Christmas dresses for family dinners and festive nights

Dinner at the long table

Sitting for hours changes what you want. A wrap helps. Our chocolate velvet wrap mini is draped around the waist, and those folds hide your tummy after the second helping of pie. Brown also looks warmer than black under yellow dining room lights. Wear it with gold.

A belt does the same job on the red velvet midi. You get a V-neck, covered arms and a hem below the knee, and it goes with pumps on a steady heel and small gold earrings. Honestly, that’s the Christmas dress for a family table where you also want to look good in the photos by the tree.

Lurex knit stretches, and the blue lurex wrap midi won’t squeeze you at the table either, even after dessert, while the belt lets you loosen or tighten the waist as the evening goes on and the candles burn down.

Green, red or soft white for the 25th

Red and emerald are the classic pair. Pick the emerald pleated midi for a restaurant dinner with dancing after, since the pleats move with you. Its sleeves are short, so on a cold evening pull a thin black turtleneck on underneath. The emerald velvet turtleneck midi is the covered version, with a belt at the waist. Put your hair up in a bun, because the collar covers your neck.

For a slow Christmas morning at home, there’s milky white angora-blend knit with a high neck, as soft as it looks. Thick nude tights, beige boots, coffee. That’s it. If you’re opening presents on the floor with the kids, a short knit dress like this one is a lot easier to move in than anything with a long skirt or a slit.

Heading to an evening party instead? A red satin slip mini on thin straps works under a long coat, with sheer tights for the walk over. A classy Xmas outfit doesn’t need much more.

For a whole page in one color, see the red styles for the holidays. Knit lovers should open the cozy sweater dresses, and if it’s the work do, our office party picks are a good start.

Frequently asked questions

When should I try on my Christmas dress?

Early in December at the latest. Sit down in it, then stand and reach up. If it still feels easy, you’re set.

Is velvet too hot in a crowded house?

It can be. A mini, a short sleeve or a bare shoulder helps, and you can skip the tights.

What coat goes over a velvet midi?

Pick a wool coat long enough to hide the hem. Over a mini, a short fur jacket keeps the proportions right.

How do I wash velvet after the party?

Inside out, in cool water no warmer than 30 °C, on the delicate cycle. Don’t wring it, and let it dry on a hanger away from the radiator.