10 Party Dress & Shoes Combos To Inspire All Your Holiday Outfits

With party season nearly upon us, the annual outfit dilemmas are starting to flood the group chat. Does the office holiday celebration call for an LBD or a structured midi? Should you wear sequins or velvet for the cocktail soirée? Stiletto boots or ballet flats to the dinner party? 

Fortunately, partywear has gotten looser over the years — which means there’s no one formula for the perfect holiday outfit. The runways have given us permission — encouraged us, even — to style dresses over pants and to don our cowboy boots to the function. Meanwhile, designer-approved trends like bubble skirts and burgundy hues are very adaptable, as suitable for the office as the dance floor.

For the planners and procrastinators alike, scroll on for 10 modern dress-and-shoes combinations — courtesy of 10 stylish creators — to see you through all of December.

Level up the comfort of your favorite slip dress (preferably one with lace detailing or a festive colorway) with a pair of dad sneakers. 

The dress-over-pants trend is a holiday season-win. Pair a sheer dress with heeled boots and trousers to stay warm and chic.

Make a statement with highlighter-bright hues. Color-block your favorite neons and wait for the compliments to flow. 

If the party calls for more formal attire, a black cocktail dress will always come through with holiday glam. Pair with platform sandals for a more comfortable shoe option.

Dare to wear a bold print for a festive night on the town. Play with florals, stripes or animal patterns and link them up with a biker boot for a trendy touch. 

Reds and greens are no-brainers this time of year. Style one color from head to toe, pair the hues together, or play around with non-traditional shades, like a forest green or deep burgundy. 

One for the work parties and daytime get-togethers: A maxi dress with knee-high boots make a timeless look.

Own the festive theme with a metallic dress and accessories. Add some interest by layering with a graphic tee or utilitarian jacket.

Sequin and diamanté details are a party lover’s best friend. Sparkle in a cool printed mini and with bold heels to match.

2024 has been the year of the bubble hem, so it’s only right to end it in one. Wear a mini or maxi with ballet flats, knee-high boots or a solid pair of pumps.