While we may not determine whether art-imitates-life this season, we’ll certainly vouch for imitating the best looks from our favourite examples of cinematic holiday art this time of year. We’ve gleaned the signature looks from beloved holiday films (when we say leg lamp, you say —) and top winter 2012 accessories for showing solidarity with those memorable characters—even that dad from A Christmas Story.

Holiday film: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001; and 2004, of course)

Why we love it: Because no one makes us feel better about our bodies, our jobs, ourselves than “wanton sex goddess” Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger). And yet she still had the likes of Hugh Grant and Colin Firth dueling over her. On second thought…

The inspiration: It’s quite likely that only the charming Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) can look handsomely dapper in a black turtleneck reindeer sweater.

Winter 2012 runway look: Schoolgirl-chic oversized sweaters at Marc by Marc Jacobs; warm and fuzzy and totally huggable turtlenecks at Oscar de la Renta.

HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-TRY: In the likes of our sweater-rocking icon, Bill Cosby, a Topshop knitted Xmas Polar Bear Jumper ($79), at topshop.com.

Holiday film: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Why we love it: Could there be anything more cinematically perfect and timeless than Frank Capra’s ever-magical and tear-inducing Christmas Eve staple? Plus humanity is collectively better for the knowledge of how angels get their wings.

The inspiration: George Bailey’s romantic notion of a lifelong traveller who carries his life around in a second-hand traveller’s trunk.

Winter 2012 runway look: Fly-by-night train car traveller mystique at Louis Vuitton; paper boy-inspired look and delivery bag at Burberry Prorsum.

HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-TRY: Salvatore Ferragamo Brown Alligator Trolley, $18,900, at Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques.

Holiday film: Serendipity (2001)

Why we love it: For sparking the idea that we are looking for love in all the right places— New York over the holidays, Bloomingdale’s, Serendipity 3—and fostering our teenage crush into a full-blown love affair with a grown-up John Cusack.

The inspiration: Back to where it started—the scene where Cusack’s Jonathan meets and simultaneously falls for Sara (Kate Beckinsale) while reaching for the same pair of black cashmere gloves at Bloomingdale’s.

Winter 2012 runway look: All-powerful biker-inspired gants at Jason Wu; coral leather opera-length gloves at Lanvin.

HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-TRY: Mango polka dot gloves ($60), at mango.com.

Winter 2012 holiday fashion: Top 10 oversized coats to covet this season

Read on to the next page for more Winter 2012 holiday fashion from our fave festive films…

Holiday film: Love Actually (2003)

Why we love it: Because of all the sappy, melodramatic love plotlines that emerge onscreen during the holidays, nothing beats having eight of them in one Christmas in London. And because we’ll never get enough of seeing Hugh Grant/Colin Firth on one screen.

The inspiration: As the adorably awkward secretary to Hugh Grant’s adorably awkward Prime Minister, Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) charms us with her self-deprecating humour, side bangs and
ladylike pencil skirts.

Winter 2012 runway look: Grunge-influenced, skin-hugging
leather skirts at Charlotte Ronson; knee-length slit velvet skirts at Salvatore Ferragamo.

HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-TRY: BCBGENERATION seamless pencil skirt in grape ($58), at bcbg.com.

Holiday film: A Christmas Story (1983)

Why we love it: Because despite the hard lessons (mall Santas aren’t all that jolly and avoid dares that involve licking an icy flag pole), we learned that if
we want something bad enough, the holidays are the one time of year our parents may go against their better judgment and come through for us Christmas morning. And for giving us that tireless one-liner: “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”

The inspiration: The iconic leg lamp Ralphie’s father proudly wins and displays in his front room window. If you’ve got it, flaunt it?

Winter 2012 runway look: A mix of sheer and coloured leggings at Rebecca Taylor; timelessly chic opaque black tights at 3.1 Phillip Lim.

HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-TRY: H&M cotton jersey leggings in black and grey ($9.95), at hm.com.

Holiday film: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Why we love it: We’ll never tire of Dr. Seuss’s modern parable of holiday greed and Jim Carey’s animated inflection of grinchiness to the cuddly cactus. Oh, and for making us mourn the younger, innocent days of Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who.

The inspiration: Timely and festive, anything green goes.

Winter 2012 runway look: A
military green wool cape for
warrior women at Jason Wu; a boxy chartreuse wool coat at Narciso Rodriguez.

HOLIDAY FASHION MUST-TRY: Joe Fresh colour block crew neck sweater ($49), at joefresh.com.

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How to wear film noir fashion this winter
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