Holiday party dresses in velvet, lurex and satin

Good dresses for holiday parties have to last a long December evening, from a toast with coworkers to a late table with friends. We sew the bulk of them in velvet with long sleeves, and for nights with more shine or more skin there’s lurex knit, angora-blend knit and a red satin slip.

Covered up and cozy for coworkers and family

The office party is the easy one. Take our burgundy velvet midi, closed at the neck, arms covered all the way down. No wrap needed even in a drafty conference room, and that deep wine color comes out rich in photos under fluorescent light. Heeled ankle boots or knee boots in a matching shade. Gold earrings. That’s it.

Dinner at your aunt’s is a turtleneck night. In the black velvet turtleneck midi, only your hands and face show, so big earrings or one bracelet are all the jewelry it takes. The emerald version has a thin belt at the waist, and with that collar your hair looks best in a bun.

Midi length helps too. You’ll sit, stand, reach across the table for the potatoes, and nobody’s checking your hem.

Shine and bare shoulders once it’s just your friends

This is where we’d steer you to lurex. Metallic thread runs through the knit, and the black lurex midi sits off the shoulders, drapes across the body and opens in a slit at the leg, while its long sleeves keep you warm between the car and the bar. Hair up, so the shoulders show. Stilettos or strappy sandals.

The purple sparkly mini is simpler. Round neck, long sleeves, close fit. Go with seamless underwear and small silver rings.

Then the red satin slip mini, with skinny straps and a low V, for a cocktail night or a date after the party. A strapless or stick-on bra goes underneath, and in winter an oversized black blazer goes on top. Cold walk ahead? Our pink angora-blend mini, slit at the hem, stays warm without a sweater, with thick nude tights and heeled boots.

British friends call these party holiday dresses, and the same rules hold for a Christmas do. Brighter ideas for midnight are on the New Year’s Eve page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear something short to the office?

With long sleeves it’s usually fine. Just don’t go short at the hem and low at the neckline on the same night. The red satin slip works at the office party too, as long as the blazer stays on.