Most Flattering Holiday Dresses

‘Tis the season to party! Right now I am madly searching for the best holiday party dresses this season. From the usual holiday events to fall weddings, all my clients are in need of flattering holiday dresses. And I personally never pass up an excuse to acquire a new party frock. I recommend you also start shopping for your festive looks now. If you wait, you’ll end up settling on a new dress you don’t love or a dress you already own that doesn’t feel exciting.

I get all kinds of holiday dress requests from my clients, but mostly, my clients just want to be comfortable and not feel like they have to suck in their bellies or worry about their back fat. Here is what I look for when shopping for flattering holiday dresses:

• Scoop necks or v-necks
• Ruching
• A-line skirt hems
• Fit + flare silhouettes
• Stretchy fabrics
• Thicker or layered fabrics

Best Colors for Holiday Dresses

Red is my personal favorite holiday dress color, but numerous colors make sense for this party season. Here are a few of the other colors I love for holiday dresses:

• Burgundy
• Hunter green
• Emerald green
• Ivory
• Purple
• Metallic (silver, rose gold, gold)
• Navy

Buying Multiple Holiday Party Dresses

Generally, I recommend my clients buy at least three holiday dresses or outfits. If you don’t end up wearing one of the dresses over the holidays, chances are a random event will come up in the next few months that requires a fresh frock. There is always a wedding, gala, charity event, or surprise occasion that comes up. For my clients who think I’m overzealous, I encourage them to purchase their holiday dresses from a store with a fantastic return policy (I am looking at you Nordstrom and Zappos.) And come January (or June!) if you still don’t need the extra dress, or don’t like it anymore, you can return it without issue.

Styling Tip! If you need shoes to go with your holiday dress, check out my posts on the most comfortable pumps and the best silver heels and gold heels. If flats are more your style, I also have a post on dressy flats that work with cocktail dresses.

Best Holiday Party Dresses This Season

Below are all the best holiday party dresses I’ve come across this year while shopping for myself and my clients. I’ll continue to update it with fresh flattering dresses as I encounter them…

DKNY Sequin Long Sleeve Velvet Minidress

Available at Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Dillard’s.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 95% rayon, 5% spandex

BOSS Fireanami Shimmer Sweater Dress with Plissé Skirt

Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Dillard’s.

Sizing: XS-XXL

Material: 32% virgin wool, 32% acrylic, 14% polyamide, 13% polyester, 7% metallic fibers, 2% elastane with 100% polyester skirt

Endless Rose Floral Lace Long Sleeve Minidress

Available at Nordstrom and Belk.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 100% polyester

Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Farfetch, Garmentory, and Simon Miller.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 65% viscose, 35% nylon

Available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: 74% polyurethane, 21% viscose, 5% polyester

PAIGE Ysabel Long Sleeve Leopard Velvet Burnout Dress

Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Shopbop, Anthropologie, and PAIGE.

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 75% viscose, 25% silk

LIONESS Steinway Belted Long Sleeve Blazer Minidress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 60% viscose, 40% rayon

Dress the Population Catalina Fit & Flare Cocktail Dress

This is another dress that is working on all sorts of clients. The red flatters almost everyone, and the dress has good support for your breasts if you go braless, yet also has enough coverage for a bra as well.

Available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Amazon.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 97% polyester, 3% spandex

STAUD Raquel Metallic Knit Holiday Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and STAUD.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 45% polyester, 27% metallic, 26% nylon, 2% elastane

Ever New Danica Belted Long Sleeve Minidress

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: 0-14

Material: 78% viscose, 22% polyester

Madewell Floral Long Sleeve Mini Shirtdress

This is one of the most casual party dresses on the list!

Available at Nordstrom and Madewell.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 64% rayon, 36%viscose

Endless Rose Fringe Midi Sweater Dress

Available at Nordstrom and Belk.

Sizing: XS-L

Material: 85% viscose, 15% nylon

Banana Republic Soraya Midi Dress

Available at Banana Republic.

Sizing: 0-20, also available in petite

Material: shell: 51% rayon, 42% nylon, 7% elastane; linin: 100% polyester

Aidan Mattox Ruffled Off-the-Shoulder Dress

This dress is well-rated for a reason. And I love a black dress that actually stands out. Wear this to a more formal dinner or cocktail party. It has built-in support so you don’t need to wear a bra with it.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: 0-10

Material: polyester, spandex, silk

Mac Duggal Ruched Jersey Gown

Mac Duggal makes some of my favorite formal gowns, and that ruching is a godsend. This dress also has built-in support so you don’t need to wear a bra with it.

Available at Mac Duggal.

Sizing: 0-20

Material: 100% polyester

A.L.C. Renzo Pleated Midi Dress

ALC is one of my favorite brands. They make simple items that look and feel amazing. For those of you who love black, but don’t want to be boring, you must try this very comfortable ALC frock.

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopbop, Revolve, Amazon, and A.L.C..

Sizing: 00-14

Material: 100% polyester

Ieena for Mac Duggal High-Low One-Shoulder Gown

This asymmetrical deep rose frock is one of my favorite gowns of the year. Please tell me you have an occasion to wear this? Or, just make the occasion will ya? You must wear this, please.

Available at Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: 0-6

Material: 100% polyester

Diane von Furstenberg Anne Floral-Print Stretch-Mesh Maxi Dress

Available at The Outnet.

Sizing: XXS-XL, runs huge, order 2 sizes down

Material: 100% nylon

NBD Alyn Mini Party Dress

I wore this dress for a witchy vibe at my Halloween party. I love how versatile and flattering it is and can’t wait to style it for holiday parties as well. It also comes in a gorgeous red color.

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: self: 63% rayon, 33% nylon, 4% elastane; lining: 90% polyester, 10% elastane

For Love & Lemons Carla Maxi Dress

Available at Revolve and Shopbop.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: self: 100% polyester; lining: 90% polyester, 10% spandex

NBD Mila Embellished Mini Holiday Party Dress

This dress is a great idea for a New Year’s Eve outfit!

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: self: 97% nylon, 3% spandex; lining: 82% nylon, 18% spandex

L’IDEE De Luxe Mini Dress

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: XS-XL, runs huge, order. sizes down

Material: 100% polyester

See more chic sweater dresses in my post, How To Style A Midi Sweater Dress.

Available at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus.

Sizing: S-XL

Material: 51% viscose, 28% nylon, 21% polyester

Farm Rio Blossom Tapestry Long Sleeve Wrap Dress

You know Farm Rio is one of my favorite brands, so it should come as no surprise that I love their gorgeous patterns for holiday dresses.

Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Farm Rio.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 55% rayon, 45% viscose

TOCCIN Jacqueline Midi Dress

Available at Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 84% rayon, 16% polyester

Tadashi Shoji Ryah Metallic Twist Drape Gown

This is a gorgeous and flattering plus-sized holiday gown for more formal events.

Available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Sizing: 1X-4X

Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex

Amanda Uprichard Chalice Party Dress

Available at Revolve, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopbop, Amazon, and Amanda Uprichard.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% polyester

Rhode Luke Dress

Available at Revolve.

Sizing: 0-12

Material: self: 100% viscose; lining: 100% polyester

Vince Camuto Ruched Velvet Sheath

This dress is available at Saks Off 5th.

Sizing: 2-14

House of Harlow 1960 x REVOLVE Sabrina Dress

Sizing: XXS-XL, this dress runs large, order 1-2 sizes down.

HELSI Crystal Kisses Strapless Minidress

Sizing: XS-XL

Rumer Tropez Mini Dress

Sizing: XS-L

Dress the Population Catalina Fit & Flare Cocktail Dress

This flattering holiday dress is available at Nordstrom, Amazon, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Karen Kane Fit & Flare Sweater Dress

This flattering holiday dress is available at Dillard’s and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XL

Dressy Group Wrap Satin Maxi Dress

Sizing: 00-30WXL

Karen Kane Scalloped Lace Cocktail Dress

This dress is available at Nordstrom, Belk, and Dillard’s.

Sizing: XS-XL

Kiyonna Whimsy Wrap Dress

This dress is available at Nordstrom, Amazon, Macy’s, Belk, Kiyonna, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: XS-XL

Dress the Population Iris Spaghetti Strap Plunging Long Dress

This dress is available at Amazon, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Dress The Population.

Sizing: XXS-3X

Eliza J Pleated Keyhole Cutout A-Line Dress

Sizing: 2-14

STAUD Wells Dress

This flattering dress is available at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopbop, and Nordstrom.

Sizing: 00-16

Flattering Holiday Dresses From Years Past

I originally wrote this post on the best holiday dresses years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.

ASTR The Label Lace A-Line Midi Dress

This flattering holiday dress by ASTR is the same dress I’m wearing in the photos, just in a deep burgundy shade. And can I just add that this dress is incredibly versatile and can work for the holidays and beyond. I call it my magic dress for its ability to work for multiple events, including weddings (as you can see here).

Helsi Riley Embroidered Deep V-Neck Mesh Mini Dress

Sizing: XS-XL

Tanya Taylor Metallic Fringe-Embroidered Midi Skirt

Sizing: 0-14

WAYF Long Sleeve Sequin Cocktail Dress

Sequins aren’t just for New Year’s Eve. The hunter green color of this flattering maxi dress gives it a festive vibe for the holidays.

Sizing: XS-XL

 Original photography of French Connection and Farm Rio dresses by Lissa Haby

ASTR red dress photography by Kris Davidson in conjunction with National Geographic. Location: The Pendry Hotel, Make-up: Antonella Annibale