What to Wear to a Christmas Party: Festive Outfit Ideas

Office party, family dinner or New Year's Eve? How to read the dress code, wear sequins without overdoing it, and stay warm on the way home.

December fills up fast: the work do, drinks with friends, a family dinner and, before you know it, New Year's Eve. The good news is that you do not need a different outfit for every invitation. With one or two well-chosen pieces you can cover almost every festive plan.

First, decode the dress code

• Office party: festive but sensible. A long-sleeve dress, a midi length or a sparkly blazer over simple black works well.
• Dinner with friends or family: rich colours and soft textures feel special without looking overdressed. Think burgundy, velvet and wrap shapes.
• Cocktails and New Year's Eve: this is the moment for full sequins, a mini or a dramatic maxi.

Sequins, done right

The easiest way to wear sequins is to let them be the only statement. Pair a sparkly dress with plain shoes and simple jewellery and it looks expensive rather than costume.

For a classic shape, the Giselle black sequin balloon sleeve mini dress is hard to beat, and black sequins are surprisingly easy to wear again next year. If you prefer more coverage, the Mavelle long sleeve sequin mini keeps your arms warm while still catching the light.

Velvet and rich colour

Not a sequin person? Velvet and deep jewel tones feel just as festive. The Vespera velvet cowl neck mini has a subtle shimmer, while the Marleigh burgundy wrap midi dress is the one to choose for a family dinner. A wrap shape is also forgiving after a big Christmas lunch.

Mini or maxi?

A mini feels playful and party-ready, and it pairs well with tights for cold UK evenings. A maxi instantly reads as glamorous and is ideal for formal dinners or a black-tie New Year's Eve. The Sabrielle sequin square neck maxi and the Evadne off-shoulder slit maxi are two of our favourite evening pieces this season.

Do not forget the journey home

The most common festive mistake is a beautiful dress under the wrong coat. Two easy fixes:

• A sparkly blazer such as the Lumera sequin party blazer can turn jeans or a plain black dress into a party outfit.
• A faux fur jacket, like the Lavinia cropped faux fur jacket, keeps you warm and adds to the outfit rather than hiding it.

Get the size right first time

Party dresses, especially bodycon and sequin styles, have very little stretch. Check the size guide on each product page and compare it with a dress you already own. If you are between sizes in a fitted style, size up. You can always email support@bahriz.com for advice before you order.

When to order

Orders are processed within 1–3 business days and delivery takes a further 5–10 business days, so allow 6–13 business days in total. To be safe, we recommend ordering at least three weeks before your event, and earlier still in the busy weeks of December. Full details are in our Shipping Policy.

Pick one piece that makes you feel brilliant, and keep everything else simple.

Explore all women's dresses. UK delivery is free on every order, and unworn items with tags attached can be returned within 30 days. See our Return & Refund Policy.