The holidays are nearly here and bringing hectic travel plans along with them — but not for Charli D'Amelio. The content creator, dancer, and actor is already in festive spirits from her new role in Old Navy's holiday campaign, inspired by the bustle
of traveling for the holidays. "Holiday travel can definitely be chaotic, especially when everyone's trying to get somewhere at the same time," D'Amelio tells Popsugar. "The best part of traveling during the holidays is the feeling [of] knowing you're going somewhere, [and] my favorite moments are honestly just the travel days themselves, getting excited about wherever I'm going to."
D'Amelio was already a longtime fan of Old Navy's holiday pajamas from childhood, so joining its new campaign was a no-brainer for the star. Plus, she's also joined in the joyful shoot by beloved co-stars including Paris Hilton, Meg Stalter, True Whitaker, Alan Cummings, and Vidya Gopalan. While in front of and behind the cameras, the social media star shared that her time on-set made her excited for the holidays — and, of course, for soft and glamorous holiday fashion.
"You just can't go wrong with a perfect-fitting jean and a bit of sparkle," D'Amelio says. "I was aiming for festive, but still comfortable and cozy. Anything with sequins is always fun for this time of year. I'm always a big fan of cozy fleece pieces, because comfort is essential."
Below, we caught up with D'Amelio on her favorite holiday traditions, travel must-haves, and the hot takes she has on today's most popular holiday fashion trends (hint: she's all about a velvet suit this season).
Popsugar: In your opinion, what makes a perfectly festive holiday outfit?
Charli D'Amelio: I don't always dress up in my everyday life, so I like to feel festive during the holiday season. A dress paired with some cute tights is always a go-to for me.
PS: What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Are there any quirky or special things you do with friends and family?
CD: I've been really into sewing lately, and have been making some custom holiday-themed pillow cases. I also like to do Christmas crafts and wearing matching PJ's with my dog Rebel during the holiday season.
PS: Tell us about your holiday plans this season.
CD: My schedule can get pretty busy towards the end of the year. My holiday plans are filming "Charmas" videos that come out on my YouTube the whole month of December. I also really like to use the holidays as a time to give back. This year, my friends and I are purchasing gifts for the Family2Family program that Baby2Baby puts on, as well as fulfilling some Angel Tree wish lists, which has been really fun and special.
PS: Lightning Round: give us your take on these popular holiday fashion trends: sparkly chainmail, faux fur coats, crystal-covered boots, red dresses, velvet suits.
CD: Sparkly chainmail: I love a little sparkle, especially during the holidays! It's such a fun statement piece, and I think it's perfect if you want your outfit to stand out.
Faux fur coats: Obsessed. I love anything that feels a little extra but is also practical. A faux fur coat can make even the simplest outfit look so much more put-together.
Crystal-covered boots: So fun! I love a statement shoe, and these are such a cute way to add something unexpected to an outfit. Definitely a holiday "yes."
Red dresses: Always a "yes" for the holidays. Red is such a pretty color this time of year, and I love a cute minidress for a holiday party or night out.
Velvet suits: Velvet feels so classic and festive, but wearing it as a matching set makes it feel a little more modern. I think it's such a cool alternative to a traditional holiday dress.
PS: What made you say "yes" to being in Old Navy's holiday campaign this year?
CD: Old Navy is one of those brands that everybody recognizes, especially around the holidays. I've love throwing on a pair of Old Navy Jingle Jammies ever since I was young. I was so excited to be asked to participate in this campaign. It's so fun and nostalgic, and to be a part of the cast alongside Alan Cummings, Meg Stalter, Paris Hilton, True Whitaker, and Vidya Gopalan was a huge plus for me.
PS: Tell us about your experience on-set. Did it put you in the holiday spirit early, and did you make any fun memories with your costars?
CD: I had so much fun on set. It was such a Christmas vibe, and I was immediately in the holiday spirit. I loved seeing all the different looks from the collection, and I really loved the looks I wore. The music definitely got me in the holiday spirit early. Everyone was so nice, and we had such a fun time together. I normally do stuff like this alone, so having such sweet co-stars on set was a dream come true.
PS: What are your favorite styles from the collection?
CD: Some of my favorite pieces are the new denim. You just can't go wrong with a perfect-fitting jean and a bit of sparkle. I was aiming for festive, but still comfortable and cozy. Anything with sequins is always fun for this time of year. I'm always a big fan of cozy fleece pieces, because comfort is essential.
PS: What are some must-have pieces you always wear when traveling?
CD: I'm all about being comfortable when I travel, so a good pair of sweatpants, oversized hoodie, and comfortable sneakers are a must-have. I always pack my headphones, lip balm, electronics, and all my essentials in my carry-on.
— Additional reporting by Aaron Royce
Jessica C. Andrews (she/her) is an award-winning editor and writer who currently works as the senior style director of PS, overseeing beauty, fashion, shopping, and identity content. With more than 15 years of experience, her areas of expertise include fashion, shopping, and travel. Prior to joining PS, Jessica held senior roles at Teen Vogue, Refinery29, and Bustle and contributed to The New York Times, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Essence. She's appeared on "Good Morning America," NBC, and Fox 5 New York and spoken on various panels about fashion, hair, and Black culture.
Aaron Royce is a fashion contributor to Popsugar.
