Hallmark Christmas movies have become an essential part of holiday celebrations, offering heartwarming stories and festive endings. These films transport viewers to wintry destinations with costumes that are both attainable and aspirational. Costume designer Keith Nielsen shares exclusive insights into how these magical wardrobes come to life, from sourcing clothes to handling summer shoots for winter scenes.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Perfect Wardrobe

The creation of costumes for Hallmark Christmas movies is a meticulous process. Unlike traditional studios, Hallmark does not maintain a centralized wardrobe warehouse. Instead, Nielsen relies on his personal storage unit to house essentials like tuxedos, jeans, and neutral outerwear. While he strives to reuse basic items, most pieces are too specialized for repurposing. This approach ensures each movie has a fresh, unique look without overwhelming storage needs.

Nielsen’s work extends beyond mere clothing selection; it involves tailoring each piece to fit actors perfectly. He believes in customizing garments to suit individual body types, ensuring everything looks polished on screen. His signature touch includes monochromatic gloves that match jackets, adding a classic Hallmark flair. Moreover, Nielsen incorporates at least one quintessentially American outfit in every film, often featuring brands like J.Crew and Brooks Brothers. This keeps the wardrobe timeless and relatable, avoiding dated trends.

From Summer Shoots to Winter Wonders: Adapting to Challenges

Filming during summer presents unique challenges for costume designers. To combat sweltering temperatures, Nielsen employs creative solutions such as ice vests and lightweight fabrics. For Holiday Touchdown, filmed in Kansas City’s summer heat, he modified jackets by removing stuffing and had actors put coats on just before filming. On the other hand, shooting in colder locations like Iceland required heated vests to keep actors warm during chilly nights.

Beyond weather adaptations, Nielsen also ensures that costumes subtly reference previous films. A standout example is reusing a 1950s coat from Holiday Spectacular in The Christmas Quest. Additionally, he included a J.Crew coat popularized by Meghan Markle in Next Stop, Christmas, later using a similar version in Where Are You, Christmas? Such Easter eggs add depth and continuity to the Hallmark universe. After filming wraps, many costumes find new homes through donations or purchases by actors, ensuring these iconic pieces live on beyond the screen.