Getting Fancy: Holiday dresses and jumpsuits

I always find myself looking for something special to wear to holiday parties around this time. I’m apt to over-prepare, actually. I don’t have that many parties to go to, and I’ve worn the same sequined top for New Year’s Eve three years running. (I might decide it’s a tradition.) Still, I just really love finding a just-right dress.

My first places to look are Anthropologie and Boden—you might recall this holiday roundup of Boden dresses a couple of years back—but I’ve looked to a few other standbys for this list. Where do you look first?

A bright red dress, with long sleeves and a little dip in the back. (This is the one that I wore to a party last weekend!)

That sheath dress! Famously flattering.

A statement jumpsuit. I have a red one I brought home from Paris years ago and get so many compliments on. This one by Vince Camuto looks really similar! (This lace one is lovely, too.)

An on-trend necktie blouse. (Pair with velvet pants or a skirt during the holidays, and then wear under sweaters and with jeans the rest of the year.)

Can’t get enough of this bell-sleeve trend. I like that this shift dress comes in white—so mod, a little unexpected—and could be worn over jeans after the holidays. But this longer length is a good alternative.

Ah, the perfect ruffled black dress, if a bit pricey. (This one is actually on my wishlist in the more boho Navy Acacia.)

Winter florals. Döen gets that a-line cut just right.

Crushed velvet is everywhere right now. Bonus: it looks so pretty in photos. (Similar)

More jumpsuits! Anthropologie calls this one essential. (More black jumpsuits.)

Winter white. A backless jumpsuit that would look stunning on its own or with a tuxedo jacket.

A tie-waist jumpsuit. Inexpensive, versatile, and can arrive in 2 days.

A delicate tulle skirt would look so pretty with a soft, fitted sweater. (Love this version, too.)

And for a bit more fun, some sequins or stars (this little sheath dress is only $25).

Which would you choose? Any go-to shops for special occasions?

P.S. For goes-with-everything shoes, I like these for wearing with opaque black tights, or these for open toes.

[Top photo by Susan Yee of En Pointe Photography for this post; other photos from their respective links]

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