23 Holiday Party Dresses That Will Have You Shining Bright Like a Diamond

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Confession: I have exactly zero holiday parties to attend this year. I was laid off from my job (cross “festive work gathering” off my calendar!), our nearest family members are in their 80s and I can’t say that I’ve met many local Florida gals since moving here in March. But that doesn’t mean I’m not (window) shopping for the best holiday party dresses around! After all, since when have I ever needed an excuse to dress up? The frocks in my closet outnumber the occasions tenfold (I’ll need ‘em someday, right?), and if we’re being honest, they’re far more exciting to buy than any boring old basic. (What can I say, I’m a maximalist?)

This year’s party wear is filled with bows (I called it!), the trending color of the moment (it’s red, in case you’ve been living under a rock) and plenty of glitz and glam. (This liquid gold Norma Kamali number, $225, is basically the equivalent of human wrapping paper.)

I dug through the virtual aisles, as I’m wont to do, to find the shiniest, most festive, joy-inducing frocks of the bunch that I’m adding to my pre-Christmas wish list. (And if you’re so inclined, you can also add them to your shopping cart, too.) Below, the 23 best holiday party dresses of the season.

The Best Holiday Party Dresses of 2024

1. Anthropologie The Maya Dress

Scarlet is red-hot this year, and with the added sequin elements provided by this LRD (that’s little red dress, ICYWW), it’s got all the makings of a standout holiday ‘fit. The cap sleeves will be flattering even if you’ve been slacking on your planks (guilty), and it has options for petite (!) and plus-sizes, too.

2. French Connection Whisper Dress

Bows have all but taken over in 2023, and they don’t appear to be going anywhere in 2024. But that’s only one part of why I’m salivating over this black-and-white contrasting version. The straps are removable, so us small-chested gals won’t have to worry about the top falling down every five seconds. It’s also lined with a bit of stretch, so you won’t feel like a stuffed sausage in a casing while wearing it—something that’s very important when you’re headed to a holiday party, where you’re liable to eat and drink to your heart’s content. Better yet, it’s on sale. (You’re welcome.)

3. Bardot Off-Shoulder Dress

Not exactly the sequin type? Meet my dear friend velvet. Festive without being over-the-top, it checks off all the holiday dress code requirements without making you look like a goddamn disco ball. The cranberry hue will perfectly complement the Christmas tree, and the corset top will make your waist look “snatched,” as the kids say. Pro styling tip: Add a hair bow to really set the look off.

4. St. Louis Velvet Dress Es

Does this look like something straight out of an ‘80s prom? Absolutely. Is that also why I love it so much? Absolutely. Between the velvet top and the poufed-out bottom, I can easily see it on Romy or Michele—but dammit, they looked fierce. The flared cut of the skirt will do wonders for wider hips (trust me, I would know), and it comes in larger sizes too. Even better? Alterations are apparently now free of charge at Reformation—amazing news for the 5 foot 1 set (aka, me).

5. Delfi Collective Sequin Dress

This one is practically screaming “New Year’s Eve” with its next-level wattage: Sure, it’s got your classic silver sequins, but it ups the ante a bit by leaning into the rosette fad of the moment. It’s also short enough to show off your gams, but not so short that you’ll be tugging it down over your ass all night. (Ladies, you know exactly what I’m talking about.) Like most sequin dresses, it’s not exactly washer-friendly, but I’d be willing to go the extra mile to look this good. *Hair flip.*

6. Yumi Kim Ariana Dress

What’s sexy, red and sequined all over? This strapless number from Yumi Kim. It’s got a mature midi length that lends an air of elegance and it’s fully lined, so you won’t have to worry about your undergarments peeking through. You’ll have to wait until Valentine’s Day to show this baby off, however—it’s backordered through Jan. 11. (Worth the wait, if you ask me.)

7. New York & Company Rosette Dress

I’m going to say something controversial here: Don’t sleep on New York & Company. Back in the day, it might have conjured up images of women in casual contempo businesswear, but in the last five years or so, it’s gotten incredibly chic. Case in point? This gorgeous strapless piece with ivory rosette detailing down one side that buyers say is even better in person. It looks like a $300 dress, but it’s currently $36 whole dollars. HOW? I have no idea, but if they had my size left, I’d be snatching it up in a heartbeat.

8. Sachin & Bibi Desdemona Gown

This is the end-all, be-all of holiday party dresses. (It’s also over $1,000, but that’s beside the point.) If you’re truly seeking a “Gone With the Wind fabulous” frock (real ones know), this. Is. It. It’s got glamour. (Just look at that bejeweled bib collar!) Drama. (That Mikado silk skirt? Come on.) It’s even supposedly comfortable, thanks to the four-way stretch top that will give you a little extra breathing room. It’s probably not great for shorties like myself (the model is 5 foot 9 inches tall) but hey, a girl can dream.

9. Wild Fable Sequin Fringe Dress

This one’s both cheap and cheerful, which is not only one hell of a Kills song, but a powerful combination to a woman on a budget. Its sequin fringe will be just the right touch when the ball drops, and it can pull double duty in your closet long after the clock strikes midnight, since you can fold the top down and wear it out as a skirt. Add in the fact that it’s super stretchy (read: comfy), and you’ve got a win-win-win.

10. Reformation Lanesia Dress

The nice thing about a sumptuous fabric like velvet is that you’re not bound to red, green or metallics—it looks merry in just about any color—like, say, Sugar Plum pink. I’m also a big fan of the smocked bodice on this Reformation dress that will help to keep the strapless top in place. (Can you tell this is a common concern for me?) The little rosettes (sense a theme?) are also a nice touch.

11. For Love & Lemons Delphina Dress

For Love & Lemons is one of my favorite brands. Every piece the company designs is a little work of art (I’m the proud owner of the Daphne), and this one is no exception. It’s all in the details, see: Rosettes? Check. Oversized bow? Double check. Throw in the delicate tulle trim and subtle polka-dot print, and you’ve got a bonafide masterpiece. Lest you should worry about it being too sheer, there’s also a detachable bodysuit underneath. Genius!

12. Alice & Olivia Fay Dress

Stacey Bendet is fucking fabulous in every sense of the word, and so are most things she creates. Take her Fay dress here: Its metallic jacquard print is as fancy as they come, and the oversized tie straps give it that little extra *sumthin’ sumthin’.* As I mentioned above, I’m also a big fan of that fit-and-flare cut, which helps to balance out pear shapes like mine.

13. Anna October x J.Crew Side-Slit Dress

J.Crew may not have Jenna Lyons at its helm anymore (*tear*), but it still has some *very* worthwhile gems among its virtual racks. (See: this Anna October collab.) The perfect shade of holiday burgundy, it’s understated without being boring, thanks to the double side slits, zig-zag stitching and peekaboo bra shelf. The silky fabric will also lend itself well to showing off your curves, if you’ve got ‘em.

14. AllSaints Juliette Dress

Know what’s not festive? Freezing. If you, like me, were blessed with ice for blood, you’ll appreciate this piece from AllSaints, which will keep you warm and cozy with its long sleeves and turtleneck while still offering up plenty of holiday cheer. (With its tree-like color and silver threading, how could it not?) The practical among us will also appreciate its elevated cost per wear, which will be far lower than some of the occasion pieces on this list.

15. Norma Kamali Diana Dress

Presumably named for the late royal who regularly donned the one-shoulder style, this dress comes in a myriad of colors, but it’s the pure liquid gold that’s by far the most arresting. Wear it, and you’ll be the Christmas present, the star on the tree, the champagne bottle, the whole nine. The ruching will be flattering to your tummy area (always a plus), and there’s an attached bodysuit inside to keep things nice and streamlined.

16. Maeve Bow Dress

Oh, you thought I was over-exaggerating when I said bows. Are. EVERYWHERE? Not in the slightest. Here, we have the oversized back bow, which makes this dress just appealing going as it is coming. Though it’s made of polyester, it also has that tweed look that Chanel and Blair Waldorf would approve of—two women whose style I greatly admire.

17. Amor Mia Claudia Dress

Another nod to the 80’s? (What can I say? It’s kind of my vibe.) This tube dress comes with unattached arm sleeves complete with faux pearl-embellished thumbholes that looks ripped straight off of Meryl Streep in Death Becomes Her. (SUCH a classic). There are also pearl-like embellishments to helpfully outline the bust area (so cheeky!), and it has a bit of spandex for stretch.

18. Elliatt Carson Dress

This one’s magic is all in the draping. (And yeah, OK, also that traffic-stopping red.) A bit more covered up, it’s a good pick for a work event or a gathering with your in-laws, but the asymmetrical shoulder and hemline keep it from being matronly, so you’ll still standout in those holiday photos. Having worn the shorter version (also a good holiday party dress pick), to a wedding a few summers back, I can also vouch for the brand’s quality.

19. Lulus Living It Dress

I’m a big fan of ruching. It just has a way of hiding the not-so-flattering areas you don’t want people focusing on (particularly when you’re stuffing desserts down your gullet). In addition to bunching just so in all the right places, this bad boy has a sexy little tulip hem that gives good leg. And that pine tree-esque hue? *Chef’s kiss.*

20. Rooscier Mini Dress

I call this one “bow lite.” While it still alludes to the reigning trend du jour with its red (or pink. Or white) twist-front top, it’s not quite as over-the-top. It’s also relatively low-maintenance: It just might be the only dress on the list that you can throw into the washing machine when you’re done sipping your holiday martinis in it. It doesn’t have many reviews (zero, in fact), but like everything else on Amazon, you can easily send it back it it doesn’t bring you good tidings.

21. Grace Karin Sequin Dress

I won’t lie: When it comes to fashion, Amazon can be hit or miss. I have dresses from the site that I absolutely love and others I’ve sent back faster than I could open the package. Grace Karin is a brand that seems to be consistently trusted on the site, and it looks just as good in the real-life review photos as it does in the model pics. Like the Elliat dress, it’s flattering on different body types thanks to its soft draping, and it comes in plenty of other colors if silver does nothing for your skin tone.

22. Mac Duggal Bow Dress

I know what you’re thinking: “Ooo, a bow dress. Something new and different!” But you have to admit, there is something extra-special about this one, aside from the Pepto Bismol hue (which, might I add, is gorge). I think it has to do with what are referred to in the description as “princess seams.” According to the powers that be (Google), this type of dart that can create a more tailored fit and help to elongate the body. And, as we’ve established, given my short stature, any garment that can perform such a miracle is a keeper.

23. Lulus All Aglitter Dress

A dress that makes you look like a living, breathing Christmas tree is liable to be a holiday party hit, and this one comes with all the trimmings. Between the sequins, that stunning off-the-shoulder neckline and the mini puff sleeves, it’s a head-turner, through and through. The sequins do look a bit… scratchy, but shoppers swear that this design is actually pretty comfortable—and for less than $50, I’m willing to believe it. *Shrugs.*

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Which of these holiday party dresses is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

Xo, Nicole