Every year, the holiday season has a few things to look forward to. Getting festive with your loved ones, sipping a cozy cup of hot chocolate, and very likely…watching a marathon of Hallmark holiday movies along the way.
Admit it: At some point in the holiday break, you simply must tune into a guilty-pleasure Hallmark special. There is a beautiful consistency in watching the lighthearted, feel-good films. (Usually, this involves a big-city career woman, who finds her way back home in her small town to rediscover her roots.) The Hallmark network has such a cult following for a reason: Its seasonal, uplifting films with gentle stakes and simple, sweet narratives make for a soothing watch, and instantly get you in the spirit.
There is a total art to igniting such joy in our lives—especially in the costume department. Behind the scenes, Hallmark costumers approach holiday dressing with a trained eye and some serious skill. “Fashion in a great Christmas movie should feel magical, warm, nostalgic and emotionally comforting—almost like a visual hug,” says Hallmark costumer Jaralin Detienne, who outfitted the new holiday film She’s Making a List, starring Lacey Chabert; a.k.a. the queen of the Hallmark universe.
Like any great costume department, the Hallmark movies’s fashion teams will view what characters wear as more than just an aesthetic choice: Their clothes must evoke a feeling, that being one of holiday joy and optimism. “People are often surprised by how much storytelling goes into every wardrobe choice,” says Detienne. “Nothing is random—each look is carefully considered in relation to character development, lighting, set design, and the emotional beats of a scene.” Costume designer Kathy Strachan, who worked on Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas, echoes the sentiment. “The costumes for a Christmas movie have a duty to be fun! It is a time for celebration and counting one s blessings.”
Of course, there are specific colors, silhouettes, and pieces they all use to achieve this jubilant mood. Shades of red, green, and white are—obviously—pivotal. “Christmas is red, green, and white,” says Strachan. “Add to this sparkle and twinkle, some gold and silver, and you have the classic Hallmark Christmas palette.”
In She’s Making a List, Detienne outfitted Chabert in deep reds and sumptuous greens, designing outfits in rich wool or velvet textures. “I wanted the wardrobe to showcase a balance between polished structure and playful holiday charm, before easing into the cozy, small-town Connecticut vibe.” says Detienne. Chabert—who has starred in over 40 Hallmark films—says cultivating an upbeat look for her characters is always a fun part of the job. “The overall look is always festive, relatable, and cozy,” she says. “In She’s Making A List, the costumes Jaralin found for my character’s disguises as an inspector for the Naughty or Nice group were particularly fun. I love when we have the chance to branch out and mix it up as well.”
The Hallmark looks also often have a relatability to them: The characters are never too trendy or avant-garde, rather, they are designed to be more accessible and appeal to the masses. (That is, unless, they go for the opposite: dressing to really feel the whimsical, festive fantasy: See the theatrical Christmas tree hats below.) Comforting textures and layers are often used to achieve this (think: plaid scarves over wool coats over cozy cableknit sweaters). “Texture is just as important as color,” says Detienne. “Sequins, tweeds, velvets, flannels, and chunky knits all help sell that sense of seasonal warmth on screen.”
The kicker of dressing like a Hallmark star, however? While many movie characters are seen bundling-up in the snow, the actors portraying them are often shooting such scenes in the dead of summer. Therein lies some movie magic: Costumers work extra hard to make us believe it really is a winter wonderland. “There are plenty of tricks my team and I use to keep them cool while they’re layered in wool coats and scarves,” says Detienne. “We’ll often remove sleeves from sweaters worn under coats, or create the illusion of layers, by pairing a coat with a tank top and a strategically styled scarf. Ice packs tucked discreetly within the layers are common, along with personal fans, cooling tents, and lots of de-layering between takes.” It’s a different kind of majic than what you see on screen.
So, the next time you partake in an hours-long Hallmark binge? Try to take notice of the deliberate, and sometimes formulaic, costumes: It may just inspire you to get more festive with your own wardrobe. (Even if you are just parked on the couch.) After all, the hope for many Hallmark costumer designers is to inspire viewers to view fashion as a morale booster. “I hope fashion plays an integral role in the magic of the holiday season, making people feel comforted and nostalgic—like curling up with a warm drink,” says Detienne. “If viewers feel inspired to try something new with their own wardrobes, or to embrace that sense of coziness, romance, and connection in their own lives, then the fashion has truly done its job, and so have I.”
