Winter party outfits are fun to put together, but dressing up when it’s freezing outside can be a little tricky. You might love a mini dress or a satin skirt, but then comes the question of what shoes, tights, or coat to wear with it.
I’ve put together some of my favorite outfit ideas for casual parties, birthday dinners, Christmas celebrations, and dressier nights out.
There are plenty of ways to wear sequins, velvet, satin, and even your favorite cozy sweater. I’ll also share little styling tips along the way to help you recreate these looks with pieces you already have and make them work for colder weather.
What Should You Wear to a Winter Party?
It really depends on where you’re going and how dressed up everyone will be.
For a casual party at someone’s house, I’d probably go with a nice sweater and sequin pants or dark jeans with a dressy top. You don’t need a completely new outfit. Sometimes changing your everyday sweater for a satin blouse or adding a sparkly skirt is enough.
For dinner parties or more formal celebrations, I love velvet dresses, satin skirts, and tailored trousers with pretty tops.
And if you already have a little black dress, try wearing it with burgundy tights or statement earrings. Small changes can make an outfit feel completely different.
One thing I’d think about before choosing anything is how you’re getting to the party.
If you’ll be walking outside, those strappy heels might not be the best idea, especially if it’s icy.
Knee-high boots can look beautiful with shorter dresses, and a long wool coat is worth having ready for the trip there and back.
Casual Winter Party Outfits
For a casual winter party, jeans with a sparkly top or a cozy sweater with a sequin skirt can work beautifully. These are good options for dinner with friends or a gathering at someone’s house when you want something a little dressier than your everyday clothes.
Wide-Leg Jeans With a Sparkly Top and Blazer
Jeans can absolutely work for a winter party, especially if you’re going out for drinks or meeting friends for a casual dinner. I love how the sparkly black corset top makes these light-wash, wide-leg jeans feel dressier, while the oversized blazer brings everything together.
If you want to recreate this look, start with your favorite wide-leg jeans and add a top you’d normally save for a night out. A satin camisole, lace bodysuit, or something with a little sparkle would all work.
I’d also think about the wash of your jeans. Light-wash denim keeps the outfit relaxed, like in the picture, while dark-wash jeans would be a better choice for a slightly dressier restaurant or birthday celebration.
And don’t feel like you need heels. Pointed-toe ankle boots would look great with this combination, especially if you’ll be walking outside in the cold.
Gray Cardigan and Sequin Pants
The silver sequin trousers are already dressy, so I like the idea of wearing them with a gray cardigan instead of another sparkly top. The pearl-like trim adds a pretty detail, and those burgundy pointed-toe shoes are such a good choice with silver.
You could recreate this combination with a plain gray or cream cardigan, too. The cardigan doesn’t have to be special when the trousers are already the statement piece.
Oversized Sweater With a Sequin Midi Skirt
Here’s another way to wear sequins, and I actually prefer this combination if you already own a sparkly skirt but never know what to wear with it.
The gray sweater tones down the silver sequins beautifully. I also like that the sweater looks relaxed while the skirt has a much dressier feel.
You don’t need to buy a special party top for a sequin skirt. Try a plain crewneck sweater from your closet. A fine-knit sweater will give you a neater, dressier look, while something chunkier makes the outfit more casual.
And if you’re going somewhere that involves walking outside, you can swap the strappy sandals for black knee-high boots. They work especially well under a midi skirt.
Cream Monochrome Winter Dinner Outfit
This cream outfit would be a lovely choice for a winter dinner party, especially if the dress code is elegant but not particularly formal.
The cream turtleneck, blazer, and satin maxi skirt look beautiful together. What makes the outfit interesting is the combination of different fabrics.
The soft knit and structured blazer look completely different from the satin skirt, even though they’re almost the same color.
I also like the burgundy bag here. It’s a small detail, but it gives the outfit some contrast.
You could use a chocolate-brown or burgundy bag and matching boots if you want to recreate the look.
Classy Winter Party Outfits
For winter dinner parties and cocktail events, satin, velvet, and tailored separates are all good choices. These outfits are a little dressier than the casual looks above, with options for anyone who prefers trousers or a long skirt over a party dress.
Satin Blouse With a Sequin Mini Skirt
The gathered neckline gives this champagne satin blouse a lovely shape, especially with the black sequin skirt. And I like the champagne color here because it feels a little softer than wearing bright white with black.
If you want to try a similar outfit, look for a blouse with draping around the neckline or a soft tie detail. A regular satin button-down would work, too, but I’d leave a couple of buttons open for a more relaxed neckline.
Black sheer tights and pointed-toe heels would be a good choice for a winter cocktail party, especially if you don’t want to wear the skirt with bare legs.
Long-Sleeve Red Maxi Dress
A long-sleeve red dress is a beautiful option for a formal winter dinner or cocktail party, especially if you don’t want to wear anything sparkly.
I particularly like the draping around the neckline and the long, fitted shape of this dress. The neckline is already interesting, so I’d skip a necklace and wear earrings instead.
You can also make a long red dress feel a little less formal by changing the accessories. Black pointed-toe heels and a small shoulder bag would work for a restaurant dinner, while metallic heels and an evening clutch make more sense for a dressier celebration.
And don’t feel like you can only wear red dresses at Christmas. This one would work for a winter birthday or Valentine’s Day dinner, too.
Burgundy Satin Top and Maxi Skirt
I love matching satin sets for winter parties because they look like a dress, but you can get so much more wear out of them. This burgundy set is especially pretty with the draped neckline and long, flowing skirt.
If you want to recreate the look with pieces you already own, try combining similar shades rather than worrying about finding an exact match.
A wine-colored satin blouse can look beautiful with a darker burgundy skirt. I’d just pay attention to the fabric finishes. If one piece is very shiny and the other is matte, the difference will be more noticeable, which can actually look lovely when it’s intentional.
This would work for a winter dinner party or a dressier Christmas celebration. You could also wear the satin top with black trousers another time, or pair the skirt with a cream sweater for a more relaxed look.
White Corset Top With Tailored Trousers
If you don’t feel like wearing a dress, this is a beautiful alternative for a winter cocktail party. The white corset top makes the outfit feel special, while the wide-leg trousers give it that elegant, tailored look.
One thing I’d pay attention to is the fabric of the trousers. Regular white cotton pants or linen trousers can look too casual for an evening party. I’d choose crepe or a good suiting fabric that holds its shape. The difference is especially noticeable with an all-white outfit, where you don’t have contrasting colors to make things interesting.
I also like the pointed white shoes. You could wear metallic heels instead, but I think keeping everything white makes this combination look particularly elegant.
A tailored cream blazer would work beautifully for an indoor winter event, especially if you’d like a little more coverage around your shoulders. For the trip outside, I’d still bring a warm coat.
And you don’t need a corset to recreate this outfit. A structured satin top or an off-the-shoulder blouse would look just as good with those trousers.
White Bow Jacket and Black Satin Maxi Skirt
This is such a pretty way to dress up a simple black maxi skirt. The white jacket with black bows makes the entire outfit feel festive, and I love that the shoes and bag pick up the black details.
If you already have a black satin skirt, try styling it with a special cardigan or jacket instead of buying another party dress. Look for decorative buttons, pretty trim, or an interesting neckline. Even a plain white cardigan could work with a little black ribbon tied at the neckline.
This would be a pretty choice for a Christmas dinner or a winter restaurant party.
If you’re looking for more outfit ideas, you can also follow my LTK for clothing and accessories you can mix with pieces already in your closet. I share outfit inspiration and finds from different retailers there.
Winter Night Out and Birthday Party Outfits
For a winter birthday, drinks with friends, or a night out, you can have a little more fun with tights, mini skirts, and dressy boots. These looks are especially good for evenings when you want something different from your usual dinner outfit.
Black Mini Dress With Burgundy Tights
I love how the burgundy tights completely change this little black dress. The dress itself is fairly simple, but the tights give it a much more interesting look.
The matching burgundy bag is my favorite detail. When you’re wearing colored tights, repeating that shade in one accessory is an easy way to make them look intentional. You don’t need to match everything, though. I’d keep the shoes black, just like in the picture.
Burgundy is also a good color to start with if you’ve never worn colored tights. It looks beautiful with black, charcoal gray, navy, and chocolate brown. You can try them with skirts and sweater dresses you already own.
The black slingbacks look lovely here, but Mary Jane heels would be another fun option for a winter birthday outfit. If it’s particularly cold, look for more opaque tights rather than the very sheer styles.
You can find more ideas for changing the look of a simple black dress in my guide to accessorizing a black dress.
Black Velvet Mini Dress and Sheer Tights
What I like about this black velvet dress is the combination of the sheer neckline, little buttons, and velvet fabric. It has a slightly vintage feel, but the silver pointed-toe shoes give it a more modern look.
I’d actually keep the accessories quite minimal here because the dress already has several interesting details. The metallic shoes are enough to make it feel special for a winter evening party.
And if you love sheer black tights but they’re not warm enough where you live, look for fleece-lined tights with a sheer appearance. They’re a useful alternative when you want the same look with more warmth, although some are noticeably thicker than regular sheer tights.
Sequin Mini Skirt With a Blazer and Knee-High Boots
Knee-high boots are a great choice with a sequin mini skirt, especially for a winter birthday or a night out. They give you more coverage than heels, and the oversized blazer makes the outfit a little more relaxed.
If you’re recreating this combination, try a fitted black top underneath the blazer. It doesn’t need any special detail because the skirt is already sparkly.
You can also change the look depending on your boots. A sleek pair with a heel makes the outfit dressier, while flat leather boots work better for a casual night out. I’d choose black boots for this particular combination to keep the attention on the sequin skirt.
Belted Blazer and Sheer Black Maxi Skirt
Sheer skirts can look beautiful in photos, but figuring out what to wear underneath them is another story.
What makes this outfit work is the structured black blazer with the delicate, transparent skirt. I like the belt, too, because it gives the blazer a more tailored shape.
If you’re trying a sheer maxi skirt for a winter evening outfit, I’d choose the underlayer first.
A black mini slip works if you’re comfortable showing more leg through the skirt. For more coverage, try a knee-length slip or a skirt with an opaque upper section and sheer fabric below.
The underlayer doesn’t have to be exactly the same length as the outer skirt. That difference is part of the look. Just check how everything appears in bright indoor lighting, since some sheer fabrics become more transparent under strong lights or camera flash.
I’d choose a simple black camisole underneath the blazer and let the skirt be the interesting part of the outfit.
Black Satin Mini Dress
I love a black fit-and-flare dress for a birthday dinner because it’s easy to change the look without changing the dress.
The square neckline and full skirt already make this one pretty, so I’d skip the belt. For a dressy winter birthday, I’d wear it with pointed-toe heels and a little evening bag. If I wanted a more playful look, I’d try sheer tights and Mary Jane shoes.
Dressy Winter Holiday Party Outfits
These winter party outfits are a little more glamorous, with velvet dresses, sequins, and faux-fur details. They’re good choices for Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve, formal birthday celebrations, and other occasions with a dressier dress code.
Burgundy Velvet Mini Dress With Faux-Fur Trim
This burgundy velvet dress is probably one of the most festive looks in the article. I love the faux-fur trim around the neckline and the pretty jeweled details. It almost has a vintage holiday-party feel, especially with the matching gloves.
If you like this style, look for velvet dresses with an interesting neckline or decorative trim. Those details can make a simple dress feel special without needing additional accessories.
The gloves are a beautiful touch, but I wouldn’t feel like you have to wear them. For a more wearable version of this outfit, I’d skip the gloves and choose classic black heels with a small evening bag.
This is the kind of dress I’d wear for a Christmas cocktail party or a more formal holiday dinner. And if you’re looking for less glamorous holiday ideas, my Christmas outfits for ladies over 50 guide has more options for both casual and dressy celebrations.
White Feather-Trim Blazer With a Sparkly Top
This is definitely more of an indoor party look, but I love the white feather-trimmed blazer with the sparkly top. It’s a fun combination for New Year’s Eve or a glamorous holiday celebration.
If you want something similar with more coverage, try white tailored trousers instead. You’d still have the beautiful all-white look, and the sparkly top would stand out against the simpler trousers.
I also think this is a good example of how one unusual detail can change an outfit. You could wear a feather-trimmed jacket over a plain satin camisole and still get that festive effect.
Silver Sequin Mini Dress With Faux Fur
A silver sequin dress is a fun choice for New Year’s Eve, but it can also work for a dressy winter birthday or evening celebration.
I love the silver mini dress with the white faux-fur jacket. The combination has that glamorous winter-party feel, and the jacket looks beautiful against the silver sequins.
One thing I’d consider with a sequin dress is how it feels when you move. Some sequins can scratch around the arms or neckline, especially if the dress doesn’t have a soft lining. I’d always check that before choosing one for an event where I’ll be wearing it for several hours.
You can also recreate the idea with a plain metallic dress and a faux-fur jacket if you don’t want to wear sequins from head to toe.
Burgundy Velvet Mini Dress With a Long Coat
The burgundy velvet looks beautiful with the black tights and pointed-toe heels. I especially like the long dark coat because it makes the whole outfit feel more appropriate for colder weather.
When choosing a coat for a velvet party dress, I’d pay attention to the fabric. A smooth wool coat usually works beautifully over velvet, while another heavy velvet or very textured jacket can make the combination look too busy.
Best Colors for Winter Party Outfits
Black, burgundy, cherry red, champagne, ivory, and metallic silver are some of the best colors for winter party outfits. Gray and white are also good options, especially if you prefer something lighter than the traditional holiday colors.
I’ve included a color guide below using some of the outfits from this article. You can use it for ideas if you’re trying to decide which colors to wear together.
Soft Ivory: Try cream with chocolate brown or burgundy accessories. It’s a pretty combination for a winter dinner party.
Champagne: A champagne satin blouse looks beautiful with black trousers or a skirt. I especially like this shade if bright gold feels a little too much.
Cherry Red: Black shoes are an easy choice with a red dress, but cream or gold can give it a different feel.
Pearl Gray: Try gray with silver for a softer take on a sparkly outfit. You could also pair gray with burgundy if you prefer something without sequins.
Burgundy: Chocolate brown, black, and cream all look lovely with burgundy. I particularly like burgundy velvet for dressier winter events.
Black: A good choice for almost any winter party. If you’re wearing all black, try combining satin with velvet or sheer details.
White: White and silver work beautifully for holiday parties. Black accessories can also look lovely with an all-white outfit if you want more contrast.
Metallic Silver: You don’t need to wear sequins from head to toe. A silver skirt, bag, or pair of shoes can be enough for a festive evening.
Final Thoughts
Before choosing your winter party outfit, think about where you’re going and how dressed up the occasion will be. There’s no reason to wear a sequin dress to a casual dinner if you’d feel more comfortable in jeans and a pretty top.
And whatever you choose, make sure you’ve figured out the shoes and coat before the evening. Those two things can make a big difference when you’re getting dressed for a party in winter.
If you found a few outfits you’d like to try, save this article to Pinterest so you can come back to the ideas when you’re getting ready for your next party. You can also follow MaridFashion on Pinterest for more outfit inspiration throughout the season.
