Holiday party dresses for dinners, cocktail invitations and formal evenings, from soft silk midis to velvet minis and metallic lace.
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Photo credit: Shopping and Info
My photo of the blue-lit trees in Vail makes me think about dressing for a holiday evening away. I would pack a dress that works for the invitation, then plan a warm coat for the walk to dinner.
Choose holiday party dresses by the invitation
For a work dinner, start with the venue and how the team usually dresses. A midi, sleeves or a jacket can be easier than a low neckline or a very short hem. Cocktail leaves room for a mini, a dressy midi and shine. For black tie, choose a formal evening outfit; ask the host when the wording is unclear.
DÔEN Rowan Noir Dot dress Shop here
Photo credit: DÔENReformation Maripaz Topiary green silk halter midi Shop here
Photo credit: ReformationRebecca Vallance Martha black velvet mini Shop here
Photo credit: Rebecca VallanceDÔEN Edie Antique Gold dress Shop here
Photo credit: DÔEN
Similar: SIMKHAI Virette Metallic Jacquard Column Dress in Blue Shop here
Photo credit: SIMKHAI
Black flocked-dot cotton dress: DÔEN Rowan
DÔEN: black flocked-dot cotton dress. Choose the Rowan for a holiday dinner at home rather than a black-tie invitation. Cotton voile, short puff sleeves and a lace-trimmed square neckline make it the quieter option beside satin and sequins. Shop here
Green silk halter midi: Reformation Maripaz
Reformation: green silk halter midi dress. Topiary-green silk charmeuse is the focus here. A halter tie and scoop back suit an evening invitation; I would keep the jewelry spare and choose a long coat. Shop here
Black velvet mini with lace waist: Rebecca Vallance Martha
Rebecca Vallance: black velvet mini with a lace waist. Martha makes a short dress feel more dressed up through puff sleeves, shoulder pads and a bow at the waist. The lace waist is semi-sheer, so decide whether that coverage suits the invitation rather than assuming the high neckline means full coverage. Shop here
Antique-gold metallic lace dress: DÔEN Edie
DÔEN: antique-gold metallic lace dress. Edie brings warm metallic lace to the evening edit. I would keep the shoes and bag simple and let the gold finish carry the outfit for a holiday dinner or party. Shop here
Brown long-sleeve satin midi: Loulou de Saison Fabio
Loulou de Saison: brown draped satin midi dress. Long sleeves, a draped neck and a gathered waist make Fabio the choice when you want coverage without a jacket. Brown satin gives the evening a warmer color than black; a small bag is enough. Shop here
Sapphire lace-trimmed silk dress: DÔEN Valline
DÔEN: blue lace-trimmed silk dress. The fitted waist and sweetheart neckline give Valline a more defined shape than a simple slip. Cream lace and petite cap sleeves provide the detail for a dinner invitation without sequins. Shop here
Red halter wrap midi with tie waist: Flabelus Ruby Gale
Flabelus: red halter wrap midi dress. This is the red dress for a dinner that might turn into dancing. The notched halter collar, wrap front and tie waist keep it polished, and the sheer layered hem moves when you walk in. Shop here
Loulou de Saison Fabio brown draped satin midi Shop here
Photo credit: Loulou de SaisonEtro floral drop earrings Shop here
Photo credit: EtroRetrofête Jackson teal velvet mini Shop here
Photo credit: Retrofête
Velvet and color for a cocktail invitation
Bardot Helene burgundy sequin velvet mini Shop here
Photo credit: BardotFlabelus Ruby Gale red halter wrap dress Shop here
Photo credit: FlabelusSimilar style: STAUD Albee black feather-trimmed mini Shop here Photo credit: STAUD
Similar style: black feather-trimmed silk mini by STAUD
STAUD: black silk organza mini dress with a feather hem. Albee is a sheer, sleeveless mini with a mock neck and an optional slip. I would choose it for a cocktail invitation rather than a work dinner, and let the feather hem be the detail instead of adding statement jewelry. The silk organza has no stretch; check the measurements and try the slip with the underlayers you plan to wear. Shop here
Teal long-sleeve velvet mini: Retrofête Jackson
Retrofête: teal velvet mini with an ochre sash. The short hem and long sleeves balance each other; the trailing, fringed sash is the extra detail. Keep the shoes plain so the sash can stay the focus. Shop here
Burgundy sequin-velvet mini: Bardot Helene
Bardot: burgundy sequin-velvet mini dress. This is the short, strapless choice for a cocktail invitation. Sequins supply the shine and a lightly structured bodice gives the shape; the hem makes it a different proposition from a formal gown. Shop here
Blue metallic jacquard column dress: SIMKHAI Virette
SIMKHAI: blue metallic jacquard column dress. This is a similar pick for the formal end of the guide, a slim midi with a square neckline and wide straps. The navy ground with gold-toned metallic pattern gives it the shine, so I would keep jewelry simple and add a black wrap. Shop here
Pearl-toned drawstring evening bag: Lizzie Fortunato Gala Bag
Lizzie Fortunato: pearl-toned drawstring evening bag. A small pouch covered in shimmering discs is enough shine for a plain dress, so I would carry it with something simple and keep the jewelry quiet. Shop here
Lizzie Fortunato Gala Bag in Pearl Shop here
Photo credit: Lizzie Fortunato
Sequins, shimmer and a formal evening dress
Isabel Marant Nevana Silver sequin tulle midi Shop here
Photo credit: Isabel MarantFleur du Mal Agnes Midnight Navy shimmer midi Shop here
Photo credit: Fleur du MalSolace London Kira red one-shoulder satin maxi Shop here
Photo credit: Solace LondonSIMKHAI Delore black ribbon-trimmed bustier gown Shop here
Photo credit: SIMKHAI
Silver sequin tulle midi: Isabel Marant Nevana
Isabel Marant: silver sequin tulle midi dress. A column shape, V-neck and adjustable straps keep the dress simple beneath the sequins. Notice the sheer tulle hem in the gallery; leave the shoes and bag quieter. Shop here
Navy ruched shimmer midi: Fleur du Mal Agnes
Fleur du Mal: navy ruched shimmer midi dress. Agnes gives you evening shine without the all-over sequin look. Ruching brings detail to the slim shape; choose a simple bag and try the dress with the underlayer you plan to wear. Shop here
Red one-shoulder satin maxi: Solace London Kira
Solace London: red one-shoulder satin maxi dress. The one-shoulder draped bodice and column skirt make Kira the clear statement for a formal evening. A high slit brings movement, while the satin has no stretch; compare the measurements rather than relying on the photograph for fit. Shop here
Black ribbon-trimmed gown: SIMKHAI Delore
SIMKHAI: black ribbon-trimmed bustier gown. Contrast ribbon bands give this gown a graphic line. The boned V-neck bustier and back slit make it the more structured option for a formal invitation; keep jewelry spare. Shop here
Jenni Kayne: black lace-trimmed slip dress. Austen is the quiet layering piece for smaller gatherings. I would wear it with a cardigan for dinner at home or a long coat for going out, rather than add several sparkling accessories. Shop here
Navy nylon blazer for an evening layer: Tibi Liam
Tibi: navy nylon blazer. Use Liam when you want a tailored layer rather than another coat. Try it with the dress before the event so the jacket hem and skirt work together; a blazer does not make every dress an office-party outfit. Shop here
A holiday outfit when you don’t want a dress
If a dress is not your holiday style, try these gold foil metallic wide-leg ankle jeans. The metallic gold coating makes a simple top feel dressed up, and the high rise and wide-leg ankle shape keep the look relaxed. They have a button and zip front. I would pair them with a black top and a tailored blazer.
Try the dress, shoes and outer layer together before the event. A long coat is often easier over a midi or gown; a shorter jacket needs enough room for the waist and skirt. For a winter mini, try tights and the exact shoes you intend to wear. A dressy flat can be as useful as a heel for a long evening.
What should I wear to a holiday dinner?
A silk or satin midi is an easy starting point. Choose sleeves or an outer layer for the journey, then let one detail carry the outfit: the fabric, a neckline or one piece of jewelry.
Are sequins right for a work holiday party?
It depends on the venue and how the team usually dresses. Velvet or satin with one sparkly accessory can be the quieter choice for an office dinner. Save the short sequin dress for an invitation that suits it.
Should I choose a mini or a gown?
Let the invitation decide. Cocktail leaves room for a mini or a dressed-up midi. Black tie calls for a more formal evening outfit. A photograph cannot establish fit: a short hem is not a petite cut, and a size 16 listing is not a full plus-size range.
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