Vintage Holiday Photos Of Hollywood Style Icons
Since it is the most magical time of year, it only makes sense that Hollywood stars throughout the decades dressed up, went out, and celebrated the holiday season with a bit of style.
From pictures of little Liza Minelli eating Christmas sweets to the Brat Pack goofing off in Santa Claus costumes, here are vintage pictures and an inside look at how Hollywood icons celebrated the holidays.
Bette Davis
In the 1930s, actress Bette Davis embodied the man in the red suit, wearing a beautiful Santa hat and cape, complete with fluffy white trim.
To complete her look, Davis posed inside a giant wreath. She looks very excited about the holiday season!
Gina Lollobrigida
Actress Gina Lollobrigida looked as dazzling as the Christmas tree she was standing in front of during the holidays in 1961.
Wearing a strapless mermaid sequined gown, Lollobrigida was no doubt the talk of the town.
Ava Gardner
Golden Age of Hollywood actress Ava Gardner is one of the most iconic faces to grace the silver screen.
Here, she is in front of the fireplace, dolled up in an off-the-shoulder green dress with Christmas tree detailing — the perfect holiday attire!
Elizabeth Taylor
Golden Age of Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor did a few Christmas campaigns in the 1950s.
Of course, the icon looks beautiful in both the causal and more formal attire she was styled in.
Ginger Rogers
Golden Age of Hollywood and Academy Award-winning actress Ginger Rogers dressed to impress during the Christmas of 1932.
Have it be an evening gown or a long fur coat; Rogers had style!
Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall
On Christmas Eve in 1951, actors and real-life husband and wife Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall posed in front of their massive Christmas tree with their young son, Stephen.
The entire family looks to be in the holiday spirit!
Audrey Hepburn
To celebrate being named the Top Movie Star of 1953 by Film Daily, actress Audrey Hepburn got into the holiday spirit!
Here, she is seen with Santa Claus in New York City during a Heart Thrift House charity event to benefit the New York Heart Association.
Jean Harlow
A week before Christmas, actress Jean Harlow was captured backstage with her Reckless co-stars. The year was 1934.
Here, Harlow and her male co-stars are seen eating toast, of all things!
Rita Aarons
Rita Aarons, the wife of photographer Slim Aarons, has one of the more iconic Christmas photos on the internet. Taken in 1954, the image shows Rita in a swimming pool with a Christmas tree anchored in the center.
She and her kids collected ornaments from the water. According to Rita’s daughter, Mary, her mother was not happy during the shoot since the pool was very cold and dirty!
Lena Horne
Actress and dancer Lena Horne looks bright and cheerful in this holiday photo. It might have something to do with the fact that she was aboard the S.S. America and just saw the New York skyline after weeks at sea.
The year was 1947, and Horne was returning home to Albany, New York, to spend the holidays with her family.
Claudette Colbert
Academy Award-winning actress Claudette Colbert swapped her red carpet attire for something a bit warmer and snow-friendly during Christmas in 1948.
Here, she is seen getting ready to hit the slopes in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Jackie Robinson
Christmas is the time of giving, as seen by former major league baseball player Jackie Robinson and his son, Jackie Jr.
In 1950, Robinson and his son went to La Guardia airport in New York to send gifts to the children in the Caribbean.
Carmen Miranda
“The Brazilian Bombshell” Carmen Miranda was invited to CBS to record music for their Christmas radio show in 1944.
During her session, Miranda sported a smile that no doubt lit up the room.
Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davsis Jr., & Dean Martin
Brat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin are all laughing while wearing Santa Claus costumes, complete with bells, from the film Robin and the 7 Hoods.
The question is if they asked for permission to wear the costumes or ‘borrowed” them from the dressing rooms.
Marilyn Monroe
Here, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, General William Dean, and Bob Hope were photographed having a laugh during Hope’s holiday party at his home.
The party was for the General who was departing overseas during the holidays.
Ingrid Bergman
During a Christmas party at her home in 1952, actress Ingrid Bergman invited the “Light Queen” to attend.
The actress, queen, and Bergman’s son, Robertino, all posed in front of the star’s magnificent tree.
Anne Jeffreys
TV actress Anne Jeffreys posed with her husband, Robert Sterling, under some mistletoe in 1954!
That same year, the Topper actress and Sterling exchanged gifts with actor Leo G. Carroll.
Lana Turner
Actress Lana Turner sure knew how to dazzle during the holiday season!
In 1955, Turner wore this beautiful white gown while posing in front of a Christmas tree draped in glittering tinsel.
Liza Minnelli
It might be difficult to see, but this little girl is Liza Minnelli, circa 1948!
Here, the soon-to-be actress is seen enjoying some holiday sweets at actor Edgar Bergen’s children’s Christmas party.
Janet Leigh
Scream Queen legend Janet Leigh dazzled during the holiday season in 1955.
Wearing a stunning cap-sleeved red dress, the actress is seen hanging bell decorations, getting ready for Christmas Day.
Sophia Loren
Italian actress Sophia Loren is wearing a very informal and casual outfit while getting her home ready for Christmas.
Here, she is setting up her nativity set, something that almost looks handmade.
Kim Novak
Vertigo actress Kim Novak looks like an angel that should be placed on top of the Christmas tree she is decorating with gold beads!
This photo was snapped during the holidays in 1956.
Annette Funicello
Original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello bundled up during Christmas of 1965. Here, she is seen in a gorgeous red velvet cloak with fur trim.
She even has a white fur muff with a pretty holiday bow to keep her hands warm!
Debbie Reynolds
Leave it to actress Debbie Reynolds to forego the typical Christmas or holiday dress for an awards ceremony and go full-on Santa!
In 1969, Reynolds attended the Golden Apple Awards in this amazing costume.
Aretha Franklin
The iconic soul singer Aretha Franklin was joined by her family in 1978 to attend the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Franklin’s family included her husband, Glynn Turman, and their three children.
Anne Gwynne
Actress Anne Gwynne took a different approach to Santa’s traditional suit.
Wearing a strapless mini-dress, Gwynne is seen walking across a snowy rooftop, lugging a big bag of toys over her shoulder.
Mary Martin 1940
Actress Mary Martin ditched her Peter Pan tights for a more traditional look during Christmas of 1940!
The actress wore a mini Santa dress, complete with a hat and a big bag of toys by her side.
Cher
Leave it to Cher to bring her child roller skating while wearing leather pants and a matching jacket!
In 1979, the iconic singer and actress brought her son, Chaz, roller skating with Santa.
Dorothy Granger
Dorothy Granger got into the holiday spirit back in 1930, posing inside a giant Christmas wreath made of holly with a tag, saying, “Merry X-Mas.”
The actress was known for her roles in short comedy skits.
Claudette Colbert
Actress Claudette Colbert posed alongside a big portrait of herself in the middle of Los Angeles, California, on Vine Sreet, during the Santa Claus Lane shopping season.
The thing is, she was not just admiring the portrait; she was signing it!
