We have officially entered the holiday season! You all loved my posts on Thanksgiving Day outfits and skirt outfit ideas for fall and winter, so I thought it would be fun to chat about what to wear to the holiday celebration. I already have a few get-togethers on my calendar – from casual to black tie – and I can’t wait! Today, I’m sharing some tips and tricks for festive dressing and highlighting some of the Christmas party looks I’ve been eyeing on this season’s event calendar.
How to create an attractive look for a Christmas party
Before we delve into my current favorite looks, I wanted to share a little guidance on holiday attire. During the winter months, it can be difficult to balance staying warm while looking stylish. Here are some tips and tricks I like to keep in mind throughout the holiday season.
1. Consider layering
Let’s get straight into the biggest challenge: finding an outfit that feels put together and feminine, yet still keeps you warm. Key? Layers! And thankfully, there are plenty of cute layering options out there. Try wearing a tissue turtleneck under an open-neck or strapless dress, or style tall boots with thick tights or long socks. These are just two examples of the many combinations you can create.
And contrary to what you might think, the layered Christmas party look doesn’t have to be heavy or awkward. Here, here, here and here are some past examples of layered dressing that I’ve loved – you can easily create holiday magic with any of these combinations!
2. Traditional…with a twist
Don’t get me wrong—I love the timeless tartan or traditional black velvet Christmas party look. You really can’t go wrong with the classics! But don’t be afraid to give things a fun twist. Try mixing it up by mixing mint with red or hunter green with light blue. Another combo I love is light pink and maroon, as seen in this look. And I guess another great holiday color that doesn’t get enough love? Head to toe winter white!
3. Play with texture
One thing I love about fall and winter dressing is all the rich fabrications you can mix and match. Velvet, tulle, faux fur, mohair, satin – the combinations are endless! In my opinion, mixing and matching materials adds a lot of depth and interest to any outfit.
Christmas party looking for every kind of celebration
Okay, now on to the best part…let’s take a look at some holiday outfits for every type of gathering! It’s important to take into account the type of event when planning your look, as you’ll want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately. For that reason, I’m breaking things down into three main occasions: cocktail parties, black-tie affairs, and casual holiday get-togethers. Here are some festive, fabulous outfit ideas for every type of celebration!
Christmas Cocktail Party Outfit
Cocktail parties may be the most common type of holiday celebration. This is always the time when I get the most DMs this time of year! I love that cocktail events give you a chance to really have fun and play with your Christmas party look. Long dresses, minis, even pants – you get to dress with the freedom to add tons of personality to your outfit!
A Classic Holiday Dress
For a classic cocktail party look, I’d go with this long sleeve tartan dress, black tights, feather pumps, and a fun clutch! The clutch and shoes would work beautifully in black or maroon. And if you need a little more warmth, simply layer a turtleneck underneath or add a faux fur shawl on top.
holiday pant dress
Want something different? This charming burgundy blazer paired with black velvet pants and these statement earrings (which match perfectly!) will create a fun Christmas party look. And if the blazer isn’t warm enough, you can simply throw a big black coat over your shoulders.
a feminine christmas dress
If you’re looking for a sweet, feminine look (and an outfit that won’t break the bank!), I love this elegant pleated midi skirt paired with this cute fringe top. To complete the look, add a little sparkle with these festive earrings.
winter gala outfits
Okay, let’s talk about the black-tie Christmas party look—one of my favorite occasions. I enjoy finding the perfect outfit and accessories for festive events. You can see some past footage here, here and here. Two of my favorite places to shop for formal dresses are The RealReal and ASOS.
Christmas Party Look from The RealReal
The RealReal has a ton of gems, and think about it—most women only wear a black-tie gown once or twice, right? For this reason, most of the formal dresses I find at TRR are in good condition. I’ve actually been browsing the site a lot lately for an event coming up in two weeks. I’m currently deciding between this blue stunner and this gold dress which is definitely $$$, but I fell in love with it instantly. Some others that caught my attention are this, this, this, and this!
I know some people are hesitant to purchase TRR because they believe everything is final sale, but that’s not true! Most items—outside of bags and sale pieces—are returnable. Simply check the shipping and return policy listed on each piece. I also love that after wearing an item I can sell it back to TRR. I usually get back about 70% of what I paid, which sounds like a win! For more information, I highly recommend checking out my post covering tips and tricks for shopping on The RealReal.
Formal holiday dresses from ASOS
Another great place to shop for holiday gowns is ASOS. I think many of their styles are well made for the price. My favorite ASOS brand to shop is their exclusive ARANGE label, but I’ve found some other great brands on the site too. Some of my current picks for a black-tie Christmas party look include this dress, this under $100 option, and this chartreuse beauty!
Comfy, Casual Christmas Outfits
This time of year, there are a lot of festive get-togethers that go wrong – like exchanging girls’ gifts or swapping cookies with a neighbor. For these events, I try to be comfortable while still wearing festive attire.
denim christmas party look
If you’re choosing to wear denim, this beautiful top paired with these casual jeans and these flats will make a great outfit for the holidays. You can complete it with these attractive black earrings. Personally, I think this dress strikes the perfect balance of comfort and a touch of sophistication.
Non-Denim Holiday Outfit
For a non-denim option, I’d go with my favorite kick-flare sweater pant in navy. They’re actually so comfortable they feel like pajamas! You can style these with a festive sweater and these classic red ballet flats. I think this would be a very cute and comfortable holiday dress. Another option is to change the color palette and choose similar pants in brown. They’d look great with this sweater and these chunky loafers for a fun little twist!
How to Wear Accessories to Your Christmas Party
I could talk about accessories all day long—but I think especially during the holiday season, they can really Make Organization. I’m a huge fan of everything Jennifer Behr does for the holiday season. These stunning statement earrings are my current fave. I equally love Saint Laurent jewelry during the holidays. I mean…how incredible are these earrings?!
I also love adding sparkle to my wrists and neckline during the Christmas season. For this, I head straight to Dorsey – be sure to check out my Dorsey Jewelry review for my favorite pieces!
2025 Christmas Party Look
Whether you’re getting ready for a winter celebration or a casual holiday gathering with friends, I hope these Christmas party looks will help you create an outfit that feels cute, comfortable, and festive!
For additional winter outfit ideas, visit these posts:
