Seven creatives share their best party outfits for festive season
IMAGE VIA @GNARLYNANDOS/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MARYEL SOUSA
“A celebration of chaos, excess and camp.”
The festive season is approaching at breakneck speed, though you’d hardly know it based on the dreary days that’ve been plaguing Melbourne lately. With overcast skies like these, it’s hard to imagine that brighter days are ahead, both for us and our wardrobes. But regardless of how distant those long-awaited holiday parties and beach days feel, they’ll be here before we know it.
Now’s the time to prepare. However and whatever you celebrate over the summer, one thing’s for sure: Festive season is an opportunity to show up and show out.
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Whether you opt for more understated elegance or treat the holidays as an excuse to look camp right in the eye, there’s no better season for donning the best your wardrobe has to offer.
Seeking outfit inspo, we turned to seven creatives to see how they’re styling holiday looks this summer. Below, they share what they’ll be wearing amid the fun and chaos.
Leah Herszberg, professional upcycler and director of Studio Nana
I found this suit for $12.50 – a 50-per-cent-off Salvos treasure – and even though it didn’t fit, I knew this Australian-made two-piece had to come home with me. Upcycling became a way to honour its original craftsmanship while reshaping it into something that felt undeniably mine. I wanted a festive look for the season and as a proud member of the Seth Cohen Chrismukkah Club, this transformed suit became my perfect cross-cultural wink.
By radically disfiguring the corporate silhouette, I turned something stiff and serious into something spirited and joyful. I dress the way I create: considered but playful, always with a sense of humour. It’s very Studio Nana, where the motto is ‘life is a costume party’, made literal – a holiday costume and a reminder that clothes don’t have to behave.
This festive season, I’ll be running Studio Nana workshops, celebrating with friends and squeezing in as many crafty days as possible. I’m excited to dress up without waste, reworking pieces I already own into festive outfits. Mostly, I’ll be showing off this suit and letting it do the socialising for me.
Sophie Marcoux, founder and director of Ficfolia Fragrances
I wore this outfit to celebrate the opening of Disuko, a new Japanese disco diner in Melbourne CBD. My top is from Belle The Label and it’s genuinely the softest material I’ve ever worn. I love the way it drapes around my shoulders and gives a subtle Vivienne Westwood energy. I paired it with a vintage skirt from my grandma, who is a fabulous fashion icon and my absolute style inspiration.
The skirt is layered and slightly sheer, making it perfect for knee-high boots so you can see them through the fabric. I thrifted these boots. They have the perfect square toe. I finished the look with my Swarovski tennis necklace and a red Balenciaga city bag from Virtual Icon Vintage.
Harriet Nixon, stylist and content creator
When thinking of festive-season outfits, I envision ones I can throw on in a pinch to feel and look my best while staying cool and comfortable. Funnily enough, I’m a print wearer through and through. You’ll rarely catch me in a one-block coloured outfit, but when I saw this Damson Madder set, I knew it had to be mine!
I’m all about re-wearability and buying clothing that I know I can style in more ways than one, so I love how versatile the top is, as you can wear it with or without the puff sleeves (like I’ve done here). Two tops for the price of one!
Every time I wear it, I’m always complimented by people who say I look so chic and put-together. This set is perfect for any festive event I’ve got coming up, without being too heavy on the Santa red palette!
Lara Daly, senior editor at Fashion Journal
I wore this outfit to a friend’s wedding recently and I’ll definitely be repeating this look for parties and special events this summer. Everything I’m wearing is pre-loved; I found these Prada wedges at Goodbyes in Brunswick the day before the wedding, and the dress and blue clutch are from PDA Shop in Fitzroy.
I actually booked in for a private styling session there (which I didn’t realise is a free service!) and when I arrived, they’d put out a selection of dresses in my size, pulled from their archives. I highly recommend doing this if you’re short on time shopping!
Sonali Fernando, stylist and content creator
During the festive season, the usual mandated order of society is thrown out the window and replaced with a celebration of chaos, excess and camp. It’s when I simultaneously thrive in total maximalist freedom, but as a sustainable stylist, I also struggle with the socially acceptable mass-scale overconsumption that occurs. I’ve styled my outfit to reflect exactly this.
I’ve used my layered style of clashing patterns, textures and colours together in a more-is-more ensemble that celebrates what the festive season is about. However, my outfit is styled using only items I already own, which were originally thrifted. By styling my outfit this way, I wanted to show that you can still be stylish, fun and festive during this period without overconsumption.
I’ve also used South Asian jewellery in my look, a nod to my heritage and a reminder that the festive season looks different for everyone.
Alexcea Apostolakis, studio manager at Variety Hour
This festive season, I’ve really been thinking about the duality of an outfit. Last summer, I was always running from the beach to the party, so this year I’m investing in some sexy and transitional swimwear. My vibe for this summer season is to leave the beach or pool, tousle my hair a little and hit the function in my swimsuit (but make it chic!).
I’ve grabbed a few bits from RAQ and, of course, the reversible mesh tank from Katharina Lou could not go amiss in my dream summer wardrobe. The tartan is so iconic for Chrissy-time, but I can also reverse it to plain brown for a little demure moment, too. Paired with a necklace I made and my Flora Bird earrings, of course! Not pictured: my ROC flat platform knee-high boots (duh).
My festive plans include turning 27, sipping bubbles, attending some punk shows and heading to New Zealand to soak up some rays and get my toes sandy.
Daisy Henry, assistant editor at Fashion Journal
Yes, even at the most jolly time of year, I’ll be sticking to my Melbourne uniform of all black only. This St Agni dress has my heart – its low-scoop neckline is perfectly scandalous for a work Christmas party or family lunch and the buttoned split at the side seam means there are endless ways to wear it. Here, I paired it with an old belt of my mum’s, black pants and clogs, but it stands just as strongly on its own.
For more on festive dressing this summer, head here.
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