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Christmas Party Dresses That Make You the Best Dressed Guest

Holiday parties mean lots of events with family and coworkers. You might have a dinner with the family on Friday, an office party next week, and a formal party a few days later. It gets pricey buying new outfits for all the events. And you don’t want to be fiddling with straps and hemming a dress all night.

It’s understandable that 45% of people have either skipped or would skip a work holiday party because of not having something appropriate to wear. For Gen Z, the number is 57%.

The perfect Christmas party dresses come down to three things. The first is the event. You want a dress that is appropriate for the event. The second is your style. You want to wear something that shows off your personal style and makes you feel pretty. And last is the fit. This is where your measurements come in. Once you know these, you can choose a color and fabric you love. From there, you can pick the right dress for your celebration.

Short Homecoming Halter Prom Dress - The Dress Outlet Eva Fashion

What Is Trending in Christmas Dresses This Season?

You don’t have to be dressed in bright red to look Christmas-ready. And there are many other colors and styles to choose from.

Winter party choices include burgundy, dark cherry, emerald green and navy. If you’re into a little sparkle, styles in gold, silver and sequins are worth checking out.

Each has its own use. Burgundy is a formal color, so it’s a good choice for formal dinners. Satin is a good choice for cocktail hour because it’s a smooth fabric. Sequins are a good choice for formal events because they’re made with fabrics that reflect light. Velvet is also a good choice for winter because it’s a thick fabric. When it comes to fabric choices, decide on a trend and stick to it. Don’t try to incorporate every detail into one look.

Here are the four most popular trends.

Sequin Dresses

For evenings out, sequin dresses are always a good choice. For more fun, more casual evenings, a shorter dress can work. A good rule of thumb for formal events is to wear a dress that is long enough to touch the ground.

When trying on sequin dresses, be sure to check the lining, because it can sometimes be rough. Rough linings can cause irritation. Because of the texture of the fabric, keep your accessories simple.

Velvet Dresses

A velvet dress can add a nice touch for the holidays. For more casual evenings, a midi dress can work. For formal evenings, a long dress is always a good choice.

Because velvet retains warmth, a dress with a short or sleeveless design would probably be a better choice for a large, indoor event.

Red and Burgundy Dresses

Red is commonly worn during the holidays. Bright reds are noticed the most. However, burgundy, wine reds, and dark cherries are nice alternatives to regular reds.

During a formal celebration, try a long red formal dress with simple metallic accessories. For less formal celebrations, you can still wear a red dress; just wear a midi or short red dress.

Satin Dresses

Satin is a good fabric for formal occasions. It has a good surface and works well for embellishments. It is also a good choice for those who do not like to wear heavy outfits.

Satin is smooth but clings to your body and will easily show creases. Make sure to check the fit of the waist and hips and look for natural lines in the fabric. 

Prom Short Strapless Fitted  Cocktail Dress R756 - The Dress Outlet

Fit Beats Price: Test Your Dress Before the Party

A fitted dress is the starting point. Accessories should complete the look without competing with it.

Shoes: Wear heels for a formal event, or dressy flats if you expect to stand for long periods.

Jewelry: The best way to decide on jewelry is to see what kind of neckline you have. If your dress already catches the light, don’t feel like you need to wear large jewelry as well. With large and bold jewelry, you should only wear one focal point.

Bag: A small purse can fit the essentials and won’t take away from your outfit. Metallic colors can work well with any color. A neutral color can also work well with your outfit.

Layers: With different venues, there can be a difference in temperatures. A fitted blazer can work well if you don’t want to take off a coat the moment you walk in. Just make sure it fits well.

Hair and small essentials: An updo shows off a detailed neckline or open back, while loose waves soften a structured dress. Keep fashion tape, a safety pin, and a lipstick in your bag to handle small problems before anyone notices.

Cocktail Dresses Homecoming Short Mini Cocktail Dress Red

Styling Your Dress for Different Events

Your dress can be worn to multiple events. Here are some quick swaps to help you wear a dress to multiple events.

  • Office Party: Go with a midi or knee-length satin or velvet dress. Add a blazer with some jewelry and closed-toe heels for the event.
  • Family Dinner: Go with something comfortable to sit and eat in. A velvet midi or a polished knit dress would work great.
  • Cocktail Party: Go with a satin midi dress, or a short sequin dress. Bring some statement earrings and a metallic clutch.
  • Formal Gala: Go with a Navy, Burgundy, or Emerald long gown. Add some nice jewelry and a stylish bun.

FAQs

How to Choose Christmas Party Dresses for Different Dress Codes

Check the invitation first. The dress code tells you how formal to go. If there isn't one, think about the venue, the time of day, and the type of celebration.

Party dress code

What to wear

Festive

Sequin, velvet, satin or metallic dresses in short, midi or maxi lengths

Smart casual

Simple midi dresses, knit styles or polished short dresses

Cocktail

Knee-length or midi party dresses with dressy shoes

Semi-formal

Elegant midi or long dresses with refined accessories

Black tie

Floor-length gowns and formal evening dresses


The venue plays a role as well. A short sequin dress is great for a party at a hotel, but a midi-length dress in velvet is more appropriate for a dinner with family.  

According to the latest Trend Report, 82% of employees said they will be going to their company’s holiday event. If you think you’ll be attending a couple of events this year, it’s a good idea to buy a dress that’s appropriate for more than one event.

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