What to Wear for the Holiday Season: From Dinner Parties to New Year’s Eve

The Holiday Style Edit

Wondering what to wear for the holiday season? Start with the occasion: comfortable, polished separates for a holiday dinner; tailored trousers and a refined top for an office party; and a textured dress with a compact bag for New Year’s Eve. A rich color, interesting fabric, or beautiful accessory can make familiar pieces feel ready to celebrate.

Our holiday outfit guide brings together KIRA GRACE, ANATOMIE, ORYANY, ECOTORIE, JELAVU, and FLYING TOMATO for five different moments on your calendar. Think elegant silhouettes, room to move, and pieces you can wear again after the decorations come down.

Holiday dinner · Office party · Festive night out · Warm-weather holidays · New Year’s Eve

1. What to Wear to a Holiday Dinner: Black Separates, Burgundy Accents

For a dinner with family or friends, try a black turtleneck with flowing black trousers. The KIRA GRACE Grace Turtleneck and High Waist Wide Leg Pant in Black create a simple foundation that leaves room for your favorite jewelry. Both feature stretch, making them a thoughtful choice for a long evening around the table.

Add the JELAVU Grace Burgundy Crossbody Bag for a seasonal accent. Its structured shape and bamboo-inspired top handle bring a different texture to an otherwise understated outfit. Carry it by the handle for dinner, or use the crossbody strap when you need your hands free.

Why it works: A single dark color creates visual continuity, while burgundy adds warmth. Finish with small gold earrings and polished flats from your wardrobe.

2. What to Wear to an Office Holiday Party: Tailored Ease

An office celebration calls for an outfit that feels appropriate during the day and special enough for the evening. Pair the ANATOMIE Mita Wide Leg Pant in Black with the Matilda Top in White. Mita’s pull-on waistband and stretch ponte fabric offer ease, while Matilda’s Mandarin collar and concealed button front keep the combination polished.

The ECOTORIE Johnson Shoulder Bag in Black is a practical choice when you are going straight from work to the party. Its larger silhouette makes more sense for a workday than a tiny evening bag. Add a blazer from your closet if your workplace is formal, then introduce a favorite pair of earrings for the celebration.

Why it works: Clean black-and-white separates balance professionalism and occasion dressing. Choose a smaller bag instead if the invitation specifies cocktail attire.

3. What to Wear for a Festive Night Out: Champagne with a Dark Accent

For a restaurant celebration or drinks with friends, the FLYING TOMATO Gilded Rose Woven Midi Dress brings occasion dressing into focus. Its champagne color, textured fabric, wide neckline, and circle skirt offer interest without needing an elaborate styling plan.

Pair it with the ORYANY Lottie Croco Saddle Crossbody in Black. The compact silhouette and croc-embossed texture add definition against the lighter dress. If you prefer flat shoes, the JELAVU Blair Penny Loafer Ballet Flat in Black gives the outfit a polished, grounded finish.

Why it works: Champagne feels celebratory, while black accessories keep the look balanced. Keep jewelry restrained so the dress’s texture remains the focus. In colder weather, add an evening coat and closed-toe shoes.

4. What to Wear for the Holidays in Florida: Light Color, Natural Texture

Celebrating somewhere warm? You can dress for the season without heavy layers. Restyle the FLYING TOMATO Gilded Rose Woven Midi Dress with the JELAVU Shelie Gems Crossbody Bag for a coastal holiday lunch or an outdoor dinner. The bag’s shell-shaped rattan body and colorful gem handle bring a playful, natural contrast to the dress.

Use your own minimal sandals for a relaxed outdoor setting, and bring a light wrap for a breezy evening or air-conditioned restaurant. Keep the rest of your accessories simple; the handle already provides a decorative detail.

Why it works: A lighter palette and natural texture suit the setting while still feeling dressed for an occasion. Reusing the same dress with a different bag also makes a holiday travel wardrobe easier to plan.

5. What to Wear on New Year’s Eve: The Black Dress with Texture

If your New Year’s Eve plans call for a dressier look, start with the ANATOMIE Colette Mesh Overlay Dress. Its jersey underlay, long mesh sleeves, maxi length, and side slits create a layered silhouette with movement and texture.

Add the ORYANY Bell Shoulder Bag in Deep Green for a rich color accent, or choose the black Lottie Croco Crossbody from our festive-night edit for a tonal combination. Finish with one focal accessory from your jewelry collection, such as sculptural earrings, and shoes suited to the venue and the time you will spend standing.

Why it works: Mesh and layered fabric bring interest to black without requiring sequins. This is a dinner or evening-party suggestion; for a black-tie event, follow the invitation’s formal dress requirements.

A Simple Formula for Holiday Dressing

Choose one foundation, one focal point, and shoes you will enjoy wearing. A black trouser outfit can take on a new mood with a burgundy bag; a champagne dress can move from coastal lunch to evening dinner with a change of accessories. Try the full look on before the event, including your coat, bag, and shoes.

Holiday Outfit Questions, Answered

Can I wear pants to a holiday party?

Yes. For many dinner parties and office celebrations, wide-leg or tailored pants with a refined top are an elegant choice. Check the invitation for any specific dress code.

How can I look festive without wearing sequins?

Use a rich color, textured fabric, or a distinctive accessory. Burgundy, deep green, champagne, croc-embossed leather, and mesh can all add interest without an all-over sparkle look.

What should I wear to a casual holiday dinner?

A comfortable turtleneck, flowing trousers, and polished flats are an easy starting point. Add a structured bag or a favorite piece of jewelry to make the outfit feel intentional.

What should I wear for a warm-weather holiday celebration?

Try a sleeveless midi dress with a small bag and sandals appropriate to the venue. Bring a light layer for cooler evenings and indoor air conditioning.

Do I need a new outfit for every event?

No. Repeat a well-fitting foundation and change the accessories. Our champagne dress appears in two edits to show how one piece can work for different settings.

Find your holiday combination. Explore the pieces above and choose the colors, sizes, and silhouettes that fit your plans.

For more outfit inspiration, read our JELAVU and KIRA GRACE outfit guide.

Product and size availability may change. Select your preferred color and size on each product page. Jewelry, wraps, coats, and sandals mentioned as styling suggestions are from your own wardrobe unless linked above.