Jan19
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Updated November 2026
I absolutely love holiday parties and having an excuse to buy a fun dress. Every year, I go through my favorite retailers and pick out the holiday cocktail dresses I’d wear myself, whether that’s to a dressy Christmas party, a work holiday party, or a Friendsgiving where I want to look a little more dressed up than usual.
This year, I sorted my picks by occasion instead of color, since the dress I’d wear to the office party isn’t the one I’d wear on New Year’s Eve. (Yes, there’s a New Year’s Eve section too.) A few of these are splurges, and I called those out so you can decide where you want to spend this holiday season.
My Favorite Holiday Cocktail Dresses
Dressy Christmas Party Dresses
These are the dresses I’d wear to the fanciest party on my calendar. If you’re shopping for a Christmas cocktail dress, start here.
J.Crew Column Slip Dress in Sequin Tulle
I saw the J.Crew Column Slip Dress in Sequin Tulle when I was in Venice Beach for work and fell in love, and I still regret not trying it on. I can’t think of anywhere to wear it, but gosh, I’d host my own holiday cocktail party just to have an excuse.
If you’re okay spending more, the DÔEN Nereida Dress is similar and even more fun.
DISSH Sian Black Silk Organza Mini Dress
If you want something you can wear year-round and keep for years, the DISSH Sian Black Silk Organza Mini Dress is the one. I’d pair it with sparkly earrings and heels for a holiday party, then wear it with flats for date night the rest of the year.
The organza is semi-sheer, but it comes with a removable slip lining. DISSH also recommends sizing up if you want a more relaxed fit.
Abercrombie High Neck Satin Mini Dress
This red Abercrombie High Neck Satin Mini Dress is budget-friendly and oh-so-pretty. The red is a perfect deep cherry shade, and I love the big bow in the back. Since the bow is the festive part, I’d keep the rest simple with sheer black tights and black heels.
Maeve Charlette Velvet Mock Neck Midi Dress
I love velvet, and it’s really only appropriate during the holiday season, so if you want to lean into the season, go with the Maeve Charlette Velvet Mock Neck Midi Dress from Anthropologie.
It comes in black too, but I like the wine color best. The mock neck and midi length make it a good fit for a Christmas party with a nicer dress code.
Long Sleeve Option: French Connection
If you want long sleeves (and something you can wear all winter), go with the French Connection Azra Long Sleeve Mini Dress. Twill is a sturdier fabric than most party dresses, so it’s warm enough for a cold-weather party. Plus, it has pockets.
It’s simple on its own, so pair it with festive accessories. I’d add sheer black tights and the Tuckernuck Black Satin Gabrielle Clutch to make it feel like a holiday dress.
Work Holiday Party Dresses
The office party is its own puzzle. You want to look festive, but you’re still around coworkers so it’s best to lean a little more modest. If you want ideas beyond a dress, I have a full guide to holiday work party outfits.
French Connection Azra Twill 2 Pocket Long Sleeve Mini Dress
I mentioned the French Connection Azra Long Sleeve Mini Dress above, and it’s my top pick for a work party too. The long sleeves keep a mini modest enough for the office, and it’ll keep working for the office long after the holidays.
Tuckernuck Gilded Blossom Jacquard Marlowe Dress
The jacquard fabric on the Tuckernuck Gilded Blossom Jacquard Marlowe Dress makes it feel like a holiday dress by itself, and the fit is simple enough for an office crowd. I’d keep the accessories minimal: sheer tights and black pumps. If the jacquard is too much for your office, it comes in other colorways.
If you like this one, here’s my roundup of my favorite Tuckernuck dresses.
Banana Republic Italian Satin Trapeze Maxi Dress
I wore the Banana Republic Italian Satin Trapeze Maxi Dress to a work dinner when I was in my first trimester and not feeling great, and I still felt beautiful. It’s dressy but unbelievably comfortable, and the trapeze shape is forgiving. (It also works well as a maternity cocktail dress.)
It also comes in a dark burgundy if you want something more traditional for the holidays. I wore mine with simple black heels and a black clutch.
New Year’s Eve Dresses
New Year’s Eve is when I go all in on sparkle. If you’d rather skip the dress, I have more New Year’s Eve outfit ideas, whether you’re celebrating at home or going out.
Maeve Metallic Sequined Knit Mini Dress
I absolutely love sequin dresses, but the cut has to be right to avoid it looking trashy. The long sleeves on the Maeve Metallic Sequined Knit Mini Dress from Anthropologie keep the sequins in check, and the gold color is classier than the typical silver sequins.
If you’re going to a more casual New Year’s Eve party, pair the Maeve Sequined Baby Tee with dark jeans. I like the Paige Anessa Jeans because the dark wash keeps the outfit dressy.
J.Crew Column Slip Dress in Sequin Tulle
The J.Crew Column Slip Dress in Sequin Tulle from the Christmas section gets a repeat appearance because I love it so much. It works for a dressy Christmas party and New Year’s Eve, and I’m all for rewearing outfits, even during the holidays, so here’s your permission to do the same.
Jada Fringe Mock Turtleneck Midi Dress
The Jada Fringe Mock Turtleneck Midi Dress would work for a dressy Christmas party, but I especially like the idea of it for New Year’s Eve since the fringe is so fun. I’d keep the shoes simple and let the fringe be the statement.
Friendsgiving and Casual Holiday Outfits
I cheated on this section a little. Not all of these are dresses, but they’re more practical for Friendsgiving, especially if you’re hosting.
For more ideas for the big day itself, here are my Thanksgiving outfit ideas.
Outoshe Satin Maxi Skirt or J.Crew Cosmo Pant with a Sweater
Satin bottoms with a sweater are my favorite middle ground when a dress feels like too much. The Outoshe Satin High Waisted Maxi Skirt is an affordable Amazon find, or try the J.Crew Cosmo Pant in Luster Charmeuse if you’d rather wear pants.
I like it with the Frank & Eileen black turtleneck and the Aritzia red cardigan layered over it. A red cardigan is the easiest way I know to make a simple outfit feel festive.
I also paired my satin pants with By Paige needlepoint loafers, which are practical and festive.
Banana Republic Italian Satin Trapeze Maxi Dress
If you’re hosting, the Banana Republic Italian Satin Trapeze Maxi Dress from the work party section belongs here too. Bonus points because it’s the most comfortable dress in this post.
Banana Republic Satin-Stretch Tie-Neck Top with Jeans
If you’d rather wear jeans, the Banana Republic Satin-Stretch Tie-Neck Top dresses them up enough for a holiday party. The satin and the tie at the neck make dark jeans feel like a party outfit, and it’s easy to move around in if you’re hosting Friendsgiving.
A Fair Isle Sweater with Jeans
Or just wear jeans with a Fair Isle sweater. I like the Boden Edie Fair Isle Sweater in Pink, but if pink isn’t your thing, I have lots of options in my roundup of Fair Isle sweaters.
Cocktail Dresses & Accessories
Festive accessories are the easiest way to make a simple outfit holiday-appropriate. Any black dress or date-night top looks party-ready with the right earrings and shoes.
I love the NADRI In The Air Bow Jacket Earrings this time of year, and the Billie Crystal Fringe Bag would work with almost every dress in this post. If you like a little less bling, I own the Tuckernuck Black Satin Gabrielle Clutch and love it. For shoes, the Franco Sarto Racer Slingback Heels in Silver go with black, red, and velvet. Or if you don’t have a basic black heel, those are a worthy addition and will also work with all of these outfits.
I also like the affordable statement jewelry from Baublebar, and in my experience, the shipping is fast, so it’s good if you need a last-minute addition.
With black dresses, I prefer a red lip to make the look more festive. This Armani lipstick in shade Four Hundred is, hands down, the most flattering red lipstick ever. It looks GOOD on everyone.
Holiday Cocktail Attire FAQs
What is cocktail attire for a Christmas party?
Cocktail attire is a balance between formal and casual. It’s not as formal as a black-tie event or a gala where you’d wear a gown, but it’s dressier than dinner with your girlfriends. Women usually wear a dress with heels, though dressier heeled boots work too, and men usually wear a suit and tie. Most retailers label these as cocktail dresses, so that’s an easy filter when you’re shopping.
What is considered a cocktail dress?
A cocktail dress usually falls between knee length and midi. It’s dressier than an everyday dress but less formal than a gown, and it’s often in a dressier fabric like velvet or satin.
How do you wear a cocktail dress in winter?
Winter cocktail attire follows the same rules, just with warmer fabrics and closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves help, or you can layer a wrap or the Anthropologie Faux Fur Jacket over a sleeveless dress. I wear sheer black tights with most of my holiday dresses since they keep the look dressy, and I save opaque tights for more casual outfits.
What colors should you wear on Christmas Day?
Red is the classic choice, and deep jewel tones like burgundy and emerald feel festive too. If you don’t love color, black with sequins or metallic details works. I’d skip wearing red and green together unless it’s a themed party. If you’re dressing for family Christmas, I also have ideas for what to wear on Christmas Eve.
The Bottom Line
If you’re still deciding on a holiday cocktail dress, start with the occasion. I’d save the sequins for New Year’s Eve, and for the office, the French Connection Azra Long Sleeve Mini Dress is my first pick.
If you need cold-weather looks for the rest of the season, I have plenty of winter outfit ideas too.
Alright, I’ll wrap this up. Thank you for reading, and have fun celebrating.
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One response to “The Best Holiday Cocktail Dresses”
So pretty and festive! Do you have a link for the black lace dress you’re wearing in the photo with Tommy?