In the midst of all the chaos—cooking, decorating, entertaining guests and running the dishwasher on an hourly basis—that is holiday season, shopping for clothes might be the last thing on your mind. You’ve got a lot on your plate. We get it. But last time you left getting dressed to the last minute, you wound up in a bit of a bind. So, we interviewed Sara Aplanalp, stylist and personal shopper at Fashion Island, for the lowdown on all the comfy-chic looks to shop this holiday season—plus a few more useful gift-giving tips.

COZY CHIC

When traveling during the holidays, what is the go-to airport look?

Polished and well-put-together! I love an oversized cashmere wrap or cape and stylish sneakers. And of course, a great oversized tote to hold all your essentials.

The perfect outfit for Thanksgiving dinner is: an Elie Tahari blouse and a satin, pleated midi skirt. This outfit exudes sophistication and is perfect for the holidays, particularly in a green colorway.

Name three stores in Fashion Island that offer options that are both comfortable and stylish.

Zadig & Voltaire, Vince and Joie.

What are the finishing accessories to polish a lounge outfit?

A few of my go-to accessories are scarves, delicate Gorjana jewelry, a great bag and diamond stud earrings.

HOLIDAY GLAM

What are the trends for holiday attire this year?

I love velvets, gorgeous shades of bordeaux and anything that sparkles and shines.

Which store in Fashion Island can someone find holiday cocktail attire?

Alice + Olivia and BCBG are stocked full of the perfect outfits for holiday dressing.

 One must-have accessory for this season is: a croc-embossed handbag or clutch. I love all the animal prints we’re seeing this season, and a handbag is a great way to incorporate this trend.

Designers who do holiday looks best are: St. John, Rebecca Taylor and Grayse.

Written By: Mariam Makatsaria