Ah, the holidays...
They're like a time machine, whisking us back to the good old days where Christmas shone with the twinkle of tinsel and the swankiness of festive threads. If you look at them for long enough it's like stepping into a living, breathing retro Christmas card.
Vintage Christmas snaps are more than just a walk down memory lane; they're a goldmine of fashion-forward ideas, serving up style tips for now and later. The 1950s Christmas scene in particular was all about the razzle-dazzle. Think swishy skirts, nipped-in waists, fur wraps, and bling that could outshine the North Star. Gents in dapper suits, ties sharp as a tack, shoes so shiny you could see your reflection. These weren't just clothes; they were fashion statements, a nod to a post-war world that was all about living it up.
© Silver Screen CollectionRetro photos are like festive fashion shows. Families gathered around decked-out Christmas trees, each person dressed to impress. Party time back then? Pure class. Today's hustle and bustle make us long for that vintage Christmas charm, a reminder to jazz up our holidays. Those photos are a nudge to bring back cocktail party cool and the art of dressing to the nines.
Mixing in a dash of that old-school glam to our modern festivities can add a sprinkle of magic. Maybe it's shaking up a classic cocktail, decking out your tree in a retro style, or donning a vintage-inspired frock for the evening. These snapshots from the past? They're our guide to recreating that elegance and grace, helping us make new memories with a tip of the hat to the good old days...
Hello! Fashion shares the best vintage Christmas photos for stylish inspiration:
Susan Abraham
© John FrenchSwathed in a gown that whispers "vintage chic" louder than a gramophone, Susan channels the opulent flair of a bygone era. Her attire, a sartorial confection of tulle, paired with gems that twinkle like stars, is the very definition of old-school splendour. It's a look that's ready to waltz right off the pages of history and onto the dance floor of today's soirée, sparkling with a nostalgia that's as refreshing as it is timeless.
Elizabeth Taylor
© Hulton ArchiveStepping straight out of a 1950s holiday postcard, Liz Taylor twinkles amidst the Yuletide trimmings, her gown shimmering with more gusto than the tinsel. With elegance that could outshine any Christmas bauble, and a grace that Mrs Claus herself can't deliver, she's the belle of the snowball, wrapped in a scene as rich and heartwarming as a cup of eggnog.
Natalie Cole
© Michael Ochs ArchivesA heartwarming vintage snapshot captures a young Natalie Cole in a crisp white dress with a stylish collar and bow —a timeless tableau of familial joy.
Audrey Hepburn
© BettmannCapturing a charming holiday moment, Audrey Hepburn shares a playful kiss with Santa Claus, embodying the festive spirit at a charity event in New York. She's dressed in a luxurious textured coat, her smile as radiant as her star power, celebrating the season of giving in glamorous style.
Diana Ross
© Allan TannenbaumIn a vibrant snapshot from the legendary Studio 54's New Year's Eve bash in 1978, Diana Ross shines next to the club's co-owner Steve Rubell. Ross dazzles in a sumptuous red taffeta and velvet gown, embodying the exuberance of disco's golden era, as they revel in the night's electric energy.
Jayne Mansfield
© Silver Screen CollectionTwirling into the '60s holiday scene, Jayne Mansfield is all aglow, rivaling the Christmas tree's twinkle in her candy-pink ensemble. It's old-school glam meets mistletoe charm, with Jayne sprinkling a touch of tinseltown magic on the season's merry traditions.
Eartha Kitt
© Paul HarrisAmid the city's nocturnal buzz, Eartha Kitt exudes timeless style as she makes a call from a New York City street corner. Clad in a stunning sequined red gown with a daring slit, paired with a luxurious black fur coat and matching red heels, Kitt captivates with her radiant smile, embodying the glamour of the '80s.
Joan Collins
© eddie sandersonPerched next to her Christmas tree, which could give the Chelsea Flower Show Gardens a run for their money with its floral festooning, Joan Collins proves that 'tis the season for a touch of drama. Sporting a black skirt and a jacket redder than Rudolph's nose, she's the personification of Yuletide flair, capturing the essence of the '80s with every sparkle.
Whitney Houston
© L. BusaccaUnder the glow of festive lights, Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston serve us a duo look that says, 'Holiday cheer runs in the family.' With Whitney rocking a winter-themed jumper and Cissy in her nautical stripes, they're not just harmonising in tunes but in style too, bringing a double dose of diva to the MTV holiday special. It's a Christmas card moment that has us singing, 'I Will Always Love You... and your sweater.
Marilyn Monroe
© Hulton ArchiveStriking a pose that could give a Nutcracker soldier a complex, Marilyn Monroe flaunts a festive ensemble by the hearth. She's holiday cheer personified, wrapped up with a bow, and the only stocking stuffer we're dreaming of is that outfit. With a wink and a smile, she's the silver screen's gift that keeps on giving.
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
© Slim AaronsAmid the twinkling tinsel and Yuletide glow, the Bogart family serves up classic Hollywood elegance with a side of Christmas cheer. Humphrey, with his ever-suave demeanor and a drink in hand, Lauren, the epitome of silver screen glamour, and young Stephen, are the picture-perfect trio proving that in Beverly Hills, even the Christmas trees dress for the occasion.
Ann Getty
© Slim AaronsIn the grand atrium of Ann Getty's Pacific Heights abode, the spirit of '79 is as lush as the garlands. Amidst a symphony of crystal and fine china, Mrs. Getty, a vision in black, gives the final oomph to a Christmas fête that's less 'silent night' and more 'sparkle all the way'. Every detail whispers (or rather shouts), "deck the halls with boughs of Haute couture."
The Kennedys
© BettmannIn a holiday scene that's less 'baby, it's cold outside' and more 'Camelot meets Christmas,' the Kennedys stand before their festive fir in the White House. Jackie, in her fiery red sheath dress, and JFK, dapper as ever, could give Santa and Mrs. Claus a run for their money. This snapshot isn't just a throwback to the '60s—it's a masterclass in power dressing for the season of mistletoe diplomacy.
Tina Turner
© Tim RoneyEmbracing the frosty delights of winter, our favorite diva cozies up to the coolest guy in town. Decked out in winter white that makes even the snowman look twice, she's the queen of the snowball scene. With a smile that could melt glaciers, she's proof that you don't need to be cold to be ice hot.
Anne Francis
© Hulton ArchiveWrapped in a festive ensemble that rivals the brightest package under the tree, actress Anne Francis delivers holiday charm with a side of sassy. Clad in crimson from head to toe, she’s the epitome of a Christmas vision, proving that Santa's got nothing on a Hollywood starlet's yuletide glow. Holding gifts that surely can't outshine her own star quality, she's a walking, talking holiday miracle, and the only list she's on is the best-dressed
Anna May Wong
© BettmannSilent film star Anna May Wong appeared in over 60 movies throughout the course of her career. Seen here in 1932 at a celebration at the Christy Hotel in Hollywood, the star opens up a Christmas present beneath a gargantuan tree bedecked with a wholly satisfying amount of glittery tinsel (clock the carpet below - we don't envy the January vacuuming session).
Lana Turner
© Hulton ArchiveMovie star Lana Turner positively glows in this festive shot from 1955. Looking as sparkly as the tree itself in a white bedazzled gown and some seriously shiny earrings, she stands in front of a gloriously ccolourful Christmas tree. Now if only we looked as good on Christmas Day...
