Grey flannel, maxi dress & loafers
£300*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 3 pieces from £45*
Christmas party outfits
What to wear to a Christmas party: your usual going-out outfit with more polish, in black or a rich winter colour, with one festive touch like velvet, satin or shine. 600 complete looks, each with why it works.
By Ivan Kachur · Updated October 2026 · What to wear to a Christmas party
For a Christmas party, one dressier piece is usually enough. That could be velvet loafers, a silk dress or a good jacket, with everything else kept simple. These looks do that. Swap the shoes if the party is mostly standing.
Ivan Kachur, Wholefit
Dressier
Navy jacket, jumper & cream trousers
£779*For cold days, about −5 to 5°C · Date night · 4 pieces from £169*
Cardigan, black polo & cream trousers
£738*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 4 pieces from £59*
Black cardigan, dress & loafers
£254*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 3 pieces from £45*
Black cardigan, dress & brown flats
£284*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 3 pieces from £45*
Blue coat, navy jumper & navy trousers
£546*For cold days, about −5 to 5°C · Date night · 4 pieces from £125*
Under £300 · 57 looks
Skirts and dresses
Warmest looks
What to wear to a Christmas party
How dressy should I go for a Christmas party?
Read the invitation and the place. A party at someone's home is smart casual: a nice knit or shirt, dark jeans or trousers, clean boots. A party at a bar or a restaurant is a step up: trousers or a skirt, a silky or fine-knit top, polished shoes. 'Cocktail' or 'festive attire' means a dress, a suit or a blazer. When unsure, add one dressy piece to a simple outfit; it's easier to take a blazer off than to dress up on the spot.
What makes an outfit look festive?
One festive touch is enough: velvet, satin, sequins, metallic thread, or a rich colour like burgundy, emerald or deep blue. Put it in one piece, a top, a skirt, a blazer or the shoes, and keep the rest simple and dark. Two or three festive pieces at once start to look like a costume.
What should women wear to a Christmas party?
A knit or slip dress with tights and heeled boots; a satin or sequin top with black tailored trousers; or a velvet skirt with a fine roll neck. A small bag and a coat you can leave at the door finish it. If it's a standing party, choose block heels or dressy flats.
What should men wear to a Christmas party?
Dark tailored trousers or chinos, a fine merino knit or a crisp shirt, and a blazer or a wool overshirt. Leather boots or loafers rather than trainers. A velvet blazer, a rich knit or a patterned shirt is the one festive piece; leave the novelty tie at home.
What should I wear to a Christmas party at someone's home?
Smart casual with one festive piece: dark jeans or trousers, a velvet, satin or richly coloured top or knit, and boots you can keep on or slip off. Hosts often ask guests to take their shoes off, so wear socks or tights you're happy to show, and bring the dressier layer rather than the heels.
Which shoes are best for a standing party?
Block heels, heeled boots, loafers or dressy flats: you may be on your feet for three or four hours. Velvet or suede loafers and patent boots look festive without hurting. Leave new shoes for a seated dinner.
What should I wear to a Christmas party in the cold?
Dress for the party and carry the warmth: a long wool coat, a scarf and gloves over the outfit, and boots you can wear inside. Fleece-lined tights or a thermal under a shirt add warmth nobody sees.
Questions people ask
Can I wear jeans to a Christmas party?
To a casual party at someone's home, yes: dark, clean jeans with a dressy top or a blazer and polished boots. For a party at a venue, or anything called cocktail, wear trousers or a skirt.
Can I wear trainers to a Christmas party?
Only to a casual one, and only clean leather trainers with an otherwise smart outfit. Boots or loafers are the safer choice.
What colours should I wear to a Christmas party?
Black is never wrong. Burgundy, emerald, navy and chocolate look rich in evening light; metallics, velvet and satin add the festive touch.
Do I have to wear a dress to a Christmas party?
No. Tailored trousers with a satin or sequin top look just as dressed up, and they're warmer. A jumpsuit works too.
Do men need a suit for a Christmas party?
Only if the invitation says formal or cocktail. Otherwise a blazer with dark trousers, or a fine knit with a wool overshirt, is right.
All looks
600 looks
Filter by brand in searchCardigan, jumper & black trousers
£295*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £55*
Would you wear it?
Corduroy jacket, shirt & trousers
£281*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £49*
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Gilet, jumper & trousers
£279*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £55*
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Beige corduroy jacket, jumper & beige trousers
£271*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £39*
Would you wear it?
Orange cardigan, dress & Mary Janes
£300*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 3 pieces from £65*
Red gilet, cream jumper & camel trousers
£775*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £100*
Black coat, grey jumper & green trousers
£685*For cold days, about −5 to 5°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £110*
Cream corduroy jacket, burgundy polo & navy trousers
£599*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £32*
Pink cardigan, cream jumper & black trousers
£555*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £110*
Black coat, blue jumper & grey trousers
£718*For cold days, about −5 to 5°C · Date night · 4 pieces from £123*
Cardigan, jumper & navy trousers
£930*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 4 pieces from £195*
Brown cardigan, jumper & black trousers
£760*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £131*
Brown cardigan, jumper & brown trousers
£573*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 5 pieces from £98*
Grey jacket, jumper & black trousers
£845*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Date night · 4 pieces from £185*
Cream jacket, cream jumper & brown trousers
£585*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £110*
Green overshirt, black jumper & black trousers
£712*For cool days, about 5–12°C · Smart casual · 4 pieces from £119*
How these Christmas party outfits come together
Counted from 40 of these looks.
The pieces that come up most
- On top
- Knitwear or polos
- Bottoms
- Trousers or trousers
- Layers
- Cardigans or jackets
- Shoes
- Boots or trainers
Colours that work
Brown, black, cream and navy come up most often across these looks, so they make an easy base to build on.
What a complete look costs
Most whole outfits here cost between £285 and £599; the typical one is £329. Swap any piece to change the total.
Brands in these looks
Most pieces come from Rothy's, Albaray, Wax London, Uniform Standard and Finisterre. Each look checks out on the stores' own sites, one store at a time.