The invitation says “festive attire”. Your wardrobe says “black jeans, again”. Relax: the runways have done the thinking for you. Fall/Winter 2026 swaps the obligatory sequin dress for velvet, gothic lace, liquid metal and gloves that reach the elbow. Here are seven holiday party outfits for every kind of invite, from the office party to the dinner that ends at 3 a.m.
A quick reality check first: a holiday party outfit has to survive a cloakroom queue, a buffet and at least one colleague who insists on karaoke. So we picked looks that work beyond the first photo. The good news: this season’s key pieces are surprisingly wearable.
1. Velvet, all the way
Velvet is back, and it is not here for a cameo. Khaite, Alaïa and Calvin Klein Collection showed it tailored from head to toe, Ralph Lauren Collection and Colleen Allen went strapless and figure-skimming. The trick for 2026: go monochrome. A velvet suit in bottle green or deep red looks expensive even if it is not. Especially if it is not.
2. Gothic romance (yes, at the office party)
Erdem, Simone Rocha and Pauline Dujancourt went dark and sensual this season, and Saint Laurent paired lace with evening dresses and vampy collars. Think Wednesday Addams on a good day. For the office: a lace camisole under a sharp blazer. For everything after: lose the blazer.
3. Liquid metal
Forget disco ball. 2026 metallics are fluid: Gucci showed a lamé-jersey midi dress, Saint Laurent an embellished jersey maxi. The effect is less “New Year’s countdown” and more “I own a yacht and never mention it”. Keep accessories quiet, the dress does the talking.
4. The opera glove comeback
Long gloves are this season’s most dramatic accessory, from Khaite’s suede pair to Nour Hammour’s burgundy leather and Anna Sui’s leopard print. The rule: at least to the elbow. Worn with a simple black dress, they turn “I came straight from work” into “I came straight from the opera”. Nobody needs to know which one is true.
5. Sparkle on knit
Hate sequins? Good news: this season embellishment leaves the evening gown behind. Miu Miu, Dice Kayek and Rescha put crystals and pearls on everyday pieces, and Chanel, Prada and Miu Miu styled the cardigan as a going-out piece. An embellished cardigan with a silk skirt is the most comfortable party look you will ever own. More in our knitwear trends for fall/winter 2026/27.
6. Pyjama party, upgraded
The most elegant way to look like you did not try. Olivia von Halle’s Soirée collection takes silk velvet pyjamas with crystals to the dance floor, for example the Coco pyjamas in Ritzy Red (£1,500 at Olivia von Halle). Too much? The Lola slip dress in silk satin with fringe (£850) does the same job with less fabric.
Get the look: Soirée collection at Olivia von Halle
7. And the gentlemen?
The same rules apply, just with less fringe. A dark velvet blazer over a fine-knit rollneck beats the tired suit-and-tie routine every time, and the season’s colours (bottle green, deep red, purple) work beautifully on men too. Top it off with a coat from our men’s coat trends. Shoes: polished, please. The karaoke colleague will be looking.
What colour should I wear to a holiday party?
Black, obviously, and always. But if you want to stand out: the runways pushed bottle green, scarlet, deep red and purple, with ochre and chartreuse for the brave. One strong colour per look is plenty.
Our tip to finish: Choose the outfit you can still dance in at 1 a.m. Everything else is just a very expensive photo.
Read more: Fall/Winter 2026/27 Boot Trends: The 6 Most Important Boots of the Season
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