no one else will have the exact same thing, and that always makes it feel more special. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about chocolates and some bubbly, but the one thing I won’t give, personally, is candles. I do not believe we should presume to know what somebody wants their house to smell like. Please don’t get me a candle unless you’re getting me the huge Le Labo concrete one that I can put on the floor and keep for 10 years. I’m not interested.
