Holiday Party Outfits: What to Wear to Every Party This Season

A holiday party outfit is whatever lets you shine without trying too hard: one piece in a festive fabric, such as sequins, velvet, lurex jacquard and silk, set against simple everything else, and pitched to the dress code on the invitation. Shop our Christmas party dresses, the designer dresses edit and the evening pieces from Johanna Ortiz Fall Winter 2026.

The season brings four kinds of invitation, and each one has a different answer. Here is what to wear to each, then the fabrics that do the work.

What to wear, invitation by invitation

The holiday fabrics

Sequins give the most shine and the most movement; the Johanna Ortiz Rebellious Dress is finished in sequins that catch light without heavy glare. Velvet gives depth; the devore of the Effortless Muse Dress, 62% viscose and 38% silk, shows a palm motif against a sheer ground; see our velvet dresses guide. Lurex jacquard weaves metallic thread into the pattern, so it shines quietly; read what lurex is. Shiny jersey has a soft sheen and needs no ironing, which makes it the easiest party fabric to travel with.

Holiday party pieces to shop

1. Johanna Ortiz Garden Of Becoming Dress

Organic vine sequin with embroidery tracing the surface like a night garden, a single draped sleeve extending into a fluid panel, approximately 115 cm. Made in India. The New Year’s Eve dress.

2. Johanna Ortiz Rebellious Dress

A sequin maxi that falls cleanly from shoulder to floor. Black tie, with almost no effort.

3. Johanna Ortiz Playful Grace Dress in Green and Rose

A shiny jersey mini with removable shoulder pads, approximately 41 cm long. The cocktail dress; add knee boots.

4. Johanna Ortiz Ideal Universe Dress

Engraved lurex jacquard, ankle length, with removable straps. Quiet shine for dinner.

5. Johanna Ortiz Festive Performance Dress

Shiny jersey in red, printed with a tropical floral, ankle length, with a tie closure. Red for the holidays.

6. LaPointe Mini Stretch Sequin Cape Tee in Black

Sequins as a top, with a cape back: wear it with wide-leg trousers to the office party.

7. Safiyaa Kareem Velvet Short Dress in Black

A structured black velvet short dress.

8. Rasario Velvet Corset Midi Dress with Lacing in Red

Red velvet, a corset bodice and lacing.

Finish the outfit

• Earrings. A high neck wants a big earring: the Johanna Ortiz Vivid Vibration Earrings in Metallic Gray, in glass stones and brass. More in statement earrings.
• Bag. A silk mochila with feathers and glass, such as the Verdant Spell Mochila in Black and Metallic Gray. See mochila bags and beaded bags.
• Layer. A cape keeps a gown intact on the way in; see capes for women.
• Trousers instead. Lurex and silk wide-leg trousers with a sequin top.

Holiday parties around the world

United States. Office parties in December, then New Year’s Eve: start with lurex, finish with sequins. United Kingdom. Christmas parties lean to velvet and red. Europe. Long family dinners on Christmas Eve call for silk and velvet, not sequins. The Gulf. Winter party season runs through December and New Year in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha; long sleeved sequin and lurex maxis give full shine with full coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What do you wear to a holiday party?

One piece in a festive fabric, such as sequins, velvet, lurex and silk, with simple everything else, pitched to the dress code: tailoring for the office, a short dress for cocktails, floor length for black tie.

What do you wear to an office holiday party?

Shine in one piece only: lurex trousers with a silk blouse, a sequin top with tailored trousers, and comfortable shoes.

Are sequins appropriate for a holiday party?

Yes, for cocktail parties, black tie and New Year’s Eve. For family dinners and daytime events, choose velvet and silk instead.

What colours are best for holiday parties?

Black, red, deep green, burgundy and metallics, which all read as festive under evening light.