12 Dazzling Holiday Cocktail Attire Ideas

A holiday celebration, whether it be a joyful soirée or an intimate get-together, calls for festive holiday cocktail attire. It’s a time when sequins, sparkles, and high-glam looks are in order. From Christmas parties and Hannukah celebrations to holiday office parties and merrymaking with friends and loved ones, it’s the perfect opportunity to pull out all the stops and choose something festive and fun. For the holidays, that could mean silky, velvety, or glittery.

What is Holiday Cocktail Attire?

A cocktail dress can mean a lot of things to different people, but in general, it’s a dress that falls at or around the knee. It’s a dress to be worn “after day” and into the night. Traditionally, “cocktail hour” is from 4 pm - 6 pm, so cocktail attire would be apt from 4 pm onward. But we’re not much for rules and think cocktail dressing can happen at any time. However, do consider the event’s formality and the host’s intentions. To sum it up, cocktail attire is relatively formal clothing, but not too formal. Think elevated minis and knee-length dresses, elegant jumpsuits, and dress shoes. People often associate the little black dress accessorized with heels as cocktail attire, which is correct. Still, it’s an occasion to wear some razzle-dazzle, light-catching holiday cocktail dresses for the holidays.

While it’s hard to go wrong when choosing holiday party dresses, we’ve created a style guide to help you find your perfect holiday party cocktail dress.

12 Holiday Cocktail Attire Ideas to Dazzle at Any Party
 

1. Siren Red
 

Play up your inner vixen in a red cocktail number. We offer a range of red dresses, including a form-fitting textured crepe flame red dress (perfect for Christmas party cocktail attire), a lava red long-sleeved cocktail number that features an embroidered bodice embellished with light-catching paillettes (this season is all about sparkle), and a ruby red pleated georgette dress (if you want an effortless Bohemian vibe).

2. Shimmering Metallics
 

Metallic silhouettes are another fun way to dress for the season. Our foil-printed metallic jersey cocktail dresses for holiday party delivery chic and shimmering style. The best part? These figure-hugging dresses have built-in comfort thanks to a tailored stretch jersey lining.

3. Luminous Embellishment
 

Nothing says a holiday cocktail attire like razzle-dazzle sparkle. If you don’t often have the opportunity to wear glittery pieces, now’s your chance. Try our holiday-approved Dune Mini Dress, a twinkling batwing-sleeve mini with head-to-hem sparkle for an allover beaded and paillette-embellished look. If you’re seeking just a dusting of shimmer, try a cocktail silhouette with sparkly accents like our Tash Embroidered Crepe Dress with hourglass-defining gold embroidery, or our Foxie One-Shoulder Gown, a traffic-stopping silhouette with a paillette-embroidered long sleeve and waist inset.

4. Eye-Catching Details

Long-sleeved illusions, cold-shoulder cutouts, and captivating necklines create eye-catching details. Not sure where to begin? We recommend starting with what makes you feel most comfortable. Do you love the allure of a V-plunge neckline? Then try our long-sleeved Serina Peak Lapel Dress, available in lava red. If you wish to show off your shoulders, opt for a chic cold-shoulder style like our body-skimming, textured crepe Navin Shoulder Cut-Out Dress, or our ivory and black printed georgette Cobie Draped Cold Shoulder Dress that boasts hourglass draping with a flowy high-low skirt.

5. The Flattering Fit-and-Flare

If you’re browsing styles for your holiday office party, then try a classic fit-and-flare silhouette. While it’s a universally flattering fit that’s easy to wear for all body types, it’s especially flattering if you are pear-shaped or hourglass-shaped. A fit-and-flare style comprises a fitted bodice, nipped waist, and a flared skirt. We recommend our office-party-approved Camilla Dress, a pretty in lace bestseller available in a variety of colors.

6. The Puff Sleeve

Christmas Eve cocktails just became so much more fun with puff sleeves. Holiday cocktail attire doesn’t always have to be glitzy. Instead, play with statement volume and try the Sofie Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, an 80 ’s-influenced sapphire blue number styled to perfection, the Nyra One-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Dress, a pine green jacquard dress that pairs playful glamour with irresistibility, or the Iggy Puff Sleeve Dress, a little black mini that’s all about fun, drama, and impact. Cheers to cocktail attire Christmas party fashion!

7. Curve Definition

Channel your inner Marilyn Monroe this holiday season and don a sleek and sophisticated cocktail sheath that does not skimp on curve definition. Look for styles that create hourglass shaping. Draping that accentuates a nipped waist, wide-V necklines paired with fitted waists and flared skirts, and appliqued panels cut to create hourglass definition all fit the bill. We recommend our ivory Atike Satin Lapel Tuxedo Dress, a curve-skimming texture crepe cocktail dress, and our emerald green Klara Sequin Illusion Dress. This figure-hugging crepe number pairs timeless elegance with hourglass draping. Don’t forget to pair it with a closed-toe shoe and a touch of fur for an ultra-glam look.

8. Velvet

We can’t talk about holiday cocktail attire without mentioning velvet. It is the fabric of the season. But this season, we’ve put a seductive spin on it. Our Dafne Velvet Illusion Dress features draped ribbed velvet paired with a tulle-backed midriff cutout and leg-revealing high-low hem, while our Tatis Long Sleeve Velvet Dress boasts a head-turning lace illusion and a curve-skimming drape.

9. Back to Black

Timeless, classic, and elegant for a reason, you can’t go wrong with a little black dress, but make it holiday and add on sparkle. Have fun accessorizing your all-black look with extra festive bling. Our versatile, curve-skimming LBD, the Richter Pleated Chiffon Dress, would be an apt choice to accessorize. Or skip the accessories altogether and get a glamorously embellished LBD like the Lorene Sequin Flapper Fringe Dress. It’s a party-ready silhouette that boasts rich embroidery and sparkly sequin fringe.

10. Poofy Tulle

Part of the fun of dressing in holiday cocktail attire is playing with volume. Enter poofy tulle. We don’t mean 80s poof dresses. This holiday season, explore our poof-inspired tulle offerings that feature unique embellishments and sophisticated styling, such as our Kindra Pearl-Dotted Trapeze Dress, a pearl-dotted, tulle-smocked style with a halter-cut neckline. If you’re feeling more adventurous, go with a period-inspired piece, like our Cora Embroidered Tulle Dress. This cord-embroidered look, inspired by the Twenties-era robe de style, features tulle pannier-style hips and shoulder cut outs.

11. Sexy Sleeves

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the need for sleeves. Depending on where you live, the holidays often mean cold days and even colder nights. Tadashi Shoji’s sleeved styles mix allure with practicality. Sleeves are sexy. From our curated holiday collection, you can shop long-sleeved illusion styles, short sleeves with eyelash lace edging, tapered elbow-length sleeves, and flowy lace bishop sleeves. Some of our standout holiday styles with sleeves include the Cullen Embroidered Tulle Dress, a festive emerald green number that boasts gigot-inspired sleeves, the Fatiha Floral Lace and Chiffon Dress, a calf-sweeping silhouette designed with short puff sleeves and fitted cuffs that remind us of fairytale sleeves but with the volume played way down, and the Serina Peak Lapel Dress, a lava red cocktail dress that pairs conservative styling with a dash of rebellion. This style’s long sleeves feature shoulder-to-elbow sparkly appliqué.

12. Comfort is Key

Lastly, comfort is key. Luckily, Tadashi Shoji’s cocktail dresses are outfitted with a tailored, stretch jersey lining. So, if you’re the host and looking for styles with extra comfort, try our cocktail dresses cut from textured stretch knits, such as the Millie Riffle Illusion Dress, the Gracie Midi Dress, and the Kirby Mini Dress. Our effortless and elegant holiday cocktail attire styles are curve-defining and comfortable because cocktail glamour and comfort do coexist.

While the holidays can be a time of love and joy and lots of parties, they can also be overwhelming with so many things to do in such a short amount of time. We understand because we feel it, too. So, we’re here to help you check one more thing off your ever-growing to-do list. Skip the crowds at the mall, and shop our festive edit of holiday looks and Christmas cocktail dresses at your leisure. Choosing Christmas cocktail attire or chic holiday dresses is easy with a few clicks. If you’re shopping last minute, inquire with a Tadashi Shoji Customer Care Specialist about holiday turnaround times and expedited shipping to ensure you receive your dress in time. Now’s the time to shop! Find your perfect holiday cocktail attire at tadashishoji.com.