Perfect Dresses for Your Holiday Party
With the holiday season now upon us, party invites are piling up. For every possible fête you might attend, we’ve found 25 dresses that are sure to turn heads. Think of it as your very own sartorial advent calendar.
Evil Twin ‘Bad Moon Rising’ Lace Dress
For a casual gathering with friends, wine and a dairy farm’s worth of cheese, this lace number in a rich navy is cute as can be.
Evil Twin ‘Bad Moon Rising’ Lace Dress, $138. Available at www.asos.com.
Banana Republic Gemma Wrap Dress
Office parties can be tricky, but this dress manages to add a little holiday cheer (read: sex appeal) without offending HR.
Banana Republic Gemma Wrap Dress, $124. Available at www.bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca.
BB Dakota Derora Sequin Dress
Kick a cocktail party into high gear with this sleek sequin mini.
BB Dakota Derora Sequin Dress, $107. Available at www.shopbop.com.
H&M Velvet Dress
This dress is perfect for those stressful parties with unknown dress codes.
H&M Dress, $40. Available at www.hm.com.
Anthropologie Polished Platinum Dress
We can’t think of a sweeter dress to wear to a holiday cookie exchange.
Anthropologie Polished Platinum Dress, $388. Available at www.anthropologie.com.
Le Chateau Chiffon One Shoulder Cocktail Dress
This dress has “dramatic dance routine on a marble floor with a sexy man in a tuxedo” written all over it.
Le Chateau Chiffon One Shoulder Cocktail Dress, $225. Available at www.lechateau.com.
Forever 21 Contrast Dress
We’ll clink our mimosas (and nosh on several croissants) to this sweet chiffon dress at a holiday brunch.
Forever 21 Contrast Dress, $28. Available at www.forever21.com.
Jacob Pleated Tube Dress
Be the host with the most in this dazzling red dress (even if you didn’t prepare your own roast).
Jacob Pleated Tube Dress, $99. Available at www.jacob.ca.
Dynamite Lurex Maxi Dress
An ice skating party complete with hot chocolate is a wicked way to enjoy the deep freeze. Just be sure to bundle up in this chic maxi dress.
Dynamite Lurex Maxi Dress, $45. Available at Dynamite.
Theyskens’ Theory Knock Yara Sweater Dress
We’re all for holiday sweater parties, but wearing our mothers sweaters from the ’80s? Not so much. We’ll appease the dress code while keeping our own standards in check with this sheer knit crimson sweater dress.
Theyskens’ Theory Knock Yara Sweater Dress, $420. Available at www.shopbop.com.
Banana Republic Strapless Sequined Sheath Dress
A party for two is just as important as a party for 20. For a date night during the holidays, this sparkly number will make his jaw drop.
Banana Republic Strapless Sequined Sheath Dress, $185. Available at www.bananarepublic.ca.
Old Navy Belted Fuchsia Tunic
If you’re lucky enough to celebrate the holidays on vacation down south, this hot pink tunic will have you leading the conga line.
Old Navy Belted Fuchsia Tunic, $40. Available at www.oldnavy.ca.
Esprit Cotton Ruffle Dress
For those afternoon holiday parties with family (when you may or may not be recovering from a cocktail party the night before) this dress is chic and comfortable (read: a no-brainer).
Esprit Cotton Ruffle Dress, $60. Available at www.espritshop.ca.
Pins and Needles Mistletoe Dress
With a blazer over this dress, your coworkers will be oblivious to the wild cocktail parties you plan on jetting to when the clock strikes 5:00.
Pins and Needles Mistletoe Dress, $89. Available at www.urbanoutfitters.com.
Zara Metallic Dress
Let’s hear it for Christmas clubbing! Your “robot” will look all too real in this metallic mini.
Zara Metallic Dress, $199. Available at www.zara.com.
Susana Monaco Sequined Party Dress
You may not bring the gift that all your girlfriends steal in the gift exchange, but they’ll all be begging to borrow your adorable dress for their next holiday fête.
Susana Monaco Sequined Party Dress, $293. Available at www.shopbop.com.
ASOS Cross Over Tulip Dress
Don’t let an evening with your man and his parents stress you out. Please both parties with a colourful dress that’s smart and sexy.
ASOS Cross Over Tulip Dress, $73. Available at www.asos.com.
RW&CO Cowl-Neck Dress
Chanukah is a great holiday for photo ops (everyone looks great by candlelight) so dress to impress in this navy number with beading along the hem.
RW&CO Cowl-Neck Dress, $68. Available at RW&CO.

Carven Velvet Dress
With caroling parties fast approaching, we’ve focused on finding the perfect long-sleeve dress to keep you toasty, so you can focus on your do re mi’s.
Carven Velvet Dress, $785. Available at www.ssense.com.
J. Crew Siren Dress
For all those mamas who’ve spent the year dropping the kids off in sweats, take the school party as a chance to wow everyone (but don’t be shocked if teachers don’t immediately recognize you).
J.Crew Siren Dress, $446. Available at www.jcrew.com.

BCBG Marta Sequined Dress
Decorating the Christmas tree requires a dress that can rival said tree. In this sparkly number, you’ll look like a tinsel-covered spruce (in the very best way possible).
BCBG Marta Sequined Dress, $338. Available at www.bcbg.com.
Thuja Dress
For any formal affair, this grey maxi with delicate leaf detailing will stand out in a sea of black.
Thuja Dress, $248. Available at www.anthropologie.com.
Sleeveless Bell Dress
A cute and conservative LBD is perfect for your main man’s office party.
Sleeveless Bell Dress, $75. Available at www.gapcanada.ca.
ASOS Jumper Dress with Snood
A cosy sweater dress is just the thing for an impromptu wrapping party with friends or family (complete with egg nog, naturally).
ASOS Jumper Dress with Snood, $88. Available at www.asos.com.
Zara Studio Dress
Last but certainly not least, a glamorous dress for the most glamorous night of the year. On New Year’s Eve you can get away with anything, so enjoy the night in this stunning gown.
Zara Studio Dress, $179. Available at www.zara.com.