It’s November, and for some parts of the world that has meant a change in weather. At my college, we are experiencing some early snow! One of the best things about this kind of weather is the opportunity to break out your cute new winter clothes. Another great thing about the season? Dressing up for holiday parties!
Lots of holiday party invites but nothing to wear? Or just not sure what to wear to a holiday party? Don’t worry, CF has you covered. Here are some tips on how to dress for a holiday party, with some stylish party looks you won’t see on every other girl at the party.
These outfits are affordable but will be even better for your wallet if you can make them yourself using items you already have. Translation: You don’t have to go out and buy everything I recommend here to have amazing holiday style! Let my examples inspire you to make your own.
{RELATED POST: 5 Must-Have Holiday Party Outfits That Are Actually Affordable}
Read on to learn exactly what to wear to your next holiday party!
Table of Contents
What to Wear to a Holiday Party – Outfit 1:
Products: Blouse – ASOS, Dress – Nordstrom Rack, Tights – Modcloth, Headband – Anthropologie, Shoes – Modcloth
A warm apple cider red is a classic color to base your holiday party looks around. Here, I’ve mixed a few different shades of red with a camel brown for a perfect seasonal look that’s balanced and never over the top.
For a fun party outfit that makes a statement, layer the blouse under this short dress for an unexpected look. Add grey tights, fun red heels, and a trendy pearl headband.
What to Wear to a Holiday Party – Outfit 2:
Products: Sweater – ASOS, Skirt – Nordstrom Rack, Purse – H&M, Tights – H&M, Earrings – ASOS, Boots – H&M
Holiday party clothes don’t need to be red and green – that’s so cliche! This look is sophisticated, girly, and fun at the same time, all while incorporating some less traditional holiday colors.
Overall, this outfit is packed with trends, but still looks classic. The orange skirt and boots are very on-trend this season, while the white sweater is cozy and classic. A leopard bag keeps the color scheme while adding a fun print. Tights keep the outfit weather-ready, and earrings finish the look.
What to Wear to a Holiday Party – Outfit 3:
Products: Jumpsuit – H&M, Headband – BaubleBar, Earrings – BaubleBar, Shoes – ASOS
Creamy whites and pinks are another fun change from typical seasonal color palettes. They look great on just about everyone and will be sure to turn heads at your next party.
A monochrome white jumpsuit makes a great base for building the outfit. A trendy braided headband, statement heart earrings, and bow shoes are playful additions that add personality to the look. You could definitely swap in a high heel pump if you were going to a more upscale event — up to you!
What to Wear to a Holiday Party – Outfit 4:
Products: Jacket – Forever 21, Top – ASOS, Skirt – Nordstrom Rack, Hair Clip – BaubleBar, Bag – H&M, Shoes – ASOS
This look would be great for a more casual holiday party, and it’s perfect for those of you who live in warmer climates.
The top and skirt are neutral and on trend (tone on tone looks are big this year), while the white faux fur jacket and pearl barrette give the look those holiday feels. A purse and flats complete the outfit.
What do you think of our guide to what to wear to a holiday party?
For more holiday party outfit ideas, be sure to see our guide to holiday party outfits with jeans.
What do you usually wear to holiday parties? What are you planning to wear this year? We want to see all of your party outfit ideas. Answer by leaving a comment or tagging us on Instagram. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2008; it was completely revamped in 2019 with updated items and tips.
I really love each one! The LBD is always the way to go when you’re not sure or you’re meeting new people/an older crowd. On outfit two, I definitely will wear something like this to a really casual Christmas gathering! On the third, I absolutely love the dress. A good one for a party, or even an interview/business day. Very girly, nostalgic, and beautiful. The fourth, a definitely for visiting my family and friends in Charleston, SC. At my mom and aunt’s annual Christmas party, we throw a party by the pool and out onto our docks and boats. The fourth outfit is perfect for surviving the heat–its 79 degrees here right now! –and still looking Christmas-y. Plus, something about it has a little girl edge to it, which I’m sure makes my dad and brothers happy. 🙂 Great outfits!!
I love, love, love the fuchsia-colored peep toe pumps. And it’s absolutely cheap too. It will be an eye candy especially when you do wear it with a grey-black themed ensemble. The Top Shop peep toes is an adorable footwear! It’s both classy and elegant. It’s way out of my budget but I wouldn’t mind investing on it. It will go with a lot of evening wear ensembles.
I work as a visual merchandiser at F21 and we recently had to wear all black to work… something I do not like to do. I came up with an outift very similar to this (dress is from F21 and sooo pretty) and figured it could also work very well for a Holiday get together with friends. Let me know what you think!
Winter Wonderland by Juno89
((Hope this works!!)
I’m not sure if this will work in the comments, but I made this polyvore: loosely based on what I wore to my Christmas Party for work (I’m a receptionist for a fairly large company). Only the skirt is the same as the one I had…the top is the same color and material, but mine didn’t have the belt, and buttoned up…so I wore a gold leopard print vintage belt I already own with it… and these shoes: http://www.myspringshoes.com/ca-eng/women/shoes/dress/68988844-trena
Work Party by CleverNapkins
I guess I was “Girly and Fun” at my christmas party. Um, I was the only one that was really dressed up. : / Thank god, hours before I wanted to buy a dress and it would have been out of place.
I wore a shiny red bolero over a fringy (1920s flapper fringe) top, wore a wide tan/brown belt around it, my denim pencil skirt, black tights, my “Waldorf” sequined houndstooth pumps from Oh deer shoes (http://www.amazon.com/Deer-Womens-Waldorf-Pump-Bandana/dp/B0015SFI7G/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1229835061&sr=1-13) and my black knit beret.
Usually, I just wear a dress with stockings or a nice shirt with jeans paired with flats. I’d like to try something new this year. I love the pencil skirt trend, and I’ll most likely wear something similar to number 3.
I’ll sport a white blouse with a black pencil skirt as my base, then i’ll wear patterened stockings to spice it up. Next, heels that add a random pop of color, and a few strings of necklaces.
i’m a big fan of LBD’s for holiday parties accessorized in different ways. It’s amazing how different they can look with a top over it or a statement making necklace:)
Great tips, thanks!
All three outfits are so cute! They are put together and have a great feel to them. Definitely inspired me to create some new rockin’ outfits from my very own closet! I am a new-found fan of Polyvore. Their site is amazing and I’m so glad you mentioned it! It is such an easy way to put some slammin’ outfits together with the click of a mouse.
Great article =)
I love the first two, and the shoes from the last one! So cute! I usually wear something similar to the first one for holiday parties, like a little black dress, eyecatching jewelry (but not too much), sometimes tights, and red shoes. I love red shoes. I’ve found they are a great way to add a little bit of holiday festivity to your look without going all out red, green or white.
love the third one fits my personality perfectly classic and sexy with a youthful twist
i know xmas is over but im tottally loving the 2nd one.
since its summer in my are, ill be rocking out in floral dresses!!! or ill team a tiered skirt with a nice blouse and jeweled sandals
i LOVE when you make outfits!! more please!! i like the second outfit, but would love to see more dress combinations!
love the outfits! this site has some great tee shirts and are always adding more every day. i hear they are doing to start adding designs that have a vintage look and feel – retro 60s and 70s look. i bought some as gifts.
totally love the retro-chic-outfit! it’s great how you pair classic looks with this special pop of color. really really love your articles 🙂