Holiday Party Outfit Ideas for Women (Sexy Dresses Under $75)
The short answer
For a holiday party, wear one dress that catches the light, like sequins, metallic foil or red lace, and keep everything else simple. A fitted midi or long sleeves reads right for an office party. A sequin mini or a backless halter works for a friends' party or New Year's Eve. Add sheer black or sparkle stockings for winter. Our dress picks ran $54 to $71.25 on last check, all under $75. Laces Evening Wear is an independent lookbook. Browse here, then check out on the brand. Some links are affiliate links. Dressing for a dinner date instead? See what to wear for an anniversary dinner.
Work party vs friends' party: how sexy is too sexy?
For a work holiday party, keep the sexy detail to one place and let the fabric do the rest. For a friends' party, you can add a shorter hem or an open back.
- Work party: a midi or long sleeves in a festive fabric (red lace, gold metallic). Skip the plunge and the micro-mini.
- Friends' party or New Year's Eve: a sequin mini, a halter, or a fitted metallic dress. Sparkle stockings make it feel dressed up.
- Winter rule: sheer black stockings or thigh-highs plus a coat and a closed heel or ankle boot keep any of these warm enough.
5 holiday party outfit formulas under $75
The five holiday party dresses that work best are a red lace midi, a gold metallic maxi, a black sequin mini, a black metallic halter dress and a white long-sleeve slit midi. Each has one festive detail.
1. The classic red: lace hourglass midi + rhinestone thigh-highs
The Crimson Lace Hourglass Midi Dress is red stretch lace with a high halter neck and a fitted hourglass shape. It's covered and festive, so it works at a work party. It was $71.25 on last check, sizes S, M. Formula: red lace midi + GEMMA rhinestone sheer thigh highs ($95.95, made in Italy) + black pumps + a small gold clutch.
2. The New Year's Eve: gold metallic long-sleeve maxi
The Gold Metallic Ruched Long-Sleeve Dress is a gold foil maxi with long sleeves and ruching that hugs the body. It's made in the USA. It was $59.00 on last check, sizes S, M. Formula: gold maxi + nude strappy heels + no necklace (the dress is the jewelry). Long sleeves make it the warmest pick here.
3. The cocktail party: black sequin halter mini + crystal anklet stockings
The Sequin Rosette Halter Mini Dress is black sequins with a rosette at the halter neck. It was $54.99 on last check, sizes M, L. Formula: sequin mini + FILOMENA crystal anklet stockings ($95.95, XS, S, L–3XL) + black heels. The sparkle at the ankle repeats the sequins without adding more.
4. The friends' party: black metallic ruched halter dress
The Black Metallic Ruched Halter Dress is a black metallic halter with ruching down the skirt, made in the USA. It was $54.00 on last check, sizes S, L. Formula: black metallic dress + sheer black stockings + silver hoops + a faux-fur wrap.
5. The office party: white long-sleeve high-slit midi
The Long-Sleeve High-Slit Midi Dress is fitted with long sleeves, a round neck and a high slit, in white or khaki. It's the most work-safe pick: covered on top, with one sexy detail at the leg. It was $55.75 on last check, sizes S, M, L. Formula: white midi + gold earrings + nude or metallic heels. Add sheer tights if your office leans formal.
What to wear on your legs
In winter, wear sheer black stockings or thigh-highs with a party dress; sparkle versions do the dressing-up for you. Rhinestone or crystal stockings work best with plain black, red or gold dresses. Skip them with all-over sequins unless the sparkle is only at the ankle. For more on choosing them, see thigh highs vs stockings vs stay-ups.
After the party
For the after-party, a satin chemise is the easy gift-to-yourself. The Lounge Bunny Chemise is black and white satin, $38.00 on last check, sizes S–2X.
Quick pick
| If your party is… | Wear | Price on last check |
|---|---|---|
| A work party | Long-Sleeve High-Slit Midi or Crimson Lace Hourglass Midi | $55.75 / $71.25 |
| New Year's Eve | Gold Metallic Ruched Long-Sleeve Dress | $59.00 |
| A cocktail party | Sequin Rosette Halter Mini | $54.99 |
| A friends' party | Black Metallic Ruched Halter Dress | $54.00 |
FAQ
What should I wear to a holiday party?
Wear one festive dress (sequins, metallic or red lace) with simple accessories. Pick a midi or long sleeves for a work party, and a mini or halter for a friends' party.
What should I wear to a work holiday party that's festive but appropriate?
Choose a midi or a long-sleeve dress in a festive fabric, like red lace or gold metallic, and keep only one sexy detail, such as a leg slit or a halter neck.
Can I wear a sequin dress in winter?
Yes. Add sheer black stockings, a closed heel or ankle boot and a coat. Long sleeves or a midi length add warmth.
What do I wear on my legs with a party dress in winter?
Sheer black stockings or thigh-highs. Rhinestone or crystal-ankle styles add sparkle to a plain dress.
Shop the edit
- Crimson Lace Hourglass Midi Dress: $71.25, S, M
- Gold Metallic Ruched Long-Sleeve Dress: $59.00, S, M
- Sequin Rosette Halter Mini Dress: $54.99, M, L
- Black Metallic Ruched Halter Dress: $54.00, S, L
- Long-Sleeve High-Slit Midi Dress: $55.75, white or khaki, S–L
- GEMMA Rhinestone Sheer Thigh Highs (VienneMilano): $95.95, XS, S, L–3XL (no M on last check)
- FILOMENA Crystal Anklet Stockings (VienneMilano): $95.95, XS, S, L–3XL (no M on last check)
- Lounge Bunny Chemise: $38.00, S–2X
Related: All Laces guides · Anniversary dinner outfit ideas · Going-out outfits for your 30s and 40s · The sexy little black dress under $60 · Affordable sexy eveningwear under $50 · Thigh highs vs stockings vs stay-ups Laces Evening Wear is an independent lookbook. Some links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You browse on Laces and buy on the brand.