Introduction
The holiday party season is here - are you ready to look your festive best? With invitations rolling in, it's time to start planning outfits that are both stylish and seasonally appropriate. But the dress code can be confusing, and nailing the perfect party look causes anxiety for many. Never fear - we've scoured the latest trends and asked real women for advice to help you rock any holiday bash with panache. In this post, we'll cover the holiday party dress codes, chic ideas to try, and hot trends, so you can party in style. Let's get this holiday season started in fashion!
Black Tie Event Outfits
The black tie dress code is the strictest and most formal. For women, this calls for a long evening gown in luxurious fabrics like velvet, satin, or chiffon (Vogue). Floor-length gowns are a must, preferably with formal accents like a train or low-cut back.
Statement jewelry like chandelier earrings, a tennis bracelet, or an embellished clutch are the perfect accessories. Avoid asking too casual by skipping the jewelry. Finish the look with your hair in an elegant updo and bold lips if desired (WhoWhatWear). The overall look should be glamorous and pulled together from head to toe.
Formal Event Outfits
For formal events like black tie galas or formal weddings, cocktail dresses or long evening gowns are usually the standard attire for women (source). Darker colors like black, navy, or jewel tones are recommended for a sophisticated look. Simple accessories like diamond stud earrings and a clutch are best for keeping the outfit formal without overdoing it. Floor-length evening gowns are another great option for formal events, ideally in luxurious fabrics like satin or chiffon. Just stick to understated jewelry and hairstyles if choosing a bold dress.
Men should opt for a classic black tuxedo with bow tie for black tie formal events (source). Dark suits also work well for formal occasions as long as they are paired with dress shoes, ties, and formal accessories. The focus should be on looking polished from head to toe when dressing for a formal event.
Cocktail Attire
Cocktail attire is a dress code that calls for more polished attire than business casual, but is less formal than black tie or formal events. According to The Ultimate Guide to Cocktail Attire (https://www.thecut.com/article/cocktail-attire-for-women.html), cocktail attire allows women to wear anything from sleek trousers or a flowy skirt paired with a chic blazer or silk blouse.
Some key elements of cocktail attire for women are:
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Knee-length cocktail dress
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Heels- no stilettos
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Statement necklace
A cocktail dress hitting at or just above the knees is always appropriate. Go for something chic like a wrap dress, A-line dress or fit-and-flare style. Pair it with heels or wedges no higher than 3 inches for a put-together yet comfortable look. Add a statement necklace or sparkly earrings to dress up the ensemble.
Other options besides a dress include pairing dress pants or a skirt with a blouse, or a jumpsuit. The key is finding pieces in elevated fabrics and silhouettes. Stay away from over-the-top prints or embellishments, and opt for sleek and sophisticated.
Semi-Formal Outfits
Semi-formal attire strikes a balance of dressy yet comfortable for holiday parties and events. You can still stand out and make a stylish statement while abiding by the modest semi-formal dress code. Here are some chic semi-formal holiday outfit ideas for women.
A short, shimmery or velvet party dress is a go-to for semi-formal holidays bashes. Pair with sparkling statement accessories like chandelier earrings and a clutch purse. Stay warm with a faux fur shawl or cropped jacket. Finish the semi-formal look with metallic or velvet heels.
For a semi-formal take on separates, go for dark jeans with a silky camisole or sequined tank tucked in. Add some edge with a faux or real leather moto jacket. Don't forget flashy cocktail rings, dangly earrings and strappy heels to polish off the look.
While more casual accents like jeans are allowed for semi-formal attire, you can still opt for a head to toe dressy look. Try wide leg pants with a ruffled blouse, or a satin midi skirt with an embellished sweater. Just amp up the glam and jewelry factor. Keep makeup and hair elegantly styled for a semi-formal holiday event.
Smart Casual Style
Smart casual is a relaxed yet polished dress code that's perfect for many holiday parties. The key is looking put together while still being comfortable.
For smart casual, stay away from sneakers or super short skirts. Instead, opt for dark jeans or trousers paired with a nice blouse or sweater. Blazers instantly elevate a smart casual look. Some chic smart casual holiday outfit ideas include:
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A blazer styled over a dressy top and dark jeans
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A sweater dress worn with over-the-knee boots
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Slouchy wool trousers with a silky camisole and blazer
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A midi skirt with a button-down and booties
The key is blending tailoring and comfortable fabrics. Stay polished but not too formal. Metallic or sequin accents and festive jewelry like statement earrings also lend a celebratory vibe. With the right smart casual pieces, you'll look fashionable and pulled together for your next holiday bash.
Ugly Sweater Party
The ugly sweater party is a chance to get creative and fun with your holiday style. Dig out the most outrageous, kitschy sweater you own - the uglier the better! Pair it with jeans, a skirt, or leggings for a casual-cool look. Then pile on the fun accessories like reindeer antlers, jingle bell necklaces, and festive socks.
Some ideas for putting together an ugly sweater outfit:
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Pair an oversized Fair Isle knit sweater covered in reindeer and snowflakes with dark wash skinny jeans and brown riding boots.
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Try a bright red sweater with a giant Santa face on it, with a pleated tartan mini skirt and black tights.
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Go for an all-over snowman motif sweater and add a furry Santa hat plus red and white striped leggings.
The ugly sweater party is the perfect opportunity to let your inner holidays run wild. Pile on the Christmas kitsch and have fun with the wackiest sweater you can find!
Velvet Trend
Velvet is having a major moment this holiday season. The rich, luxurious fabric instantly elevates any holiday party outfit. For your next festive event, consider wearing velvet in the form of a skirt, pants, or dress. Jewel-toned velvets in emerald, sapphire, or ruby make a vibrant statement. Or opt for classic black velvet for an elegant look. Velvet pairs perfectly with metallic accents - try a sequined top with velvet pants, or metallic heels with a velvet skirt. Look for velvet pieces with interesting details like ruching, bell sleeves, or lace trim to take your outfit to the next level.
Here are some chic velvet outfit ideas for your next holiday bash:
- Deep green velvet midi skirt + black off-the-shoulder top + gold heels
- Burgundy velvet wrap dress + diamond drop earrings
- Navy wide-leg velvet jumpsuit + metallic clutch
- Black velvet pants + silky cami + blazer + statement necklace
Velvet makes a bold style statement for holiday parties. Choose rich colors and pair with metallic accents for a fashion-forward festive look.
Sequins and Metallics
A touch of shimmer and shine is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit for your next festive event. Metallic and sequin accents are huge this season. But be careful not to go overboard into disco fever territory. The key is incorporating these glitzy touches in moderation.
Opt for a sequin skirt paired with a solid black turtleneck. This balances the shine on bottom with a muted top. Or try an all black outfit with metallic shoes or bag for a subtle dose of sparkle. Stay away from head-to-toe sequins, which can look overdone. Just a skirt, top or accessory piece is plenty to give your look a festive flair.
Some chic sequin and metallic pieces to try are:
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A sequin pencil skirt with a black sweater and booties
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A metallic clutch with an LBD
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Sequin ankle boots under a velvet dress
Keep the rest of your accessories minimal when sporting sequins. Opt for statement earrings or a pendant necklace. And let your makeup, like a bold red lip, provide the wow factor to balance the sparkle. With just the right amount of shine, you'll light up any holiday soirée in style.
Conclusion
All the holiday party outfit ideas above have one common thread - versatility. The LBD, sequin skirt, white jumpsuit, and plaid pencil skirt can all be dressed up or down for any festive event. Focus on timeless pieces and quality fabrics that you can wear year after year.
No holiday look is complete without the right accessories. Statement earrings, bold lip colors, designer heels, and chic clutches take your outfit from basic to fabulous. As this article shows, it's often the accessories that really make an outfit pop.
When in doubt, opt for classic styles in festive hues like red, gold, or silver. But most importantly, have fun with your holiday party style! 'Tis the season to dress up and celebrate in your most stylish look. This time of year is meant to be joyful - sprinkle that holiday magic on every outfit and event!
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