The holiday season isn’t only hard on our waistlines, it’s also rather trying on our wallets, too. It seems that every time we open our mailbox or e-mail, there’s an invitation or Paperless Post welcoming us to yet another holiday celebration. Upon ripping open the envelope – or clicking the e-mail – every woman’s first thought is “what am I going to wear?!” And you know what that means – it’s time to search for the perfect outfit which, oftentimes, means purchasing a new ensemble. Deciding what to sport to these soirees is so much more complicated than simply throwing on a dress. It has to be the perfect dress. Lucky for you, we found the best options regardless of the occasion, leaving you with more time to choose the right hostess gift!
Office Holiday Party
Besides remembering not to overindulge on the bubbly and inadvertently embarrass yourself in front of the boss, the most important part of your office holiday celebration is your outfit. While you should veer towards the conservative, you’ll still want to embody a festive spirit. A midi dress merges both of these concerns; subdued with just a hint of sexy.
TRY:
Victoria Beckham Fitted Midi Dress ($1285)
Preen By Thorton Bregazzi Tara Bi-Colour Ted-Satin Dress ($1460)
Topshop Midi Bodycon Dress ($40)
Gift Exchange with Girlfriends
When you’re celebrating with your best gals, you want to be comfortable, but still look cute for the abundance of Instagram photo ops. Thankfully, a sweater dress can achieve just that. Paired with classic black, opaque tights and chic flats, you’ll be both cozy and stylish.
TRY:
Givenchy Striped Sweater Dress ($1043)
Maison Martin Margiela Knit Sweater Dress ($697)
Minkpink Off White Sweater Dress ($99)
Dinner with His Family
During the holidays, there’s a good chance that you’ll be around your beau’s family. Perhaps you’ll be meeting them for the first time (no pressure!), or maybe you’ve already spent many holidays together. Either way, it’s still important to dress to impress… especially his mom. When choosing an outfit for such an occasion, it’s important to take it all down a notch. A ladylike dress with a demure collar will allow you to look sweet and proper, without entirely chastising your fun-loving, feminine self..
TRY:
Valentino Wool and Silk-Blend Mini Dress ($3640)
Steffen Schraut Brocade Dress with Jeweled Collar ($243)
ASOS Mini Tulip Dress in Floral Print with Embellished Collar ($95)
When You’re Hosting
If you plan of being the host, you’ll want to make sure you stand out from the crows. After all, this is your time to shine! A jumpsuit allows you to be comfortable (you can bend over the oven without exposing your derriere), yet still extremely chic and sophisticated. Add a statement necklace and you’ll be the life of the party (as you should be!).
TRY:
Maiyet Silk Halter Jumpsuit ($1695)
Veronica Beard Strapless Ponte Bustier Jumpsuit ($695)
H&M Jumpsuit ($60)
Cocktail Celebration
Fit-and-flare dresses are incredibly festive, not to mention flattering. Seriously, nothing will make your waistline look smaller. Even better, something about a dress with a fuller skirt just screams party, especially as you’re twirling around the dance floor.
TRY:
Alexander McQueen 3D Floral-Jacquard Stretch-Knit Dress ($1833)
Giambattista Valli Wool and Silk-Blend A-Line Dress ($1490)
H&M Dark Blue Bandeau Dress ($40)
Raise your glass to finding the perfect holiday outfit! Cheers, ladies.
-Casey Sharbaugh currently resides in New York City and works in the fashion industry. Find her on Twitter at @caseyhshar