(Sequined midi dress, in a size small, from Nordstrom.com)
It’s officially the holiday season.
Which means lots of PARTIES on the calendar which means HOLIDAY DRESSES are a need!
This is really one of the only times of the year that I feel like getting super fancy and when my jeans just won’t cut it. A fun cocktail dress is the perfect solution for a festive occasion.
This is the first year I have done a blog post like this, and it was after my fashion blogger friend Lauren Lefevre of Edit by Lauren asked me to join her in her annual holiday dresses roundup and try on session. She’s done them in the past and said this year she wanted to add me so that we could show our readers some of the cutest options for dresses since we have different styles and body types.
Nothing says you came to party like a sequined dress does!! This is Lauren’s sequined short Vince Camuto dress HERE and my C/MEO Collective dress HERE
Sometimes finding the perfect holiday dress is like trying on swimsuits – it can be a little difficult.
There weren’t a TON of dresses that we absolutely loved in store, so I’m only including pics of the ones we really liked and then a few online choices that I WISH we could have tried on that I loved.
And none over $300 because I wouldn’t ever spend more than that on a dress myself 🙂 I’ve got presents for my kids to buy too!!
That said, here is the round up of our favorite holiday dresses.
*Be sure to follow along to the end of this post where I will round up LOTS of fabulous online options.* (Ordering Tip : Since most stores don’t carry a ton of inventory, Lauren made the recommendation to order 3-4 options, try them on in the comfort of your own home and then return whatever you don’t want since these retailers accept free returns. There’s safety in ordering more options than not! She’s a true wardrobe stylist, so she knows what she’s talking about!)
This Maggy London floral dress had pockets. And I’m a sucker for ANY dress with pockets! And Lauren’s dress was beautifully simple in the front with the loose sleeves, but the back of her silk dress was where the party was at with a beautiful criss cross detail and ruffled back.
The see through neckline was just gorgeous and the red print was so girly and festive! The fact it was fitted at the waist but flared out after that was a key attribute for me because I love a forgiving swing skirt! For $158, I feel like this one is a huge steal.
This is the BB Dakota blue lace dress. I picked it up immediately because of the color. I’m a huge cobalt blue fan in general and this color stopped me in my tracks.
Just like sequins say “party person” I feel like lace speaks to the classy and sophisticated side of a lady! But it doesn’t have to mean stuffy by any means, I think lace can be very sexy and flattering!! This specific style I have on in this pic hasn’t gotten the best reviews online due to the top of the dress fitting funny and I’d have to agree. It was a bit large on the upper half but fit everywhere else like it was supposed to for my size.
So for what it’s worth, it’s a $105 dress and might would need alterations if your chest is less than ample! This Eliza J blue lace dress is a beautiful alternative option however if you love this color!
I couldn’t do a holiday dresses post without sharing an LBD (little black dress)!! This Ted Baker peplum dress fit like a glove.
As usual with Ted Baker, it’s a total vanity sizing thing. So I wore a size 1, which is super unusual as I’m always a 4 or up. The peplum and zippers that allowed you to show less or more leg and chest, was a neat attribute. I can see it being a wardrobe staple all year round and not just during the holidays because it could easily be dressed up or dressed down.
Here are some additional stunning dresses you can shop…
