Holiday mini dresses for office parties and New Year's

One sleeve or two in holiday velvet

The plain version has a round neck and both arms covered. We sew it in red, emerald, black, blue, white and burgundy. Because the top is closed, it fits rooms where a bare-shouldered mini would feel like too much.

Want more drama? Our one-sleeve velvet leaves a shoulder open while the opposite arm gets a full sleeve. Skip the necklace. A single large earring on the bare side looks better, and you’ll need a strapless bra. At the fitting, make sure the bare side sits smooth and stays put.

Chocolate brown is the newest color. The wrap style is stretch velvet, deeply V-necked and gathered near the waist, while the round-neck one is softly folded between waist and hip, and its hem crosses at an angle. Mocha boots and a beige coat go nicely with both.

Lurex wraps and a red satin slip for the party itself

Lurex shines without help. We make a wrap mini in black, emerald and powder pink, with a V-neck and a belt that sets the waist where you want it. A triangle neckline in black-and-silver lurex is there too. Keep the tights matte with all of them.

Blue and purple come in shimmering knit with a round neck and long sleeves. They’re fitted, so seamless underwear matters.

And the red satin slip? Its straps are thin, the V runs deep, and sleeves are missing altogether. In winter, a roomy black blazer or a long coat goes over it, with thin tights below.

Angora and rib knit for the quieter days in between

Can you wear a mini when it’s freezing? In our white angora-blend style, sure. It’s a warm soft knit with long sleeves and a slit at the front side. A mint rib knit with a ruffle at the hem is the daytime option, and we’d put white sneakers and a puffer with it. Black turtleneck minis cover the rest.

We cut every holiday mini dress in XS to XL. Go by bust and hips for fitted velvet. After that, compare lengths on midis for the holidays, see the whole holiday lineup, or stick with the fabric on short velvet dresses.

Frequently asked questions

Will a short hem pass at an office holiday party?

Not when the sleeves are long and the neck is round. Opaque tights help.

What tights go with a velvet mini?

Thin black ones for the evening. With lurex, pick matte so the legs don’t compete with the fabric.

When should I pick a holiday mini dress?

Early. It’s a seasonal style, and you’ll want time to try a second size if the first one isn’t right.

Which coat works over a short party dress?

A little faux-fur jacket, or else a black coat cut straight. For the night itself, see our New Year’s Eve page.