The Biggest Unwritten Style Rules Of Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies

Hallmark Channel Christmas movies follow a series of unwritten rules when it comes to storytelling: Typically, a woman from the big city returns to her small-town roots and meets a hunky local who sweeps her off her feet as lights twinkle and the snow falls around them. And while all of this is happening, the heroine is usually clad in a chic (but not too chic) winter wardrobe that is both desirable and attainable to the viewing audience. And while there may have been a few fashion missteps along the way, or maybe even a few worst-dressed characters in need of a refresh, the styles are usually simple, classic, and elegant.

To achieve the signature look of Hallmark Christmas movies, the costumers and stylists behind the scenes have more than a few tricks up their sleeves (and usually a scarf or two) to assemble a wintry wardrobe worthy of the whimsy happening on-screen. While there's no specific directive the characters must follow, several key elements seem to make it into every movie, and even a few items get reused from movie to movie. The people behind the scenes who bring the costumes to life have offered up their secrets throughout the years, along with some tips and tricks you could apply to your own closet.

Red and green are the traditional colors associated with Christmas, and those tones absolutely pop up in the costumes for Hallmark Christmas movie characters. Kathy Strachan, a costumer for Hallmark films, told Vogue in 2025, "Christmas is red, green, and white ... Add to this sparkle and twinkle, some gold and silver, and you have the classic Hallmark Christmas palette."

Keith Nielsen, another costumer who works with the network, told People in 2024 that he also works in jewel tones to avoid being too obviously Christmas-y. "I love jewel tones instead ... There are different variations of jewel tones to play with, and they read very winter. I love a deep purple and oxblood, which is kind of on the red spectrum," he told the outlet. As Nielsen also told The New York Times, "Hallmark likes color and saturation," so don't expect any main characters to be running around their small towns in muted tones.

Cozy sweaters and knits are synonymous with winter, and the same goes for Hallmark Christmas movies. Characters often appear bundled up in peacoats, scarves, hats, and gloves when they're outside, and colorful sweaters when they're inside. Jaralin Detienne told Vogue the fashion in the Christmas movies should feel "almost like a visual hug."

That's where texture plays a key part. Detienne told the outlet, "Texture is just as important as color. Sequins, tweeds, velvets, flannels, and chunky knits all help sell that sense of seasonal warmth on screen." They also noted that there's a lot of layering to evoke a sense of comfort.

The looks from "The Devil Wears Prada" are a far cry from what you'll see in a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie. The characters are meant to be relatable and possibly attainable (at least look-wise — finding a dreamy small-town romance isn't so easy!). The costumers Vogue interviewed noted that fans will rarely see anything too trendy or eccentric, barring an actual fantasy look or purposefully cheesy Christmas costume (think ugly sweaters adorned with tinsel and lights). 

As Keith Nielsen told InStyle in 2022, "In general, I always want to keep all my work super classic — especially for Hallmark and any Christmas movie — because we watch them year after year. I don't ever want anything to look dated unless it's supposed to look dated" (via Yahoo Life).

In his People interview, Nielsen said, "I shop at quintessential Americana brands like J.Crew, Brooks Brothers, and Banana Republic." He also opts for Kate Spade bags and shops at outlet stores and online, something many viewers at home are likely to be doing. The channel reuses many costumes from one movie to another as well, saving on its budget and achieving some sustainability.

Like the stories Hallmark tells, some familiar elements appear in every costume a Hallmark heroine might wear. And there's one key that, in Keith Nielsen's styling, is the basis for any outfit: a fabulous winter coat (several, in fact). "Usually, there's a before coat, a during coat, and an after coat because, if you notice, they're typically traveling," he told InStyle. He said he's used as many as 15 coats on a star and is always making sure they match with what's being worn underneath. "I can't be throwing on a navy coat with a hot pink skirt. It's just not going to work. I want to do something that works tonally," he said. Nielsen also favors featuring at least one red coat per film, à la Hallmark queen Lacey Chabert's look in a "Merry Scottish Christmas."

What's under the coats also matters, and there's a formula there too. As Nielsen explained to InStyle, "It's darker-washed jeans, because that reads more winter." He pairs this with a colorful sweater, and usually a block-heeled boot for practicality. "I'm always trying to have a little bit of reality while still leaning into that fantasy. Because everybody makes fun of the ones where it's like, 'Oh she's in stilettos.' I'm like, 'Okay, a block-heeled boot, a little bit more practical.' It's also versatile and goes with everything," he said.

While almost every Hallmark Christmas movie takes place in the winter months, the cast and crew are rarely filming in season. Most of the movies are filmed in the spring and summer, so the costumers have to make certain alterations to make the outfits less sweltering hot. As Jaralin Detienne told Vogue, "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."

Keith Nielsen told People he has used ice vests and packs as well, but that came with some drawbacks. "We actually bought a deep freezer for my truck just to put all the packs in ... But then your clothes are wet, and then it's hot," he explained. The costumer said he has also pulled stuffing out of jackets, cut off sleeves to make things less bulky, and opted for as lightweight a material as possible where he can.

Many of the looks for the actors may be off the rack from stores like J. Crew, but there's a secret to making them look picture perfect on-screen: tailoring. As Keith Nielsen told InStyle, "I think tailoring can make such a change in the way you look and feel ... Once I get started tailoring, I'm always like, 'Let's cut off a sleeve and change the neckline.' You can create and make it your own."

Nielsen opts for a major fitting session with his actors before filming to ensure a smooth and efficient filming process (another Hallmark signature). "It's so fast ... And if you're ahead on one day, they could pull a scene up, so you have to be ready for everything, which is why I don't do multiple fittings throughout the process. I do one mass of one in the beginning so I can understand the scope of everything visually," he told People.

If dressing like a Hallmark Christmas movie star is your goal, it's possible. Some clothes that are rented or borrowed are returned; some the actors keep or buy, often because they've been tailored to them, while others go on display. But Nielsen said anything else often gets donated, so there's a chance you could come across a familiar-looking sweater imbued with the magic of Christmas.

There is also a Hallmark reseller called Luxanthropy. They have a full section on their site dedicated to movies featured on the channel, and you can shop by title and by the actual clothes worn by the actors. Jennifer Hillman, co-founder and CEO of Luxanthropy, told InStyle in 2025 that they've had costume lots sell out "within five seconds." She also noted that most of the clothes are "real sizes" and are "more attainable" than other celebrity resale options.