Holiday Style Guide: Formal Holiday Outfits
It’s Holiday Style Week! I’ll be sharing great holiday outfits for every occasion. Today, we’re talking about formal holiday outfits.
I love dressing up for the holidays. There are all sorts of occasions, parties, and events to attend and I get endless questions about what to wear.
This week for Holiday Style Week, I’ll be sharing holiday outfit ideas and formulas for lots of occasions. Today is all about formal holiday outfits.
I also rounded up some formal holiday shopping options HERE, if you need more options than the four I’m showing here!
Where to Wear Formal Holiday Outfits
Here are some great places to wear these formal holiday outfits:
- Winter Wedding
- Formal Holiday Party
- Cocktail Attire Party
Formal floor length dress
Where to wear this style of dress: If you go somewhere that has a formal dress code, look for a floor length dress. This gold dress is a head turner, and makes a big time statement, and what better time to go flashy than during the holidays? You could choose something simple in black or navy, but it’s fun to do something a little more glitzy!
Which accessories to choose: Since the dress is so flashy, I kept the shoes simple, and chose gold earrings that are large but not flashy, and go well with the dress. I also pulled my hair back into a low bun to show off the neckline and earrings a bit more, rather than covering them with long curls.
LULU’S GOLD SEQUIN DRESS | BLACK HEELED SANDALS | SEZANE EARRINGS
Formal skirt and dressy sweater
Where to wear this this outfit: If your event dress code is festive formal, or festive dressy, a flashy holiday skirt and a dressy sweater are a great option. The fun thing about this skirt is that you can wear it dressed down with a more casual sweater (like a slouchy cable knit option). But with a dressy sweater like this v-neck puff sleeve option, it feels much more formal. This could be gorgeous for a winter wedding or cocktail parties too.
Which accessories to choose: Black patent leather heels are an absolute closet staple. They go with everything and feel super classic and chic. Pairing with this skirt and sweater combo, it helps the outfit feel more formal. I added oversized diamond stud earrings and chic gold bracelets — the outfit doesn’t need much jewelry, but it needs a little!
ANTHROPOLOGIE SEQUIN SKIRT (similar HERE) | BLACK EXPRESS PUFF SLEEVE SWEATER | BLACK PATENT LEATHER HEELS | BUDHA GIRL BRACELETS
The Classic Little Black Dress
Where to wear this this outfit: A little black dress is a closet staple and can be worn to cocktail parties, formal events, weddings, and more. With little black dresses, there are a variety of styles and lengths and fabrics, but this lace option feels a little dressier so it can be worn to more formal events.
There is a time and a place for basic black dresses, but when you’re heading to a holiday party, have a little fun and choose one that’s special and unique with a pretty fabric, stunning design, interesting sleeves, or something to make it out of the ordinary.
Which accessories to choose: Since little black dresses are so classic, and a solid color, try adding fun accessories in a bold color. You could try red or green or gold, or any other color! Yes, you could absolutely do basic black, but don’t be afraid to try something bold!
Formal holiday outerwear
Where to wear this this outfit: This dress is perfect for a formal holiday wedding or party. Like the first gold dress shown above, the longer length helps the dress feel formal, but the addition of formal shoes and a formal coat takes it up a notch.
Since the dress is long, a long coat can feel like a lot of fabric, so try a cropped coat like this black fur one. The black fur helps the dress feel even more formal, and lets the long skirt shape stand out – super flattering. I’ve got a post about which coats to wear with long dresses right here.
Which accessories to choose: When you’re wearing a wintery look, I think a close toed shoe looks the most appropriate. A heeled sandal can feel out of place when wearing a coat!
In terms of jewelry, earrings are the best option when wearing a coat. Bracelets can get in the way, and necklaces can get so cold on your skin in the winter. Choose a pair of earrings that compliments the outfit. I chose these skinny bow drop earrings because they don’t compete with the statement coat and the bold dress, but they still add a little sparkle.
VELVET SOMERSET DRESS | BLACK BLANK NYC JACKET | BLACK PATENT LEATHER HEELS | AMAZON BOW EARRINGS
I hope this gives you some ideas of what to wear to your formal holiday events! Remember, these outfits can be used as inspiration for pieces in your closet.
And if you need more formal shopping options, CHECK OUT THIS POST!
Don’t miss my holiday style catalog HERE with more style ideas!
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