Holiday dresses for cocktail parties and dinners

From the first office party in December to the countdown on New Year’s Eve, a holiday dress gets more wear than almost anything else in your closet. We make most of ours in velvet or sparkly knit with long sleeves, in lengths from mini to the floor.

Shine for the cocktail hour

Cocktail dresses for holiday parties should let you stand, hold a glass and dance without tugging at anything. Our blue sparkly wrap mini does that. Draping at the waist and the wrapped skirt shape the line, and your shoulders and arms stay covered by the round neck and full sleeves. Silver or pearl earrings, black pumps. Done.

The purple one sparkles too, with lurex knitted into the jersey. It’s fitted, so wear seamless underwear, and on the way there a short faux fur jacket over black ankle boots looks great.

Want something longer for a restaurant? The black lurex midi bares the shoulders and has a slit at the leg. Pin your hair up and add hoops. Stilettos or strappy sandals will show in that slit, so choose them with care.

When the party has a dance floor

Think about the skirt first. A burgundy velvet style with a half-circle skirt swings out on every turn, and when you spin, a cutout on the back shows up that the front never hints at. It ends at the knee, and the long sleeves finish in cuffs.

Pleats do it too. Our powder pink pleated velvet midi covers your arms to just below the elbow, and the velvet shimmers a little with each step. With nude tights and ankle boots it’s ready for a winter dinner.

The navy velvet mermaid is the holiday dress for a formal ball. It’s snug through the hips and opens out near the knee. Walking? Easy. Silver jewelry, plus heels tall enough that the hem never touches the dance floor. A warm coat over the top, of course, since you’ll be outside for photos.

Cozy nights call for knit dresses with a festive feel. When the invitation says cocktail, check our cocktail styles, and if red’s your color this year, there’s a page just for red.

Frequently asked questions

Does angora itch?

Ours doesn’t. Our white angora-blend midi, in a milky shade with a high collar, is soft and warm, good for a chilly apartment or a long visit to family.