Categories Fashion

ELLE’s Festive Attire Guide: 14 Looks for Any Dress Code

Estimated read time3 min read

With the holiday season come countless opportunities to earn the title of the best-dressed guest. To help you nail every occasion, we’ve put together 14 chic holiday party outfits so you don’t have to.

Whether you’re headed to a not-so-ugly sweater party in the office, a cozy family gathering, or a formal New Year’s Eve party, you’ll find something here that suits the dress code. Plus, our festive looks tap into broader current trends, so you’ll be able to rewear pieces throughout the coming months.


A Lively LBD

Give your signature LBD a festive twist with fur trim and sparkly accessories. Staud’s Kendall Jenner-approved Moon Bag makes a reliable plus-one to any party.

Wenona Faux-Fur Trim Blazer Dress

Miss Circle Wenona Faux-Fur Trim Blazer Dress

Sheer Control Top Tights

Hue Sheer Control Top Tights

Cher Pump

Badgley Mischka Cher Pump

Now 41% Off

Matrix Collar Necklace

Swarovski Matrix Collar Necklace

Unexpected Use of Color

Not sure of the dress code? Prove your fashion prowess by nailing the red tights trend. The styling hack works for a wide variety of settings when paired with a silky black slip.

Cami Satin Minidress

Skims Cami Satin Minidress

Soft Comfort 50 Denier Tights

Calzedonia Soft Comfort 50 Denier Tights

Medusa Bow Slingback Pump

Versace Medusa Bow Slingback Pump

Mini Cloud Clutch

Mansur Gavriel Mini Cloud Clutch

A Not-So-Ugly Christmas Sweater

ELLE editors are wholeheartedly embracing the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic that’s going viral this holiday season. Years down the line, that graphic pullover you grabbed for an ugly sweater party will be a valuable vintage gem.

Fairisle Crew Neck Sweater

Sanctuary Fairisle Crew Neck Sweater

The Everyday Shirt

Banana Republic The Everyday Shirt

Ebibi Sequin Pencil Skirt

Boss Ebibi Sequin Pencil Skirt

Now 40% Off

The Jane Heel

Margaux The Jane Heel

Now 50% Off


Modern Velvet

Sau Lee’s corseted gown gives a nod to Old Hollywood glamour, yet feels distinctly modern. Steal a page from Taylor Swift’s style playbook by pairing your party dress with Melinda Maria’s expensive-looking jewels.

Vesper Velvet Gown

Sau Lee Vesper Velvet Gown

Now 25% Off

Not Your Basic Tennis Necklace

Melinda Maria Not Your Basic Tennis Necklace

Not Your Basic Stud Earrings

Melinda Maria Not Your Basic Stud Earrings

Small Party Shoulder Bag

Kurt Geiger London Small Party Shoulder Bag

Alonde Heeled Sandal

Marc Fisher LTD Alonde Heeled Sandal

Now 50% Off


Smart Tailoring

Stand out from the sea of cocktail dresses with a sharply tailored pant suit. Alice + Olivia’s emerald-colored three-piece is one you’ll be excited to pull out again for a future event.

Silas Satin Blazer

Alice + Olivia Silas Satin Blazer

Now 30% Off

Nessi Satin Trousers

Alice + Olivia Nessi Satin Trousers

Now 25% Off

Claudia Lace & Satin Camisole

Alice + Olivia Claudia Lace & Satin Camisole

Now 30% Off

The Sculpted Metal Wristlet

Madewell The Sculpted Metal Wristlet

Double T Buckle Pointed Toe Pump

Tory Burch Double T Buckle Pointed Toe Pump

Now 40% Off


Conversation-Starting Accessories

A minimalist red dress makes a nice backdrop for sculptural Alexis Bittar earrings, Jacquemus bags, and other statement accessories. A dramatic faux fur coat leans into the more-is-more look and assures you stay warm no matter where the night takes you.

Lang Crêpe Maxi Dress

Solace London Lang Crêpe Maxi Dress

Dream Rain Linear Drop Earrings

Alexis Bittar Dream Rain Linear Drop Earrings

Nano Azariah Bag

Cult Gaia Nano Azariah Bag

Metallic Kitten Heel Sandal

Coach Metallic Kitten Heel Sandal

Sylke Pluche Coat

Apparis Sylke Pluche Coat

Winter White

An icy white gown makes a chic pick for a formal affair, especially when paired with a shaggy coat, silver accessories, and red-bottomed Christian Louboutins.

Michelle Maxi Dress

Meshki Michelle Maxi Dress

Ribbon Earrings

Dries Van Noten Ribbon Earrings

Geraldine Faux Fur Coat

Cinq à Sept Geraldine Faux Fur Coat

Now 25% Off

Rhea Metal Handle Bag

Mansur Gavriel Rhea Metal Handle Bag

Now 30% Off

Miss Z Slimimule

Christian Louboutin Miss Z Slimimule

A Casual Affair

Even a casual Secret Santa exchange can set the stage for a chic holiday party look. Contrast a festive graphic sweatshirt with sleek (and secretly comfortable) silk trousers and dramatically draped pearl accessories.

Anytime Cotton-Blend Velour Sweatshirt

Suzie Kondi Anytime Cotton-Blend Velour Sweatshirt

Straight-Leg Silk Satin Pants

LilySilk Straight-Leg Silk Satin Pants

Speedcat Ballet Flats

Puma Speedcat Ballet Flats

Bow Pearl Drip Earrings

Simone Rocha Bow Pearl Drip Earrings

Now 40% Off


Big Coat Energy

A New Year’s Eve party is the ideal excuse to treat yourself to that animal print coat you’ve been eyeing all season. A fitted LBD, sheer black tights, and pointed-toe black pumps make a foolproof pairing for any fête.

Jones Faux Fur Wrap Coat

SIMONMILLER Jones Faux Fur Wrap Coat

Long Sleeve Turtleneck Mini Dress

Norma Kamali Long Sleeve Turtleneck Mini Dress

Satin Touch 20 Denier Tights

Wolford Satin Touch 20 Denier Tights

Now 11% Off

Modellerie Slingback Pump

Prada Modellerie Slingback Pump

Gemma Hoop Earrings

Jenny Bird Gemma Hoop Earrings

Mixed Metallics

Pay homage to Burl Ives’s “Silver and Gold” with elegantly mixed metallics. Use the opportunity to show off heirloom pieces and recently unwrapped jewelry gifts.

Sequined Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

Rotate Birger Christensen Sequined Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

Lady Horsebit 75MM Sandals

Gucci Lady Horsebit 75MM Sandals

The Petite Scissor Clutch

Alexis Bittar The Petite Scissor Clutch

Now 55% Off

Double Hoop Earrings

Ana Luisa Double Hoop Earrings

Crossover Seven Row Diamond Ring

David Yurman Crossover Seven Row Diamond Ring

Peppermint Mocha

This season’s trendy mocha and chocolate brown palette makes the perfect choice for those who aren’t looking for a traditional red-and-green look. Suede and sequins add decadence to the sophisticated neutral—as does a candy-colored Prada Wander bag worth treating yourself to as an early gift.

Maisy Sequin Midi Dress

Cara Cara Maisy Sequin Midi Dress

Now 30% Off

Veda Lincoln Suede Shirt

Reformation Veda Lincoln Suede Shirt

Now 25% Off

Mica Slingback Pump

Mango Mica Slingback Pump

Now 25% Off

Edith Earrings

Heaven Mayhem Edith Earrings

Elevated Kitsch

BaubleBar’s holiday light-inspired lariat isn’t your usual novelty Christmas jewelry. Paired with a chic blazer dress and tasteful gemstone studs, it’ll become the talking point of your annual office party.

Juliet Pleated Blazer Dress

A.L.C. Juliet Pleated Blazer Dress

Glow With It Lariat Necklace

BaubleBar Glow With It Lariat Necklace

Gemstone Mini Studs

Mejuri Gemstone Mini Studs

Stuart Power 85 Pump

Stuart Weitzman Stuart Power 85 Pump

Dorothy Embroidered Satin Clutch

Vivienne Westwood Dorothy Embroidered Satin Clutch

Cranberry and Crimson

Burgundy and bright cherry red feel particularly festive with velvet, beaded fringe, croc embossing, and other interesting textures. You can remix each piece throughout the holiday season with neutrals like camel and chocolate brown.

Cosette Pointelle Cardigan

Dôen Cosette Pointelle Cardigan

Velvet Stella Pant

J.Crew Velvet Stella Pant

The Alonzo Coat

Madewell The Alonzo Coat

Now 25% Off

Electra Croc-Embossed Pump

MICHAEL Michael Kors Electra Croc-Embossed Pump

Now 30% Off

Valentina Mini Beaded Bag

Reformation Valentina Mini Beaded Bag

Retro Plaid

A festive plaid dress will always be a showstopper. Why not lean into holiday tradition even further with a black velvet bow?

Plaid Satin Dress

Lauren Ralph Lauren Plaid Satin Dress

 Aida Velvet Bow Barrette

Jennifer Behr Aida Velvet Bow Barrette

Samira Huggies

Jennifer Fisher Samira Huggies

Tobin Heeled Sandal

Veronica Beard Tobin Heeled Sandal

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