PARTY QUEEN / Dec 03, 2021

WINTER FORMAL DRESSES: HOW TO DRESS UP TO THE NINES THIS SEASON

‘Tis the season for holiday parties. While some events may only call for a festive holiday sweater, others will require winter formal dresses—oh boy, where do you start?

This is your chance to rock sequins, jewels, and velvet—all in one outfit. A floor-length gown? You don’t need to think twice! During the holidays, you can get away with all the glitz and glam. That’s what winter formal wear is all about: you get to dress up to the nines!

With that said, there are certainly a lot of options. So, where do you start? Right here—with these five winter formal dresses. (You’ll feel like you just walked out on the red carpet!)

🌟 Slinky red dress with rhinestones

Red is a classic color to wear over the holidays—but to really dress it up, pick a dress covered in rhinestones. (Duh!)

Rhinestones are an easy way to crank up the glam for your winter formal dress. Plus, they add beautiful texture. Depending on the pattern, they can also help accentuate your hourglass shape. (And you know we never say no to a slimming effect!)

If you choose a slinky silhouette, opt for a mermaid dress. It hugs your hips and flares at or below the knees—creating a mermaid-like “tail” that’s utterly elegant!

Don’t shy away from accessories for this outfit. Throw your hair up in a tight bun and add some shoulder-grazing earrings. An embellished clutch will help complete this chic number.

🌟 Long, red velvet dress

You already know we love red mermaid dresses, but we encourage you to explore velvet to add some festive feels.

It’s not only perfect for a winter formal dress, but the fabric is also warm! You can’t get away with velvet on a hot summer day.

Plus, it pairs very well with silver and gold. Add a sparkly belt to cinch the waist—and draw the eyes to that sexy waistline.

Speaking of sexy, a sweetheart or deep-v neckline is just the thing to crank up the heat. If you’re looking for more support and coverage, look for a gown with an illusion v-neck, which features sheer or semi-sheer fabric.

If your dress is sleeveless, it’s time to rock that bold bracelet that’s sitting in your jewelry box. The more jewels and sparkle—the better!

🌟 Off-the-shoulder green bedazzled dress

Remember when we said you could rock all the glitz you want? This winter formal dress has it all—beads, jewels, and glitter. All eyes will be on you!

Like red, green is a timeless color for winter formal events. A jewel tone, like emerald, is a chic choice.

We’re big fans of off-the-shoulder sleeves. Why? It allows you to show off your beautiful shoulders! Plus, it emphasizes an hourglass shape. If you opt for a mermaid or A-line silhouette, that’ll shrink your waistline even more.

When it comes to accessories, you can rock a bold close-fitting necklace. Or, leave your collar bare—that’s bold in itself! You can always pull your hair back or to the side and throw on a pair of dazzling earrings. (We’ll always encourage drawing attention to that gorgeous face of yours.)

🌟 Short, gold embellished dress

Looking for a short winter formal dress? We’ve got you covered. While it’s not floor-length, it still checks off all the boxes.

Gold is another go-to color for holiday outfits—it’s celebratory, it’s luxurious, and it’s certainly eye-catching.

Play around with different textures. You can mix mesh, sequins, beads, and more!

This is another opportunity to bare those shoulders. You could go strapless or rock off-the-shoulder sleeves. Either way, a sweetheart neckline would keep this dress sexy and elegant.

Because it’s a short dress, don’t forget to pair it with a stunning pair of heels. We suggest nude heels to elongate your legs.

While a red lip works for most outfits, it’s just what you need to complete this gold-tone look.

🌟 Black and gold tulle gown

If you’re looking for a winter formal gown with more volume, this black and gold tulle gown has your name written all over it!

Tulle is a gal’s best friend—it makes any outfit whimsical and adds just the right amount of fancy.

Black is an excellent choice for any formal event. But when paired with gold sequins, you’ll be taking this dress to a whole new level.

Because the skirt is full-bodied, we recommend choosing a dress with a fitted bodice. Again, this is to build a flattering hourglass shape.

We recommend putting your hair up in a tight bun or ponytail. No need to hide your face in this gown!

Time to find your perfect winter formal dress

While we’ve shown you five showstopping winter formal dresses, there are many more where they came from. Explore our gallery of formal gowns to find the right one for you.

Or, take a look at this festive blog post on Christmas outfit ideas. When it comes to holiday outfit inspo, we’ve got you covered.