What to Wear to a Christmas Party: Outfits for Every Kind of Do
Before you decide what to wear to a Christmas party, think about the venue, the crowd and how long you will be standing. For most parties the answer is a rich colour, a little shine and a pair of shoes you can still stand in at eleven o'clock.
December fills up fast in Inverness, and plenty of us have three or four parties to dress for. A couple of pieces that work hard will go further than a new outfit for every night.
- A quick guide by dress code
- The dinner dance
- The work Christmas party
- Drinks and dinner with friends
- Shoes, bags and a warm layer
- Frequently asked questions
What to wear to a Christmas party: a quick guide by dress code
- Black tie or dinner dance: a midi or maxi dress in velvet, satin or sequins
- Work party: a sparkly top or shirt with tailored trousers, or a simple dress with one statement detail
- Drinks with friends: dark denim or cord with a sequin top and a good boot
- Daytime lunch: a knit dress or smart separates with a little shine in the jewellery
If the invitation gives no clue, aim one step smarter than you think. It is easier to take a jacket off than to wish you had made more effort.
The dinner dance
This is the night for a proper dress. Rich colours look better than black under low lighting, so think berry, burgundy, emerald and deep navy. Velvet is warm and catches the light softly, which suits a Highland December.
The Georgia maxi in rich burgundy sequin lace has a high split, so it moves on the dance floor without riding up. If maxi length feels too much, the Donna in berry beaded velvet is a midi with an asymmetric neckline and the same festive colour. There are more evening styles in our occasion wear.
The work Christmas party
The office party is the hardest to judge. You want to look as if you have made an effort without looking like you are heading somewhere else afterwards.
Separates solve this. A shirt with sequinned sleeves is smart enough for a sit-down meal and festive enough for the bar later. Alison Sheri makes one in black and one in off white, both with crisp poplin bodies and sequin lattice sleeves.
- Wear it tucked into wide leg trousers with a heeled boot
- Leave it open over a black cami with a satin skirt
- Button it up with straight trousers if the venue is formal
You can see more in our Alison Sheri collection.
Drinks and dinner with friends
Something relaxed, with a bit of shine. Dark denim or a good cord trouser with a sequin or metallic top is hard to beat, and it carries on into January for birthday dinners. Add a heeled ankle boot and a statement earring.
This is also a good time to wear a dress more than once. The berry velvet midi looks completely different with a chunky knit and boots than with heels and a clutch.
Shoes, bags and a warm layer
Nobody remembers your shoes, but everyone remembers you limping by midnight. Choose a heel you can stand in for three hours, or a block heel if there is dancing.
- A small clutch big enough for a phone, a lipstick and a taxi card
- A warm coat or faux fur jacket for the walk between door and car
- One piece of jewellery that catches the light, not five
Our dresses sit alongside shoes, bags and jackets in the shop, so you can put the whole outfit together in one visit.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to a work Christmas party?
Aim for smart with a festive touch. A sequin or metallic top with tailored trousers works for most office parties, especially if there is a meal first and drinks afterwards. A simple dress with one statement detail, such as a sparkly sleeve or a velvet finish, is another easy option. Avoid anything you would not want your manager to remember, and choose shoes you can stand in all evening.
What colours are best for a Christmas party?
Rich, deep colours suit the season and look good under low lighting. Berry, burgundy, emerald, deep navy and plum are all festive without being obvious. Metallics and sequins in silver or gold add sparkle, and black is always safe if you lift it with texture or shine. Pale pastels can look washed out in candlelit venues, so save them for spring weddings.
Can I wear trousers to a Christmas party?
Absolutely. Wide leg trousers in a fluid fabric look elegant at a dinner dance, especially with a sparkly top or a sequin shirt. For a work party or drinks, tailored trousers or a smart cord with a festive top are comfortable and stylish. Trousers also make sense in a Highland December, when the walk from car to venue can be cold and wet.
How can I make one outfit work for several Christmas parties?
Choose a dress or top in a rich colour and change everything around it. A velvet midi can be dressed up with heels and a clutch for a dinner dance, then worn with boots and a chunky knit for drinks with friends. A sequin shirt works tucked into wide leg trousers one night and open over a cami with a skirt the next. Changing shoes, bag and jewellery is often enough.
Do I need an appointment to shop for a party outfit?
No, you are welcome to come into Rouge Boutique at 71 Castle Street, Inverness, and browse. An appointment helps in the busy weeks before Christmas, because our team can have a few outfits ready in your size when you arrive. We carry party dresses, sequin and velvet pieces, smart separates, shoes, bags and jackets under one roof, so it is easy to put the whole look together in one visit.
Written by Tania Korad-Kennedy
Tania Korad-Kennedy opened Rouge Boutique on Castle Street in Inverness in 2014. She and her team dress women across the Highlands for weddings and special occasions, and offer bra fitting in store.
