Women’s Holiday Party Dresses | See the Best Dress Styles
If you’re looking to make a splash at your next holiday party, have no fear. It’s all about choosing the right colors, styles, and accessories, all of which are readily available. With the holidays in full swing, the emphasis is on winter fashions. Before deciding on the best women’s holiday party dresses, though, you just need to ask yourself a few questions:
- Is the dress going to be the centerpiece or just one important layer? The more you layer, the less important the dress itself.
- What colors best accentuate your skin tone and complexion? Just because it’s the winter season doesn’t mean you have a winter complexion.
- What colors are most important to your fashion sense? Though we would argue that burgundy works with all skin tones, some women prefer pastels and other shades.
- Which types of women’s holiday party dresses do you love? Which kinds do you hate? Turtleneck dresses make great winter dresses, but they might not be ideal if you find them constricting.
The following styles should provide more than enough inspiration to get you started as you compare the best women’s holiday party dresses.
Dress Styles
Your first important step is to decide which kind of dress to wear. From midi dresses to sweater dresses to cocktail dresses for holiday parties, you have a lot to choose from.
Midi Dresses: Midi dresses fall halfway between the knee and ankle. So if you want a dress that has all the features of a sexy summer ensemble but with a bit more leg coverage for the lower temperatures, midis make an excellent compromise. Pair it with a faux fur coat or statement coat for additional warmth and a look that’s guaranteed to stun.
Maxi Dresses: Yes, maxis are commonly considered a summer staple. We’ll be the first to admit it. They’re often light and breezy, and they always turn heads at the beach—hardly features that come to mind when you’re considering women’s holiday party dresses. But believe it or not, maxis can work extremely well in winter too. All you need is a dark base color and some winter accessories to complete the ensemble. Remember that some of the best cocktail dresses for holiday parties are actually maxi dresses.
Short Dresses: Yes, you read that right. We’re recommending short dresses as women’s holiday party dresses—but with one very important addition. Couple them with a good pair of knee-high boots so your legs don’t freeze. Long sleeves provide the maximum warmth, but you can get away with sleeveless varieties if you have a quality coat to layer over your dress.
Knit Tunics and Sweater Dresses: As the temperatures drop, the best holiday dresses are those that look great while still keeping you warm. The good news is that not every trendy dress is designed to be worn beneath the summer sun. Knit tunics and sweater dresses make excellent women’s holiday party dresses, and they provide total comfort in even the coldest temperatures. Look for long-sleeved varieties, and stick with neutral colors for flawless layering.
Turtlenecks: Turtleneck dresses have a classy, timeless look, and winter is the perfect time to show them off. If you really want to turn heads, opt for a turtleneck A-line dress. It will show off your curves while still providing ample coverage to keep you warm all winter long.
Long-Sleeve Jumpsuits: You probably don’t think of jumpsuits when you think of women’s holiday party dresses, but hear us out. Not every jumpsuit looks like a top and pants. Some have a long skirt to mimic the look of a traditional dress, and the extra material underneath helps you to keep warm without the need for leggings. Best of all, modern fashion jumpsuits look incredible. Dark colors and black shades work especially well for holiday parties.
Dress Colors
Once you decide on the style, you need to decide on a color. Certain hues work better than others in winter.
Burgundy Dresses: Whether you’re a fan of midi dresses, maxi dresses, short dresses, jumpsuits or any other style, try one in burgundy. Burgundy is a classic winter color, and it pairs especially well with dark-hued apparel. Winter is the time to don those darker shades that just don’t work in the summer months, and some of the best holiday dresses are burgundy shades. Navy and mustard yellow are also great winter colors, so add them to your wardrobe as well.
Off-White and Pastel Dresses: While we’re on the subject of color, off-white and light pastel shades are perfect for any season, so you shouldn’t eschew them in winter. Light colors evoke images of snow, cleanliness, and purity, all things that winter represents. Best of all, they blend with everything in your wardrobe, so if you need to layer a coat, a hat or a scarf, you’re covered!
Black Dresses: Black is universal. It goes with everything, it attracts attention, and it’s perfect for winter. Some of the best cocktail dresses for holiday parties feature black fabric, sometimes with sequins for a more glamorous effect.
The Trick to Comparing Women’s Holiday Party Dresses
The best holiday dresses are those that accentuate your style without forcing you to compromise on comfort. But that doesn’t mean your options are limited to winter dresses. If the dress looks amazing but doesn’t lend itself to cold temperatures, look for creative ways to layer it. Scarves, coats, boots, hats, and gloves can help to turn any dress into an amazing winter ensemble.
Whether you’re comparing cocktail dresses for holiday parties or just looking for something comfortable, the most important thing is that it works for you. If you see a dress and it excites you, go for it! The confidence you feel while wearing it will afford you more style points that any trendy dress that just makes you feel okay.
