Aesthetic of the Season

Style tips for the most festive time of year.  

December has a special way of bringing our style to the surface. As the temperatures drop and the holiday invitations roll in, the way we show up starts to feel more intentional — layered, expressive, cozy, or glamorous depending on our mood and what this season is asking of us.

As a fashion stylist, I love watching how people embrace their personal aesthetic this time of year. Not the “Instagram-perfect” version — but the real-life, everyday style that reflects personality, comfort, confidence, and a little bit of festive magic.

Whether you’re getting dressed for family gatherings, holiday services, office parties, or just running around handling life, here are five aesthetics shaping the season — and how each one translates beautifully into holiday style.

1. Cozy Luxe 🧣

For the person who loves comfort without sacrificing polish.

Cozy Luxe is winter’s love language: warm neutrals, plush scarves, ribbed knits, and tailored coats that feel like a soft embrace. This aesthetic is all about elevated layering — pieces that feel good on the body but look refined enough for any holiday moment.

Holiday Translation:
• Cream, camel, and soft-gray knits
• Oversized scarves styled intentionally
• Longline coats with subtle structure
• Glossy boots and gold accessories for quiet shine

Cozy Luxe is perfect for the home host, the chill-but-stylish friend, or anyone who wants to look put together while feeling completely at ease.

2. Holiday Glam (Wearable Shine) 🪩

For the person who loves a moment — but wants it to feel personal, not performative.

Holiday Glam this year isn’t about sequins from head to toe. It’s about the art of sparkle. Think satin blouses under tailored coats, velvet jumpsuits with minimal jewelry, metallic skirts balanced with soft knits, and classic red lips that speak for themselves.

Holiday Translation:
• Velvet dresses or jumpsuits
• Satin slip skirts paired with sweaters
• Metallic statement pieces (in gold, champagne, pewter)
• Clean, intentional glam — not overdone

It’s the aesthetic for anyone stepping into a room ready to celebrate — elegantly.

3. Classic / Minimalist 🖤

For the person who believes less truly is more.

Minimalist holiday style is timeless: crisp tailoring, black-and-white dressing, winter whites, clean lines, and silhouettes that speak through structure rather than embellishment. Nothing screams holiday louder than simplicity done well.

Holiday Translation:
• Black wool coats
• Tailored trousers
• Simple turtlenecks
• Winter white monochrome
• Gold studs and sleek boots

Perfect for holiday services, elevated dinners, or someone drawn to elegance that will still look chic 10 years from now.

4. Sporty Chic 👟

For the person who wants to move, stay warm, and look good doing it.

Sporty Chic brings streetwear and function together — making space for the people who live their life on the go but still want to catch the eye. Puffer jackets, high-quality athleisure, sleek sneakers, and tonal sets dominate this aesthetic.

Holiday Translation:
• Monochrome sweats with a structured coat
• Puffer jackets with soft beanies
• Elevated joggers and clean sneakers
• Matching lounge sets in holiday tones

It’s perfect for holiday markets, errands, kid activities, travel days, or anyone who loves a “casual but intentional” look.

5. Eclectic / Creative 🎨

For the person who treats their wardrobe like a palette.

The Eclectic holiday aesthetic is where everything gets fun — mixed prints, bold textures, bright outerwear, chunky jewelry, and curated vintage pieces. This look feels joyful, expressive, and completely unique to the wearer.

Holiday Translation:
• Plaid skirts with oversized sweaters
• Unexpected combos (sequins + denim, faux fur + knits)
• Colorful coats and scarves
• Vintage accessories with modern silhouettes

This is the aesthetic for creatives, maximalists, and anyone who wants to be the festive moment, not just attend it.

❄️Your Season, Your Style ✨

The beauty of holiday style is that it doesn’t force anyone into one box. You might be Cozy Luxe on a Monday, Holiday Glam on a Friday, and Sporty Chic on a rushed Saturday morning. You might blend aesthetics or switch depending on the occasion — and that’s the true magic of personal style.

This season, let your wardrobe reflect your joy, your comfort, your creativity, and the version of yourself you’re stepping into. Whether you choose softness, sparkle, simplicity, movement, color, or renewal — your aesthetic is your story.

Show us your style!  Tag @w_y_a_215 with your holiday fit (or nominate a stylish friend) and you may be featured in a future What’s Your Aesthetic?. Local designers, stylists, and fashionistas, let’s connect: Ms.ayrejohnson@gmail.com. Follow me on Tik Tok and YouTube for the latest videos, and please leave your thoughts and feedback in the comments below. Let your style inspire in every season!

Images and collages featured here by Christin Johnson. If you enjoyed this story, please see Christin’s previous column, “Dressed to Express,” where she introduces herself and her fun, accessible approach to style.