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The 19 Best Holiday Party Dresses to Buy and Wear Right This Very Second

End the year on a stylish note

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best holiday party dresses 2023 UNI
Abby Hepworth for PureWow

‘Tis the season for all the parties, which means it’s also the season of shopping for all the best holiday party dresses a gal could ever want. We’re talking sequins, velvet, silk and tons of chic little black dresses to fit every style and budget. Whether you’re headed to a festive cookie exchange, your office work party or an all-out rager with friends, we’ve got you covered—here, 19 of the best dresses to wear to every fête on your calendar.

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The Best Holiday Party Dresses at a Glance

1

Best Midi Dress

Anthropologie Metallic Cutout Midi Dress

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2

Best Mini Dress

Tuckernuck Red Fil Coupe Palmerston Dress

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3

Inspired by Princess Diana

Norma Kamali Tara Ruched Midi Dress

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4

Best Off-the-Shoulder Dress

Lulus Always Celebrating Mini Dress

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5

Best Shirtdress

Flat White Sequin Tunic Dress

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What Are Some Current Holiday Dress Trends?

There are three main trends breaking through the sea of sequins and velvet this holiday season. First, and perhaps the easiest one to wear, is metallics. Gold, silver, bronze, rose gold, really any shade and variation will do, as will any fabric. You can go for a more obvious sequin frock, or try a lightweight gold lamé or even a glittering silver velvet. Next is more modest silhouettes with an edgy twist. For example, a crewneck dress with mid-length sleeves and a midi-length hem but is also form fitting or incorporates sections of sheer material. It’s a real “opposites attract” moment. And last, we have bow adornments and ties or belts that can be tied into bows. If you’re worried about this trend looking too juvenile, try balancing it with something more overtly sexy or grown-up, like knotting a velvet ribbon around the waist of a slinky slip dress or tucking a bow top into a pair of wide-leg trousers.

How We Chose the Best Holiday Party Dresses

All of the dresses below were pulled straight from the wishlists of PureWow’s most stylish editors, and come highly reviewed by shoppers, too. We included a mix of trendy and timeless designs to fit all different aesthetics, with prices ranging from less than $50 to just under $500

I’m a Shopping Editor & Here Are the 22 Items I’m Most Excited to Buy This Winter


Best Midi Dress

1. Anthropologie Metallic Cutout Midi Dress

Anthropologie

This stunning metallic midi uses strategic pleating to create a gorgeous silhouette with an asymmetrical hem that’s just asking for a spin on the dance floor. There is a smocked panel at the back, so the waistband will never pinch, and despite a fairly low neckline, this dress can be worn with a regular bra for added comfort and support.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XXS to 3X, also Petite

Best Mini Dress

2. Tuckernuck Red Fil Coupe Palmerston Dress

Tuckernuck

This best-selling cutie comes in multiple colors and patterns, but we’re partial to this vibrant red-and-pink floral print that can be styled to work for just about any season. For the holidays, pair it with jewel tones, shades of silver and other overtly wintery textures like velvet or tartan. P.S. Reviews say this dress runs large, so if you’re between sizes, you may want to go with the smaller of the two.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XXS to XXXXL

Inspired by Princess Diana

3. Norma Kamali Tara Ruched Midi Dress

Norma Kamali

Have yourself a modern “revenge dress” moment with this form-fitting Norma Kamali midi. The material is quite stretchy to hug your curves in all the right places, and the neckline is adjustable so you can style it tolay off the shoulders, or pull it up to hide your bra straps; you can even wear it backwards for a sexy low-back moment. Reviewers say it runs true to size, but note that the care tag says this dress should only be hand washed (not dry cleaned or machine washed).

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to XL

Best Off-the-Shoulder Dress

4. Lulus Always Celebrating Mini Dress

Lulus

The satin-finish emerald material makes this dress feel classic, while the shorter asymmetrical hemline gives it an undeniably modern touch. It also has a zipper up the back to make it easy to get in and out of, and the top fully covers a strapless bra, although some reviewers found they were able to forgo a bra altogether. As for sizing, some taller shoppers say the dress was a bit too short for their taste, and most folks recommend sizing up one from your usual for the best fit.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to XL

Best Shirtdress

5. Flat White Sequin Tunic Dress

Flat White

 This sequin shirtdress comes in four colors and can be worn on its own as a minidress or layered over a longer skirt or pants for more coverage. It’s also fully lined, so you don’t have to worry about the sequins feeling scratchy against your skin. It is fairly short, so some reviewers found they were more comfortable going up one size from their usual, but otherwise this sparkly mini reportedly fits true to size.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XXS to 3X, also Petite

Most Splurge-Worthy

6. Sabina Musayev Ray Dress

Sabina Musayev

This gold stunner has been a best seller at Revolve for awhile now, and it’s very easy to see why. The gold color is flattering on any skin tone, and the bows on the shoulders are right on trend for 2024. The neckline is also adjustable with a hidden hook-and-eye closure if you’d rather not go quite so low. The material is reportedly very comfortable, with a decent amount of stretch, and the dress appears to fit true to size.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to XL

Best Two-in-One

7. Lulus Sweater & Slip Dress Set

Lulus

We love a good two-in-one moment. This Lulus pick comes with a midi slip dress and a matching open-weave knit you can layer on top, or you can pair either piece with other items from your closet. The dress has adjustable straps and can be worn with a strapless bra, and the sweater has a super-flattering slightly cropped cut.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to XL

Best Velvet Dress

8. Reformation Jamen Knit Dress

Reformation

You can never go wrong with velvet for the holidays, but we particularly love the unexpected color of this draped-shoulder midi from Reformation. It has a pullover design, and while the neckline is fixed, you can easily wear a strapless bra underneath. It’s designed for a form-fitting silhouette, and the fabric has a decent amount of stretch (6 percent spandex, to be exact), but if you prefer something a little less snug, you may want to go up one size.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to XL

Best Lace Dress

9. Farm Rio Guipure Maxi Dress

Farm Rio

Lace will always make for a fabulously festive pick. This particular shade of green looks flattering on all skin tones, and offers a break from the typical black, metallic and red you see this time of year. The high neckline also allows you to wear a regular T-shirt bra underneath, while the sheer sleeves prevent the dress from looking too dowdy or heavy. It's a timeless winner in our books.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XXS to XL

This retro-inspired LBD is a great pick for more casual fêtes and is made from Anthroplogie’s proprietary Magic Fabric that is specifically designed to stretch and sculpt your figure for an ultra-flattering silhouette. Reviewers say the dress fits like a dream, although some found it ran a little large. It’s also machine washable for easy care and there is a zipper up the back to make it easy to get in and out of.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XXS to 3X, also Petite

Best Sequin Maxi

11. Eloquii Dolman Sleeve Sequin Dress

Eloquii

We came for the silver sequins, but stayed for the glamorous Old Hollywood silhouette. This stunning midi is fully lined, has a zipper up the back and is bra-friendly, too. “I was a little worried about the sleeves,” writes one reviewer, “but once I put it on—pure elegance! The material has a nice weight, well put together.” Most reviewers also note that this dress fits true to size. (P.S. Use code EQWINTER to score 60 percent off through December 16.)

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: US 14 to 28

Best Plaid Dress

12. Hill House Home Constance Dress

Hill House Home

Hill House Home has a series of gorgeous plaid dresses to shop from, but this tartan midi is our favorite for two reasons. First is the posh silhouette with puff sleeves and a cinched waist. Reviewers say it runs true to size, although some note that the material doesn’t have very much stretch to it, so if you're between sizes, you’ll likely be better off with the larger of the two. The second reason we’re so obsessed? The timeless pattern can easily be dressed up or down to fit any occasion and will stay in style for years to come.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XXS to XXL

Rainbow Embellishment

13. Never Fully Dressed Multi Sparkle Azealia Dress

Never Fully Dressed

For a colorful twist on metallics, try this rainbow-dotted mini with sheer sleeves and a keyhole neckline. There’s a ruffle running along the bottom of the skirt for some added flair, and the back is open for a hint of sexiness to balance the high neckline. Never Fully Dressed usually fits true to size, but we recommend confirming with the size chart before you order.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: US 2 to 24

Best Color Combo

14. Intimately FP Country Side Slip Dress

Free People

Red and pink make for such a romantic color combination, especially when you throw in a heavy dose of lace. The straps on this maxi slip dress are adjustable in back, and the dainty bow detail in front can be tied however you like. There’s also a slit on the side to make it easier to walk and dance.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to XL

Inspired by Bridgerton

15. Reformation Silves Dress

Reformation

Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida has had her eye on this Reformation mini for ages and may finally add it to her shopping cart for the holiday season. “It’s just so cute! The velvet ribbon at the waist ties in the back with a subtle nod to this season’s coquette-ish bow trend, and I think the shape is just super flattering.” We’re pretty obsessed with the square neckline and sheer sleeves, plus the back of the bodice is smocked for extra comfort.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: US 0 to 12

Best Slip Dress

16. J.Crew Collection Slip Dress

J.Crew

Slip dresses have been trending for some time now, but we appreciate that this one has a halter neckline rather than classic spaghetti straps. The straps are adjustable in the back and the viscose material has a bit of stretch to gently hug your curves. But really, it’s that stunning green hue that sold us on this classic dress. Style it with bold gold jewelry for more of a ’90s vibe, or add a red hairbow if you want to go more literal.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: US 00 to 24

Editor’s Pick

17. Rhode Arabella Dress

Rhode

This velvet midi puts a fun twist on the traditional winter fabric with a winding red and blue floral print that can work for multiple seasons. The silhouette can be worn with a regular T-shirt bra, and there’s a very flattering seam just under the bust to help create the illusion of an hourglass figure without cinching you in too tightly. Rhode dresses tend to run small, so we suggest going up one size (or maybe even two, given that the material has no stretch to it).

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: US 0 to 14

Best Floral Dress

18. Maggy London Floral Velvet Midi Dress

Maggy London

Another fun floral option, this pleated midi was made to move. The A-line skirt flows beautifully as you walk or dance, and the top has a gorgeous keyhole neckline for a subtly sexy touch. “The fabric is soft and velvety, [and the] colors are bright,” writes one reviewer. “So beautiful IRL!”

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: US 0 to 14

Best Sweater Dress

19. Line & Dot Alta Sweater Dress

Line & Dot

Who says you can’t be comfy and sexy at the same time? This ribbed-knit sweater dress has a boatneck fit up top that can be elegantly draped off one shoulder if you like, and a slit that goes up just high enough without feeling too scandalous. Reviewers also say it runs true to size. Dress it up with gold jewelry and some foxy lace-up heels, or keep things more casual with ankle booties and classic hoops.

FAST FACTS

  • Size Range: XS to L

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Editor

Abby Hepworth is an RRCA-certified running coach who has worked in fashion for over 10 years. Want to know what shoes are in this season? She's got you. Need recommendations on...

sarah stiefvater

Wellness Director

Sarah Stiefvater is PureWow's Wellness Director. She's been at PureWow for ten years, and in that time has written and edited stories across all categories, but currently focuses...

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