There are so many celebratory events filling our calendar this time of year, which calls for lots of outfit planning and party prepping. And while we’re looking forward to toasting with family, friends and coworkers, finding an ensemble for each occasion can seem daunting. Thankfully, it’s easy to put together a “new” look for every event effortlessly and without breaking the bank. How? Celebrity stylists advise taking a couple of items that you already have in your closet and giving them a holiday update with affordable extras that add pizzazz. Here, nine buildable holiday party outfits using staple wardrobe items that will help you look and feel like the belle of any ball.
Holiday party outfits
To shop your closet, celebrity stylist Samantha Brown, who’s worked with Candice Bergen and Jennifer Nettles, says it’s best to stick with solid-colored staples like a black top and bottoms, sheath dresses, skirts and more. “This allows you to add fun pops of color and some sparkle when accessorizing,” she notes. “And festive accents also make these everyday items more appropriate and feel special for the holidays.” Keep scrolling to see the holiday party outfits and accessories that do just that.
1. Holiday party outfits: Start with a sweater dress
Cozy knitwear like a sweater dress not only allows you to move around with ease when mingling at a party, it’s also a blank slate, which makes it so easy to dress up, says stylist Amanda Sanders, who’s worked with Marilu Henner and Rosie Perez. Plus, a sweater dress offers more warmth than other types of dresses, but can still feel lightweight.
Up the glamour of a sweater dress with gilded adornments
Wearing gold accessories from head to toe—like hoop earrings, a ring and heels—creates pretty pizzazz that instantly transforms a more casual sweater dress into a fancy frock. What’s more, the warm metallic shade brightens skin to offset the more pale tone that skin can take on in the cold winter months.
Gold tiered hoop earrings: Buy from Amazon
Stacked gold ring: Buy from Amazon
Studded heels: Buy from Amazon
2. Holiday party outfits: Start with a black top and pants
For a festive daytime or evening event, Sanders suggests starting with a black base. It’s not only slenderizing, the dark backdrop also allows any colorful accessories to really pop. Her tip to ensuring the monochromatic look doesn’t fall flat? “Add texture by mixing fabrics. For example, wear a matte cotton turtleneck on top and shiny faux-leather pants on bottom.”
Add a pop of color to an all-black outfit with velvet extras
Pairing an all-black look with touches of velvet, like with a topper, handbag and shoes, takes the look from ordinary to outstanding, says Sanders. Bonus: When on a duster or jacket, the soft, luxe fabric adds a layer of warmth so you’ll feel cozy while still looking chic.
Floral velvet duster: Buy from Saks Off 5th
Bold velvet shoulder bag: Buy from Kohl’s
Pointed-toe velvet pumps: Buy from Vince Camuto
3. Holiday party outfits: Start with a cream blouse or sweater
Wearing a winter white or cream top is perfectly seasonal while remaining neutral. Even better? It goes with both silver and gold, and metallic accents are a huge trend at the moment. As we can see Martha Stewart showcasing above, an off-white top with metallic pants makes a stunning statement.
Dazzle even more in a cream top with metallic accessories
“Think of metallic extras as creating the perfect frame and you are the pretty picture,” says Himel. Plus, the shiny accents reflect light onto areas of exposed skin to warm it up for a radiant glow.
Metallic gold earrings: Buy from Amazon
Metallic fold-over clutch: Buy from Boohoo
Gold metallic pants: Buy from Chico’s
4. Holiday party outfits: Start with a pair of skinny jeans
Feel comfy and confident in your favorite pair of skinny jeans while at a festive brunch or happy hour. “Skinny jeans are super flattering yet not too dressy for a more casual gathering,” says stylist Eric Himel, who’s worked with Ali Larter and Rachel Brosnahan. And a dark-wash pair is best as they look a touch dressier than light-wash denim.
Shine in a pair of jeans with sparkling accents
Nothing looks more holiday than some glitz and glam with sparkling accessories. Whether you just put in a pair of rhinestone hoops or add a shimmering blazer or duster, you’ll be ready for any holiday party.
Sequin long jacket: Buy from Anthropologie
Crystal bracelet: Buy from J. Crew
Gold embellished heels: Buy from Macy’s
5. Holiday party outfits: Start with a pencil skirt
Whether you’re headed to an office party, a cocktail hour or a gathering with your girlfriends, a neutral-toned pencil skirt takes your look up a notch, says Sanders. You can go from desk to dinner effortlessly with a pencil skirt, and it looks dressy enough for formal occasions.
Jazz up a pencil skirt with black add-ons
Pairing with a black top, belt and shoes allows the skirt to be the focal point while creating a flattering color-block effect that adds a touch of sophistication, explains Sanders.
Cold-shoulder black top: Buy from White House Black Market
Skinny black belt: Buy from Amazon
Block-heeled black sandals: Buy from Macys
6. Holiday party outfits: Start with a leather jacket
Leather toppers are very chic, especially when paired with the right accessories. Tip: Wearing the jacket unzipped prevents the garment from looking boxy and allows the angled lapels to lay flat. It adds extra warmth and can dress up a more casual outfit or dress down a super dressy outfit.
Add some sparkle to a leather jacket with silver-sequined accents
Shiny silver accessories dress up a leather jacket and soften its hard edges for a flirty, feminine feel.
Silver clutch: Buy from Charles and Keith
Silver sequin skirt: Buy from Zara
Black and silver rhinestone bow heels: Buy from Amazon
7. Holiday party outfits: Start with a black dress
For a cocktail party, there’s no better piece to slip into than a classic black dress, says stylist Dawn Del Russo, who’s worked with Vivica A. Fox and Rachel Bilson. If you want to look extra festive, you can add on red or green accessories, or add extra pizazz with embellishments.
Make a statement in a black dress with beaded extras
Slipping on a few beaded accessories, like a pair of earrings, a belt and an evening bag, adds sophisticated sparkle to a little black dress, transforming the look from basic to elevated.
Statement beaded bow earrings: Buy from Loft
Beaded belt: Buy from Amazon
Sparkling beaded evening bag: Buy from Anthropologie
8. Holiday party outfits: Start with a white button-down
No dress? No problem! “You’d be surprised at how elegant that classic white button-down hanging in the back of your closet can actually be—it’s all about what you pair it with,” says Brown. To give the look an effortlessly chic finish and to allow accessories to take the spotlight, she advises popping up the collar and rolling up the sleeves.
Dress up a button-down with shimmery gold adornments
Glittery gold accents, like a necklace, bracelet and long skirt, ensure the solid blouse looks more elegant than everyday, making it perfect for dressy events, says Brown.
Gold ‘tie’ necklace: Buy from Amazon
Golden bangle set: Buy from Amazon
Sparkly gold maxi skirt: Buy from Express
9. Holiday party outfits: Start with a full-length dress
It’s not often we’re invited to a formal event like a holiday wedding or a New Year’s Eve soiree that calls for us to dress to the nines, says Brown. “But if you don’t already have a floor-skimming gown, any long dress you own will do.” The key? Pick a solid dress in any color, as long as it has no print or pattern, which tends to make a dress skew more toward the casual side. And one that has a low neck or flowy skirt always gives off a fancier feel too.
Add polished pizzazz to a long dress with silver accessories
Since full-length dresses make a big statement on their own, opting for delicate accessories, like earrings, a bracelet and a clutch in silver polishes the look without overpowering.
Sparkly silver drop earrings: Buy from Amazon
Silver tennis bracelet: Buy from Anthropologie
Sleek silver clutch: Buy from Amazon
This article originally appeared in our print magazine, First For Women.
