The holiday season is in full swing. Christmas is just around the corner, along with Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s. That being said, holiday parties are also on the horizon. Many of these parties might be casual affairs, suited for the stuff that’s already in your closet, but you may have some dressier occasions you need to prepare for.
Looking at your college era closet, you may not feel like the coffee-stained crewneck you wear to your 8 a.m. class is suitable for the holiday party that your crush may or may not be at. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look sexy (or classy!) at your next holiday party. Your dress — whether mini, midi, or maxi — can make or break the occasion. Feeling confident in what you wear is key to having a good time at a large holiday party, especially where you may not even know all of the attendees. Here are 20 dresses for your next holiday party!
- Abercrombie & Fitch Satin Cowl Back Slip Midi Dress
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This light blue midi slip dress ($120) from Abercrombie & Fitch is available in sizes XXS – XL. Styled with sparkly earrings and heels, this dress is a simple statement for a semi-formal holiday party.
- H&M Sequined Dress
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This silver sequined mini dress ($50) is a statement, and perfect for any holiday party through New Year’s. Styled with black tights, knee high boots, and a matching purse, this sparkly number is sure to shine anywhere you go.
- Realisation Par “The Leekley” in Black Velvet
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This long sleeve, black velvet dress ($220) from Realisation Par is a timeless staple that can be dressed up or down, depending on your vibe. Add loafers and chunky socks for a dressed-down look, or tights and mary jane heels for a more elevated look.
- Free People Norma Kamali Diana To The Knee Dress
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This red midi dress ($205) from Free People is super curve-flattering thanks to its ruched design. Another plus is that a dress like this can be worn again at a date party or semi-formal event.
- Reformation Casette Silk Dress
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This red silk gown from Reformation is one of the pricier options on this list at $298, but would make a great investment piece for someone looking to build their wardrobe. Not to mention, it’s sustainably made, so you don’t have to worry about the carbon footprint of your holiday party prep.
- Urban Outfitters Issa Vibe Chainmail Mini Dress
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The Issa Vibe Chainmail Mini Dress ($90) from Urban Outfitters is the perfect mini for a New Year’s Eve party. Short and shiny, this dress would be best complimented by lots of silver jewelry, and silver heels for a monochromatic look.
- Target Knox Rose™ Long Sleeve Velvet A-Line Dress
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This long-sleeved velvet maxi dress ($40) from Target is a great option for those who want a little more coverage. Not to mention, this gorgeous maxi comes in plus sizes.
- SNDYS x REVOLVE Angel Strapless Midi Dress
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This strapless olive green midi dress ($72) from the SNDYS x REVOLVE collab is a non-seasonal dress that could totally work for a holiday party. Add a little strappy sandal or boot with this dress for a chic, minimalist holiday party look.
- Walmart Womens V-Neck Wrap Long Sleeve Dress
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Surprisingly, Walmart has some super cute holiday dresses. This green V-neck wrap dress is figure flattering, and it’s only $30. Style it with boots for colder weather, or pumps to dress it up more!
- Zara Pleated Mini Dress
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This red pleated mini dress ($60) from Zara is one option that allows you more coverage on the upper half of your body. Make it weather-appropriate with red tights and boots for the ultimate holiday party outfit.
- Princess Polly Zahara Mini Dress in Beige
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A sweater dress can be a great option for holiday parties that are a little bit more on the casual side. This beige turtleneck mini dress ($72) from Princess Polly is one such sweater dress. Pair it with chunky chelsea boots, a leather coat, and tights to make it more weather-appropriate.
- ASOS DESIGN High Neck Mini Dress in Satin Plisse
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Spice up your next holiday party in a gold dress. This high-neck mini dress ($60) from ASOS would be perfect for a holiday get-together. Pair it with gold shoes and accessories for a monochromatic holiday look, or with red shoes to make it a bit more festive.
- Nasty Gal Plus Size Sequin Cowl Neck Open Back Mini Dress
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This black sequin dress ($30) from Nasty Gal is stunning, and can be styled in a variety of ways — with boots, heels, or sneakers. Not to mention, it’s available in plus sizes.
- UNIF XO Dress in Off White Floral
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This adorable babydoll-style mini ($98) from UNIF doesn’t initially seem like a holiday dress — but a closer look reveals that the brand paired red and green together. Add some red ribbons in your hair and white tights for a whimsical holiday look.
- Estrella Studio Ivory Lace Harmony Dress
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If you’re looking for a unique holiday dress option, look no further than Estrella Studio. This sheer lace midi dress ($160) from this small biz is gorgeous, and would look totally badass styled with some leather accessories. Pair the Ivory Lace Harmony Dress with knee-high black boots, a black coat, and negligee of your choice (a slip or matching set) for a sexy party look. Bonus points: Add a red lip for holiday flare.
- Lisa Says Gah Grace Dress in Rose Party
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The new Rose Party print collection from Lisa Says Gah is built for the holiday season. The Grace Dress ($218) is classy enough for a semi-formal party with extended family, but stylish enough to keep you feeling confident.
- Pacsun LA Hearts Strapless Fit & Flare Mini Dress
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There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a little black dress to a holiday party (after all, we don’t all feel our best in red or green?). This strapless black mini dress ($32) from Pacsun can be worn for a variety of occasions. Dress it up for the holidays with funky heels and a cute purse.
- Lucy in the Sky Melina Shiny Bodycon Dress in Green
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This shiny green mini dress from Lucy in the Sky ($60) is one of the more revealing options on this list. Pair it with black tights and some sexy slingback mules to elevate this sexy mini dress.
- Anthropologie Maeve Halter Midi Dress
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The Maeve Halter Midi Dress ($170) from Anthropologie is one of the more formal options on this list. With its classic silhouette, this dress is flattering for a variety of body types. Pair it with a sparkly heel and mini clutch for a fancy holiday get-together.
- Depop, the RealReal, Poshmark, and ThredUp
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Thrifting a dress or party outfit can be a great option for college fashionistas on a budget. Party dresses can be purchased online on Depop, Poshmark, the RealReal, ThredUp, and many more websites. The key is to search for specifically what you want. For example, I would search “green velvet midi dress” or “sequin mini dress” to find holiday party-ready dresses for a more affordable price. Happy hunting!
