Women’s Festive Attire
The question looms large around holiday season: What to wear to a “festive attire” occasion? Since it’s the 21st century, you can interpret this mandate pretty loosely (hint: it includes cocktail dresses). We suggest adhering to one of three categories (but not all three):
Rich color or fabric – a silk or satin in a jewel tone or winter bright
Volume somewhere – a ruffle, full skirt, or structured shoulder
Sparkle – sequins, embellishment, metallic fabric…or big jewelry.
All of the options below will be appropriate, none embarrassing.
For more top party-wear picks, check out our guides to cocktail dresses, black dresses, and party shoes.
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Holiday Party Dresses
We like these pretty options that aren’t too overdressed or too underdressed.
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| Max & Cleo Metallic Jacquard Dress $138 With bare shoulders and a standout pair of earrings or ring, this understated dress is cocktail party perfection. |
Donna Ricco Taffeta Halter Dress $168 The chic, cool-girl version of your aunt’s hideous (but festive!) holiday sweater. |
Rebecca Taylor Chained Dress $395 Embellishment and ruffles make it right for evening, but with a black blazer and tights, you could even wear this dress to the office. |
Party Tops
Black pants or a skirt will make these blouses cocktail-party appropriate, but you can wear them with jeans, too.
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| 7 For All Mankind Silk Charmeuse Top $169 The deep wine color and gathered shoulder detail are both different and eye-catching. |
French Connection Raindrop Sequin Top $188 White sequins and a drape-y tee shape are tasteful enough to wear with a miniskirt, but fancy enough to wear to your office Christmas party. |
Diane von Furstenberg Caboney Top $265 We’d wear this with really skinny or (tucked in with) really wide-leg pants, plus a huge cuff bracelet or cocktail ring. |
Festive Skirts
These skirts are plenty festive with even a plain silk tee and simple jewelry.
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| Kimchi Blue Tulle Skirt $48 A girly shape (kind of like a tutu, but not at all a tutu) is sophisticated but fun in muted gray. |
Myne Carrie Skirt $198 We absolutely love this classy bright blue – you can wear all black with it, and still look holiday-spirited. |
Tory Burch Sequin Skirt $395 Many of the sequin skirts we’ve seen are too short and/or too tight, but this one has just the right amount of fabric and draping. |
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