Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Ideas

It's every woman's lament. You've been invited to a Christmas party, but when you look at the hundreds of clothes in your closet, you have absolutely nothing to wear.

And yet, there are a plethora of stores wanting to sell you the perfect party outfit. Depending on the occasion, here are the top five Christmas party outfit ideas that are both versatile and budget friendly.

Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Idea #1: The Little "Black" Dress

Every woman has that little black dress that they can wear pretty much anywhere. To make your dress more festive, try dressing it up with accessories like red shoes, jewelry, and a clutch purse.

If you want something like a little black dress, but want more color, try buying a red dress. Red is a color that looks great on most women, and it's a solid primary color that can be worn almost anywhere. I have a red dress in my closet that I wear to weddings, graduations, nightclubs, etc. It's the essential party dress, and it was worth every penny I paid for it.

If you don't have a universal party dress yet, try looking at Kohl's or the Dress Barn, retailers that sell stylish clothing at reasonable prices. Kohl's also has a generous rewards program if you open up a credit card with them, and they run several sales a month.

Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Idea #2: Sophisticated Separates

If you need to look formal, but don't want to wear a dress, try wearing separates. Another essential in every woman's closet is a pair of really nice black slacks and/or a skirt. Pair this with a festive or high-quality sweater or blouse, and you can wear this outfit to office parties or cocktail hour.

Again, Kohl's a great retailer for finding inexpensive formal wear, but I have also found really nice pants and sweaters at Old Navy, the Gap, Target, and Lane Bryant. For black pants, spending a little more money is probably worth the investment if you are going to wear this piece a lot, so I would recommend going to a higher quality retailer like Dilliard's or Macy's. This is especially true if you need a special size like petite or tall. The important thing with these clothes is to make sure they fit right, so that you will feel comfortable as well as fit right. When in doubt, ask the sales associates for assistance, it's what they're there for.

Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Idea #3: Casual Elegance

If the party is casual, but you still want to look nice, I recommend wearing a pair of dark blue or black jeans with a cute top and nice shoes. Make sure the jeans don't have any any holes or designs on them. A simple solid color will help make this outfit more versatile, and you can wear it to dinner, church, or a casual get-together. The same goes for long sleeved t-shirts and sweaters. I am not a great stylist when it comes to picking out patterns, so to look festive during casual Christmas parties, I will usually wear dark jeans with a solid red or solid green sweater, a pair of boots, and a nice scarf that will both keep me warm and look stylish. In fact, I think it's one of my favorite outfits during the winter because it's also warm.

You can find this look pretty much anywhere for reasonable prices, especially Target, Kmart, Walmart, and Old Navy. You can also try the Dress Barn or Fashion Bug for simple, casual choices.

Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Idea #4: Outdoor or Sporty Comfort

Let's say you were invited to a Christmas party that is going to be held outdoors on a rooftop to view fireworks. Depending on which climate you live in, the key here is to dress for warmth and comfort.

If you live in warmer weather climates, you can wear any of the outfits already previously described. But if it's cold outside, and the party is a little bit dressy, make sure to wear a coat or shawl that accentuates your femininity and allows for sufficient mobility. Also, find out if the area you are going to be in is grass, cement, etc. We all know how difficult it is to walk across muddy grass with heels!

To find a wide selection of coats and outerwear, try the Burlington Coat Factory. For shoes and boots that are both stylish and comfortable, I recommend DSW.

Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Idea #5: Holiday Costumes

Yes, it's true. Some people throw Christmas Costume Parties. Or maybe you were asked to be Santa's helper and to dress the part. Whichever the case is, never fear. There are places where you can buy holiday costumes.

Two places online where I was able to find reasonably priced holiday costumes are Buycostumes.com and SantaSuits.com. They have everything from "naughty and nice" costumes to "Santa's helpers" to Mrs. Claus. The main thing is, have fun with it and put the experience in your memory banks to treasure as a unique, fun time!

Top 5 Christmas Party Outfit Idea Final Thoughts

While several Christmas party outfits and retailers have been listed above, I encourage everyone who is on a budget to look through their closet one more time and see if there's something in there you can already wear. Or call a friend and swap clothes for the party so that it looks like you are wearing new outfits.

If you must go shopping (like we women love to do), bring a buddy who will be honest with you about fit, style, etc. Shopping for that perfect outfit can be a trying experience, and it's important to bring a friend who can commiserate with you as well as join you for cocktails afterwards!

And after you've found the perfect outfit for this year's Christmas party or parties, remember to have fun and embrace the spirit of the season. After all, it's what the holidays are all about.

Sources:

My dear friend and personal shopping guru Jill, who has dragged me to every single one of the stores listed above when I whined that I had nothing to wear.