What to Wear to a Holiday Party
Lots of holiday party invites but nothing to wear? Can’t afford to spend much? Don’t worry, CF has you covered. Here are some more party outfit ideas made especially for the holidays that don’t cost a fortune. Most of them are under $200!
These outfits will be even better for your wallet if you can make them yourself using items you already have – you don’t have to go out & buy everything I recommend here! Let my examples inspire you to make your own.
Outfit #1 – A Dressed-up LBD
A classic LBD (little black dress) gets dressier with a bow-shaped waist belt, patterned tights, bright high heels, and a splattering of sparkles. Perfect for a formal occasion that you want to make a little more fun! A few of the products featured below are sold out, but you can easily find substitutes at your favorite stores or in your own closet.
Product Information: Patterned Tights – $12 at Topshop, Dress – $26.99 at Charlotte Russe, Belt – $9.80 at Forever 21, CZ Stud Earrings – $39 at Banana Republic, Clutch – $19.99 at Nine West, Shoes – $66 at Zappos
Outfit #2 – Girly & Fun
This look is sophisticated, girly, and fun at the same time! Holiday party clothes don’t need to be red and green – that’s so cliche! Go for a sweet and stylish approach with dark skinny jeans, a shiny cream-colored top, and statement accessories in coordinating colors. Finish it off with a black satin jacket and roll up the sleeves for a funkier look.
Product Information: Jacket – $32.80 at Forever 21, Bracelet – $6.80 at Forever 21, Top – $56 at TopShop, Skinny jeans – $48 at Charlotte Russe, Earrings – $4.80 at Forever 21, Clutch – $34 at Payless, Lela Rose Shoes – $21.99 at Payless
Outfit #3 – Retro Chic
An retro chic look with a twist. It starts with a simple pencil skirt and ruffled top. I added a blingy cocktail ring and ruffled clutch for interest, and finished it off with some amazing pink suede heels! Who says classic has to be boring? Throw in some opaque black or patterned tights if you live somewhere cold and you’re good to go.
Product Information: Clutch – $53 at Dorothy Perkins, Ring – $4.80 at Forever 21, Top – $16 at TopShop, Pencil skirt – $19.80 at Forever 21, Shoes – $69.99 at Bakers
Outfit #4 – Winter Wonderland
Even if you live in California, you can get the winter wonderland feeling with this outfit. A simple blue dress is transformed by sparkling accessories in wintery silvers and blues. The Abaete for Payless clutch is pretty without being too girly, the earrings look like snowflakes, and how gorgeous are those silver heels?
Product Information: Shoes – $120 at TopShop (okay, probably too expensive but I couldn’t resist!), Headband – $12.99 at J. Crew, Dress – $80 at Topshop, Earrings – $6 at Wet Seal, Abaete Clutch – $34 at Payless
What would you wear?
You’ve seen my ideas for holiday party outfits – now I want to hear yours!
What do you usually wear to holiday parties? What are you planning to wear this year? I want to see all of your party outfit ideas. Answer by leaving a comment or making a Polyvore set of what you would wear. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Posted on on December 18, 2008 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Holidays, Jeans, Shoes, Tights
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Sophie
love the third one fits my personality perfectly classic and sexy with a youthful twist
Lindsey
I love the first two, and the shoes from the last one! So cute! I usually wear something similar to the first one for holiday parties, like a little black dress, eyecatching jewelry (but not too much), sometimes tights, and red shoes. I love red shoes. I’ve found they are a great way to add a little bit of holiday festivity to your look without going all out red, green or white.
Lyd
since its summer in my are, ill be rocking out in floral dresses!!! or ill team a tiered skirt with a nice blouse and jeweled sandals
k
Usually, I just wear a dress with stockings or a nice shirt with jeans paired with flats. I’d like to try something new this year. I love the pencil skirt trend, and I’ll most likely wear something similar to number 3.
I’ll sport a white blouse with a black pencil skirt as my base, then i’ll wear patterened stockings to spice it up. Next, heels that add a random pop of color, and a few strings of necklaces.
Abby Daniel
i LOVE when you make outfits!! more please!! i like the second outfit, but would love to see more dress combinations!
d robnett
love the outfits! this site has some great tee shirts and are always adding more every day. i hear they are doing to start adding designs that have a vintage look and feel – retro 60s and 70s look. i bought some as gifts.
Erin
I really love each one! The LBD is always the way to go when you’re not sure or you’re meeting new people/an older crowd. On outfit two, I definitely will wear something like this to a really casual Christmas gathering! On the third, I absolutely love the dress. A good one for a party, or even an interview/business day. Very girly, nostalgic, and beautiful. The fourth, a definitely for visiting my family and friends in Charleston, SC. At my mom and aunt’s annual Christmas party, we throw a party by the pool and out onto our docks and boats. The fourth outfit is perfect for surviving the heat–its 79 degrees here right now! –and still looking Christmas-y. Plus, something about it has a little girl edge to it, which I’m sure makes my dad and brothers happy. :) Great outfits!!
pieceapie
All three outfits are so cute! They are put together and have a great feel to them. Definitely inspired me to create some new rockin’ outfits from my very own closet! I am a new-found fan of Polyvore. Their site is amazing and I’m so glad you mentioned it! It is such an easy way to put some slammin’ outfits together with the click of a mouse.
Great article =)
Candace C.
I’m not sure if this will work in the comments, but I made this polyvore: loosely based on what I wore to my Christmas Party for work (I’m a receptionist for a fairly large company). Only the skirt is the same as the one I had…the top is the same color and material, but mine didn’t have the belt, and buttoned up…so I wore a gold leopard print vintage belt I already own with it… and these shoes: http://www.myspringshoes.com/ca-eng/women/shoes/dress/68988844-trena
Work Party by CleverNapkins
Candace C.
I’m not sure if this will work in the comments, but I made this polyvore: Work Party by CleverNapkins
loosely based on what I wore to my Christmas Party for work (I’m a receptionist for a fairly large company). Only the skirt is the same as the one I had…the top is the same color and material, but mine didn’t have the belt, and buttoned up…so I wore a gold leopard print vintage belt I already own with it… and these shoes: http://www.myspringshoes.com/ca-eng/women/shoes/dress/68988844-trena
Bree
I guess I was “Girly and Fun” at my christmas party. Um, I was the only one that was really dressed up. : / Thank god, hours before I wanted to buy a dress and it would have been out of place.
I wore a shiny red bolero over a fringy (1920s flapper fringe) top, wore a wide tan/brown belt around it, my denim pencil skirt, black tights, my “Waldorf” sequined houndstooth pumps from Oh deer shoes (http://www.amazon.com/Deer-Womens-Waldorf-Pump-Bandana/dp/B0015SFI7G/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1229835061&sr=1-13) and my black knit beret.
Laura Britani
I love, love, love the fuchsia-colored peep toe pumps. And it’s absolutely cheap too. It will be an eye candy especially when you do wear it with a grey-black themed ensemble. The Top Shop peep toes is an adorable footwear! It’s both classy and elegant. It’s way out of my budget but I wouldn’t mind investing on it. It will go with a lot of evening wear ensembles.
la petite fashionista
i’m a big fan of LBD’s for holiday parties accessorized in different ways. It’s amazing how different they can look with a top over it or a statement making necklace:)
Asley
Great tips, thanks!
Jenn
I work as a visual merchandiser at F21 and we recently had to wear all black to work… something I do not like to do. I came up with an outift very similar to this (dress is from F21 and sooo pretty) and figured it could also work very well for a Holiday get together with friends. Let me know what you think!
Winter Wonderland by Juno89
((Hope this works!!)
aish
i know xmas is over but im tottally loving the 2nd one.
aish
*totally
francine
totally love the retro-chic-outfit! it’s great how you pair classic looks with this special pop of color. really really love your articles :)