As the lyrics go, 'Don we now our gay apparel,' Christmas is the time to go all out in terms of your outfits! Even though big gatherings and Christmas parties are not encouraged this year as the Covid-19 pandemic still looms large, there's no reason why you can get all glammed up at home for the holiday season! Most especially if you live in Paris, the fashion capital of the world! After all, this is the home of some of the best brands in the world. A handful of which design the best holiday looks you can muster up!
Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent, or as it goes by now, Saint Laurent Paris, is one of those quintessential French brands whose heritage alone speaks volumes. It remains one of the most respected and most influential fashion houses in the industry. And you're probably thinking: 'How is this brand suitable for a festive look? Isn't it all about haute couture and strict tailoring?' For the most part, yes, but today's YSL is miles different than what it was before. And even back then, when the original Mr. Saint Laurent headed the brand, he was already into crazy colo combinations, plenty of sparkles, and a whole lot of drama!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sandra Mansour
Drama and glamour a'la YSL is all well and good, but there's no forgetting the fact that you'd still just be at home for the holidays. Do you really need to be in a tight and sparkly cocktail dress on your Zoom call? Not really, but you don't have to knock the people who want to do that. Instead, you can be the picture of leisurely glamour in Sandra Mansour. With her freeform silhouettes and luxe materials, she's all about the nonchalant coolness that
French style is all about. Think wafty dress in pastel shades or a figure-hugging sheer LBD that's not so constricting. It's contemporary Parisian chic at its finest!
Source: Sandra Mansour Facebook Page
Lanvin
Lanvin is yet another institution of a brand in Paris that's all about glamour and sophistication. And because of the great Alber Elbaz, the Lebanese designer who headed the brand from 2001 to 2015, the label has become synonymous with quirky, fun, yet quintessentially French style. And even though he's no longer at the house, this influence remains strong among the brand's latest offerings. The glamour is still there, the sophistication is still there, and while the quirkiness has been toned down, it's also still there. Their pieces make for great looks for your
Skype calls with the folks back home, showing that you're all right in your place despite what's happening in the world.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Alexandre Vauthier
Sexy, exotic, erotic, sensual, and glamorous. These are what best describe Alexandre Vauthier's signature style. In the past few years, he has taken the fashion world by storm with his unapologetically sexy and courageous style. A rebellious look with just the right amount of sex appeal to remind you of its French, particularly Parisian roots. Think leather LBDs, well-made white shirts that reveal more than you were expecting to, and tight jeans that hug you in all the right places. If you're unable to go back home to your special someone for the holidays, they're only a Zoom call away. And best believe wearing Alexandre Vauthier will make him wish he was by your side right now!
Source: Alexandre Vauthier Facebook Page
Casablanca
Now, for the men! Granted a nice tailored suit,
perhaps London-style, would always work for any Holiday setting, remember that you're not going to an office party where you'll impress the boss to get yourself promoted. Well, it can still happen in an online video party, but wearing a tailored suit would just look a bit too presumptuous, at worse, even snooty. So why not go for soft tailoring and a more leisure look by way of Casablanca? Though it's one of the newer brands on the list, it was already made quite an impact in the Paris fashion scene with its elegant yet relaxed take on menswear.
Source: Casablanca
Balmain
Thanks to the likes of the Kardashians and the Hadids, Balmain has become the go-to Paris brand for show-stopping party style. The current creative director, Olivier Rousteing, has cultivated a new look to this decades-old fashion house that's no longer about old-school elegance but a new breed of sexiness, a more rebellious attitude, and definitely a more daring look. But the great thing about Balmain is that every single piece packs in quite the stylish punch. So much so that just having one is enough. For instance, you can still impress your friends in a Zoom call by wearing a Balmain jacket paired with a simple white tee and denim shorts. Relaxed and refined in equal measure!
Source: Balmain Facebook Page
Don't let 2020 let you down this holiday season. You can still end the year with a stylish bang as you celebrate the holidays with friends and family, albeit online. These Paris-based brands, with the help of their online stores, will ensure you look your best for this time of the year!
No matter what you're wearing, you'll look better lounging about and celebrating the holidays in a
luxury home in Paris! That's the ultimate dream, isn't it?
