The best holiday outfits for women start with the event, not the trend. A family dinner, an office party and a New Year’s Eve celebration each sit at a different dress level, so first decide how formal the night is, then add one festive element: velvet, satin, sequins, metallics, tartan or a rich jewel tone. Keep shoes comfortable for standing and mingling, and bring a coat that works over your outfit. This hub gathers our holiday outfit formulas by occasion and links to the full guides for each event. For other celebrations year-round, see what to wear for every occasion.
Quick answer
Holiday outfits = the right dress level for the event + one festive fabric or color.
- Family dinners: cozy and polished, like a sweater with a satin skirt.
- Office parties: festive but work-appropriate; skip very short hems and cutouts.
- Christmas and Hanukkah gatherings: velvet, plaid and jewel tones.
- New Year’s Eve: the dressiest night, with sequins, metallics and statement shoes.
- One festive piece per outfit looks chic; more can feel like a costume.
How Dressy Is Each Holiday Event?
Use this chart to match your outfit to the occasion.
| Event | Dress level | Outfit formula |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving / Friendsgiving | Casual to smart casual | Sweater + dark jeans or midi skirt + ankle boots |
| Office holiday party | Smart casual to cocktail | Velvet blazer + silk cami + tailored trousers |
| Holiday cocktail party | Cocktail | Satin or velvet midi dress + heels |
| Christmas Eve / Christmas dinner | Smart casual to dressy | Velvet dress or tartan skirt + fine knit |
| Christmas morning | Relaxed | Matching knit set or soft lounge set |
| Hanukkah or Kwanzaa gathering | Follow the host | Jewel-tone dress or dressy separates |
| Ugly sweater party | Casual, themed | Novelty sweater + black jeans + boots |
| New Year’s Eve | Cocktail to formal | Sequin or metallic dress or top + statement heels |
If an invitation lists a dress code, follow it first; our guide to dress code types explains cocktail, semi-formal and black tie.
Holiday Outfits by Occasion
Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving
Thanksgiving is about comfort at the table: soft knits, a little stretch and warm fall colors like rust, camel and olive. Try a cable-knit sweater with a satin midi skirt, or a sweater dress with knee boots. For more looks, including hosting and travel outfits, see our Thanksgiving outfit ideas and the seasonal basics in fall outfits for women.
Office holiday party
The office party is still a work event. Aim for festive but appropriate: a velvet blazer over a silk cami with tailored trousers, a jewel-tone wrap dress, or a sequin top with a black midi skirt. Keep hems at or below the knee and choose shoes you can stand in for hours. Our work outfits for women hub covers office dress codes year-round.
Holiday cocktail parties
Cocktail parties are the moment for a dress. Satin slip dresses, velvet midis and one-shoulder silhouettes all work, paired with heels or dressy flats and a small clutch. Browse party outfits for women for formulas by party type.
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and church services
Christmas looks lean traditional: velvet, plaid and tartan, cashmere, and red, green, gold or cream. For church services, cover shoulders and choose a modest hem. Christmas morning is the one time a matching lounge set counts as an outfit. See every version in our Christmas outfit ideas, and if you are planning matching photos, use our family photo outfit ideas.
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and family gatherings
For holiday gatherings in someone else’s home, follow the host’s lead and dress one notch above everyday. A jewel-tone midi dress, a fine-knit set or dressy trousers with a silky blouse work for most candle lightings, dinners and celebrations. Blue, silver and white are popular for Hanukkah; red, green and black for Kwanzaa, though neither is required.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is the dressiest night of the season. Sequins, metallics, satin and feathers are all fair game, as long as the shape is simple. Try a sequin mini with a tailored blazer, a satin slip dress with a faux-fur stole, or metallic wide-leg pants with a black bodysuit. If you are heading out late, our club outfits for women cover dance-floor-friendly shoes and bags.
Stylist’s tip
Plan your holiday wardrobe around two hero pieces, like a velvet midi dress and a sequin top. Wear the dress to dinner with flats, then with heels to a party; wear the sequin top with jeans for Friendsgiving and with satin trousers for New Year’s Eve. Two pieces, four different nights.
Festive Fabrics and Colors
| Festive element | Why it works | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|
| Velvet | Rich texture that reads instantly “holiday” | Satin, silk, fine knits |
| Satin and silk | Soft sheen for dinners and parties | Cashmere, tailored wool |
| Sequins and metallics | Party sparkle for NYE | Matte fabrics, simple shapes |
| Tartan and plaid | Classic Christmas pattern | Solid knits, black or cream |
| Faux fur and shearling | Warm, glamorous outerwear | Slip dresses, tailored coats |
Jewel tones like emerald, ruby, sapphire and burgundy are the easiest holiday colors to wear. Metallic gold and silver work as accents or full looks. For pairings, see what colors go with red, gold, silver and emerald green. Delicate fabrics need gentle care after a big night; our guide on how to wash silk keeps satin and silk looking new.
Shoes, Coats and Accessories
- Shoes: block heels, velvet pumps, metallic flats or heeled ankle boots. Pack flats for long parties.
- Coat: a long wool coat or faux-fur jacket that fits over your outfit; see winter outfits for women for warm layering.
- Tights: sheer black tights make dresses work in cold weather.
- Accessories: one statement piece, like chandelier earrings, a beaded clutch or a velvet hair bow.
For dress shapes that suit different events, browse types of dresses.
Holiday Outfits for Every Age and Body
- Over 50: velvet wide-leg trousers with a silk blouse, or a long-sleeve jewel-tone midi. See fashion for women over 50.
- Plus size: wrap dresses in velvet or satin, and sequin tops with dark wide-leg pants. See plus size style.
- Petite: knee-length dresses and monochrome metallic looks keep the line long. See petite outfits.
Attending a winter wedding this season? Our wedding guest outfits hub explains evening dress codes and colors to avoid.
Do
- Match your outfit to the event’s dress level first.
- Add one festive fabric, color or accessory.
- Choose a coat that fits over your outfit.
Don’t
- Wear very short or revealing pieces to the office party.
- Pile sequins, tartan and faux fur into one outfit.
- Wear brand-new heels to a party where you’ll stand all night.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to a holiday party?
Wear an outfit that matches the party’s dress level plus one festive element. For most holiday parties, a velvet or satin midi dress, a sequin top with tailored pants, or a jewel-tone wrap dress works. Add comfortable heels or dressy flats and a small clutch.
What should I wear to an office holiday party?
Choose festive but work-appropriate pieces: a velvet blazer with tailored trousers, a jewel-tone wrap dress, or a sequin top with a midi skirt. Keep hems at or below the knee, avoid cutouts and very low necklines, and wear shoes you can stand in comfortably.
What colors should I wear for the holidays?
Red, emerald green, burgundy, navy, gold, silver and cream are the classic holiday colors. Jewel tones are the easiest to wear and flatter most skin tones. For a subtle look, pair black or cream with one metallic accessory.
What do you wear on Christmas Day?
For Christmas morning, a matching knit or lounge set is perfect. For Christmas dinner or church, choose a velvet dress, a tartan skirt with a fine knit, or tailored trousers with a festive blouse. Follow your family’s dress level.
What should I wear on New Year’s Eve?
New Year’s Eve is the dressiest night of the season. Sequin or metallic dresses, satin slip dresses, or metallic pants with a bodysuit are all great options. Keep the silhouette simple, add statement earrings, and bring a warm coat for outdoor countdowns.
Can I wear jeans to a holiday party?
Yes, for casual gatherings like Friendsgiving or an ugly sweater party. Choose dark, non-distressed jeans and dress them up with a sequin top, velvet blazer or silk blouse plus heeled boots. For cocktail parties and New Year’s Eve, choose a dress or dressy trousers.