Christmas packs three dress codes into one week: the office party, Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas morning on the sofa. These five Christmas outfits each come in a dressy and a casual version, so one idea covers all three.
Before you choose, check what the invitation says. The decoder below translates the four dress codes you are most likely to see, and for everyday looks beyond the holidays, see these chic outfits you'll love.
What does the dress code mean?
Holiday invitations love the word festive. The Emily Post Institute's attire guide describes festive as cocktail party attire with a seasonal, festive holiday touch. Think a cocktail dress, a long dressy skirt with a top, dressy separates or a little black dress, in holiday colors if you like.
- Casual: nice jeans and a sweater. Outfits 2 and 3 in their casual versions fit here.
- Dressy casual: a dress, a skirt with a dressy top, or nice jeans with a dressy top. Try the velvet blazer or the green satin skirt.
- Festive: cocktail attire with a holiday touch. The velvet, emerald or sequin dress all work.
- Black tie optional: a floor-length gown, a dressy cocktail dress or dressy separates. For more choices, see these holiday dresses that steal the show.
When the invitation says nothing, dress one notch above what you would wear to that place on a normal day. Slightly overdressed rarely feels wrong at Christmas.
1. Velvet, the Christmas fabric.
Velvet catches candlelight, feels warm and looks festive without a single sequin. Deep red, emerald, navy and black all work.
Dressy: a red velvet dress.
A long-sleeve velvet dress in red or wine needs little else: sheer black tights, a heeled ankle boot and one pair of gold earrings.
Casual: a velvet blazer.
A black or deep green velvet blazer over a fine knit and dark jeans makes jeans feel like an occasion. Keep the shoes simple: a loafer or a clean ankle boot.
2. The Christmas sweater, grown up.
A red knit is the most Christmassy thing you can own, and it works at both ends of the week.
Dressy: red knit and a flared skirt.
Tuck a fine red sweater into a black skirt, then add tights and heeled boots. It is warm enough for a drafty restaurant and polished enough for the office party.
Casual: a novelty sweater, worn with intent.
A reindeer or Fair Isle sweater with camel trousers or dark jeans keeps the fun without looking like a costume. Let it be the only loud piece.
One good red sweater
I would rather own one good red sweater than three novelty ones. A solid red knit works from the office party to Christmas morning, while a novelty sweater gets one outing a year.
3. Tartan, from dinner to the tree farm.
Plaid is the print of the season, and the scale and fabric decide how dressy it reads.
Dressy: a tartan midi skirt.
A pleated tartan midi skirt with a black turtleneck and knee-high boots is classic, warm and right for a family dinner. Pick up one color from the plaid for your lipstick or nails.
Casual: a flannel shirt.
A plaid flannel shirt over a white tee, with jeans or leggings, covers Christmas morning, gift wrapping and a walk outside. Button it up, tuck it into a skirt, and it is ready for dinner. For more ways to wear one, see these shirt-jacket outfit ideas.
Heading to a tree farm or a Christmas market? Layers beat one heavy coat. The CDC's advice on dressing for cold weather is several layers of loose-fitting clothing, a hat, a scarf, gloves or mittens, and a water-resistant coat and boots.
4. Emerald and green satin.
Not everyone wants red. Emerald green says Christmas just as clearly, and it looks rich next to gold jewelry.
Dressy: an emerald dress.
A fitted, long-sleeve emerald dress fits a festive dress code without any red at all. Add gold earrings and a black or metallic clutch.
Casual: green satin and a cream knit.
A green satin midi skirt with an oversized cream sweater feels soft rather than stiff. Wear it with sneakers for brunch or with boots for dinner.
5. Sequins, day and night.
Sequins belong to December. Mix them with something plain and they look intentional instead of costume-like.
Dressy: a sequin dress.
A dark sequin mini dress with sheer tights and simple heels is made for the party. Skip the statement necklace, because the dress already sparkles.
Casual: a sequin top with jeans.
A sparkly top with straight jeans and flats is the house-party version. It also carries straight into these New Year's Eve outfit ideas.
My sparkle rule is one shiny piece per outfit. A sequin top with jeans looks intentional; sequins plus metallic shoes plus a glitter bag starts to look like a costume.
Check the label before you buy.
Christmas knits and velvet vary hugely in quality, and the label tells you more than the price tag. Under the FTC's textile and wool labeling rules, a US label must list every fiber that makes up 5% or more of the weight, by percentage, and wool must be named even below 5%.
So a sweater sold as soft and cozy that reads 100% acrylic is a different buy from one that is 70% wool.
Before you wash it
The FTC Care Labeling Rule requires at least one washing or dry-cleaning instruction, so read it before buying velvet or sequins you plan to wash at home.
Finish the look.
Plan the nails and jewelry after the outfit. These Christmas nail ideas match each look here, from wine red for velvet to quiet milky pink next to sequins.
Taking photos together? These cute couple photo ideas work well with matching plaid or coordinated red. And once Christmas is over, the same knits move straight into these chic winter outfits.
Christmas outfit questions, answered.
What should I wear to a casual Christmas party?
Dark jeans with a red or Fair Isle sweater, a flannel shirt with boots, or a sparkly top with jeans and flats. Add one festive detail, such as red lipstick or gold earrings, and you look dressed for the occasion without overdoing it.
What colors are best for Christmas outfits?
Red, deep green and gold are the classics, with navy, cream and black as easy partners. Jewel tones such as emerald and burgundy look rich in velvet and satin.
Can I wear black to a Christmas party?
Yes. A little black dress is one of the options etiquette guides list for a festive dress code. Add something seasonal, such as velvet, a red lip or gold jewelry.
