What Bollywood’s Top Stylist Recommends You Wear This Holiday Season
Celebrity fashion stylist Tanya Ghavri unwraps the ‘it’ things every celebrity is swearing by this season — and gives us a peek into what’s next to come.
As 2024 draws to a close, festive dinners, office parties, secret Santa exchanges, and plans for glamorous NYE celebrations are in full-swing. Instagram feeds are buzzing with impeccably dressed celebrities, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: What do we wear now?
Tanya Ghavri, stylist to the stars, shares her insider tips. With a clientele that spans Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shanaya Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, she lets us in what the genuinely fashionable crowd is wearing right now… and also, what they will be in the seasons to come.
GHAVRI SAYS WHAT’S IN:
Saint Laurent’s Y Tote Bag
“In terms of bags, the Saint Laurent Y bag is very in right now,” Ghavri reveals. Supermodel Bella Hadid carried the black version while promoting her new fragrance in Los Angeles this August, sealing its status as the ‘it’ bag of the season. It’s the perfect choice to carry around travel essentials during the holidays. Two months later, actor Angelina Jolie sported the tan version at JFK airport, and Blackpink’s Rosé, along with actors Talia Ryder and Zoë Kravitz, soon followed. Model Sofia Richie Grainge (who started the clean beauty rage last year) jumped on the Y Bag bandwagon too.
Black Loafers
Whether it's Miu Miu, Gucci, Dr Martens, Maison Margiela or Saint Laurent — loafers are the go-to shoe this season. The SS24 runways had these shoes parading through their fall/winter and spring/summer collections. Black loafers, especially, “are back in a big way,” she says. Easy to style, they go from day to night and are “super comfortable, androgynous yet chic,” as Ghavri puts it. Many recognise it as part of the signature Hailey Bieber look, but from Malaika Arora Khan to Khushi Kapoor (who frequently sports black Prada loafers) and even Ananya Panday, it’s everywhere.
Chunky Gold Jewellery
Say goodbye to minimalist accessories because gold jewellery is bigger, better and chunkier than ever. Whether it is Kiara Advani’s hoop earrings or Kareena Kapoor Khan’s jhumkas, it’s the perfect addition to spice up any holiday or festive look. And no one does it better than Bollywood’s favourite maximalist, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. Ghavri points to Meesho for Indian options and Messika for western and adds, “Statement jewellery is super, super in.”
The Hermès Kelly
The Hermès Kelly is clearly having a moment with the B-town stars, so we wonder why Ghavri doesn't crown this the bag of the season. “Because it’s the bag of all seasons,” she explains. “It’s a classic and I don’t think it's ever going out of style.” From Khushi Kapoor to Suhana Khan, Gen-Z has made this bag theirs. Actor Ananya Panday took it one step further, dressing up her purple Kelly with ‘bag jewels’ by designer Ashna Mehta.
GHAVRI SAYS WHAT’S NEXT:
The Return Of The Peep-Toe
Dust off your 2012 favourites because the peep-toe heels are officially back in vogue. The reign of pointed-toe shoes this winter is giving way to the rise of peep-toe ones in the summer. From Miu Miu and Dries Van Noten to Acne Studios and Giambattista Valli, the SS25 runways have brought back this gem of the past, and it’s slowly trickling down to the smaller brands around the globe. Lawyer and activist Amal Clooney, the epitome of good taste, was spotted wearing them on a walk with her husband and actor George Clooney in Saint-Tropez last month.
The Emotional Support Bag
Soft, pillow-like, and generally big enough to fit all the essentials — an emotional support bag is what all the ‘it’ girls want in their wardrobes this holiday season. While Coach started the trend with funky teddy bear-shaped bags, Stella McCartney’s larger-than-life clutches are about to be the newest fad in 2025.
Turn It Inside-Out
Why hide what’s inside? Transparent accessories are having a moment — and the prime example is Rabanne’s plastic outer bag that artfully displays another embellished purse inside — and is essentially, two bags in one. Victoria Beckham too, kept things sleek and sophisticated in her latest show, showcasing footwear so clear it looked like her models were floating on air.
Lace It Up
Miu Miu’s buckles are a thing of the past, and “lace ups are here to stay,” says Ghavri. “Whether it’s boots, peep-toes or block heels,” she predicts they’ll be all over the Internet very soon. Brands like Ganni and Chloé are leading the charge with their recent runway looks featuring lace-up designs that promise to be everywhere in the upcoming months.
Out With The Old, In With The New
Sunglasses are going intergalactic — bigger and bolder. The mini sunglasses inspired by the ’90s are gearing up to be replaced by those that are oversized and out-of-this-world. They're fresh, funky and futuristic. Prada and Loewe’s fun take on this trend is sure to be a big hit with the avant-garde crowds.
While celebrity fashion and runway trends are all in good fun, in order to be truly, truly fashionable, Ghavri explains, one must find their own style. “Be comfortable in what you’re wearing and really own it. Find something that’s very unique to you.” The expert stylist also believes that the secret lies in staying within your comfort zone while pushing its limits, and most importantly, enjoying yourself. “Fashion is supposed to be fun, and let’s keep it that way,” she adds with a smile.