8 Christmas Party Dresses Ideas | Minis, Midis and Maxis

8 Christmas party dresses ideas
Yep – it’s that time of year to get your glad rags on (otherwise known as panicking about what to wear to the Christmas party)! I thought you’d like a post with some ideas for what to wear to your festive party if you need to wear something dressy – and what’s better than a fabulous dress for Christmas? I’ve chosen eight outfits I’ve worn over the last couple of years, and although they were worn to all sorts of occasions they’d still be perfect for a Christmas party.

I’ve featured a few mini/cocktail dresses as well as midi and maxi dresses, so all skirt length preferences are covered. Plus I’ve picked out a selection available to buy right now if you need some quick ideas and don’t have the time to scour the internet.

Let me know what you’ll be wearing to your Christmas party (or parties) – or if my picks came to your rescue!

Mini/Cocktail dresses

Pale blue dress over black skinnies
1. Layer a short cocktail dress with skinnies (original post)
If, like me, you’d rather not bare your legs when a dress is above your knees, you can always add skinnies for a modern dress-over-trousers look. Just make sure the denim is a solid colour – not a blue wash – and add fabulous heels to give yourself long legs.

Green pleated dress & black shirt
2. Layer a sleeveless cocktail dress with a blouse or top (original post)
If you’d rather not show your arms and the dress is sleeveless, add a blouse underneath and some statement jewellery. This is a pretty short dress for me, so I always go for either solid opaques or a patterned pair of tights.

Bastyan Arin cocktail dress with deep V back
3. Choose a dress with amazing detail at the back (original post)
Instead of a dress with all the detail at the front, go for something different and give your back the wow factor (especially good for those who like to show off their backs or can go bra-less). You’ll definitely have a conversation piece with a dress like this.

Here are my favourite mini/cocktail dresses I’ve found that you’ll hopefully love too:

Maxi dresses

Bernadett Penkov for Zalando Yellow Dress
4. Go for a maxi with a high-low hem (original post)
A high-low hem – or a huge split up one side – allows you to show off your legs a little but keeps the overall length long. I love the superhero-style design of this dress with its cape at the back. As the design is so interesting is doesn’t need a bold pattern, just a solid block of bright colour makes a statement all by itself.

Red, black & white ombre patterned dress
5. Choose a full skirted maxi to allow you to dance (original post)
If you’re determined to dance the night away at your Christmas party, a full skirt is a must! There are lots of maxi dresses with full skirts around, and the added advantage of this style is that it allows for a little pre-Christmas over indulgence. A food baby or a little extra weight on your hips won’t be a problem in this style.

I love these maxi dresses – some cover your legs completely but others will show a bit of leg:

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Midi dresses

Birthday Party in Vintage Poppies
6. Wear vintage and don’t be afraid to alter it if necessary (original post)
Vintage is the perfect choice for any gathering of a lot of people – you’ll never be wearing the same dress as someone else. I got this 1970s maxi dress from eBay and simply shortened it to a midi length which made it far more flattering. The colours are rather perfect for this time of year, too. (See this post I wrote: Tips for buying vintage on eBay if you need tips on how to avoid making vintage mistakes – and get a bargain in the process!)

Red midi dress
7. Dress up a solid colour midi with statement jewellery (original post)
A plain midi dress in a bright, solid colour can be dressed up as much as you like with a huge statement necklace, fabulous heels, a faux fur coat – and it’s one that can be worn afterwards to work, depending how you style it. Red is the perfect colour for a Christmas party dress.

Red and blue animal print midi dress
8. Choose a midi or knee-length dress in a bold print (original post)
If you want the dress to do all the talking, go for one in a bold print – very little accessorising required. Choose heels and a clutch in either a contrasting colour, or pick out one of the colours of the print for a pulled-together look.

Midis are my favourite dress length – there are so many midi dresses I love right now! Here are my picks:

Catherine x
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P.S. If you like this, why not check out my Evening Wear Inspiration Pinterest board?

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28 Comments

    • 17 December 2014 / 3:54 pm

      Alice thank you!! I didn't realise quite how many I owned till I did this post 😉

    • 15 December 2014 / 12:48 pm

      Awww Ann you're the best… thank you so much hun!! x

  1. 14 December 2014 / 4:13 am

    Love this collection of ideas! You're got everying from demure to bombshell! I can't decide on a favorite.

    • 14 December 2014 / 10:58 am

      That's a lovely compliment – thank you so much Jean xxxx

  2. 12 December 2014 / 8:34 pm

    Glamorous as ever! All of these looks are fab but I want to try the blouse and cocktail dress one. That could revamp a ton of my dresses!

    • 13 December 2014 / 10:51 am

      It's a great way to get more mileage out of your wardrobe, Amy (and keep you warm)!! Thanks hun xx

    • 11 December 2014 / 11:18 pm

      Thank you so much Lauren – I appreciate all your lovely comments! x

  3. 10 December 2014 / 4:59 pm

    Oh my God, I love that green cocktail dress on you, you look so amazing in it! Plus I need to get my hands on that brooch you're wearing with it. Lots of love, Kirsten xx

    http://www.thelifbissue.com

    • 11 December 2014 / 11:18 pm

      Thank you Kirsten – it was actually a necklace (though it does look like a brooch here). You're a sweetheart!

    • 11 December 2014 / 11:17 pm

      Thanks sweetie – I think the layering and the bling worked pretty well with that green dress…!!

  4. 10 December 2014 / 1:20 pm

    A dress is the perfect choice to wear to a more formal holiday gathering. So many beautiful ones here! I love the gray one with the back detail and the long flowy one with the blue, pink, and red print.

    http://www.girlinahotcity.com

    • 11 December 2014 / 11:16 pm

      I think they're the two favourites with most readers, Ivete! Thank you so much xx

  5. 10 December 2014 / 9:13 am

    Gorgeous suggestions, all of them!! I have a few Christmas dos coming up but none of them will be that glam, I'll probably be overdressed – better than underdressed though! x

    • 11 December 2014 / 11:16 pm

      Ahhh my next round up post (very soon) will be what to wear to a Christmas party that doesn't require a dress, i.e. less glam! But I agree about being over rather than underdressed, P! xx

  6. 10 December 2014 / 6:35 am

    Beautiful 🙂

  7. 9 December 2014 / 11:38 pm

    Great ideas, C. I love the dress with the vee-back! xox

    • 11 December 2014 / 11:07 pm

      It seems the v-back dress is pretty popular with everyone, Patti! Thank you xx

    • 9 December 2014 / 11:20 pm

      Isn't it a stunner, Monica? I'm still in awe of that gorgeous dress even now :))) Thank you hun x

    • 9 December 2014 / 11:19 pm

      Thanks Irene – my favourite length as I mentioned!!

  8. 9 December 2014 / 3:37 pm

    Such good ideas! I love the cocktail over skinnies.

    • 9 December 2014 / 11:19 pm

      Thanks Pam – I use this trick a lot…!

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