You know those holiday gatherings where you want to look a little nicer than usual, but you don’t need to get all dressed up? Like dinner at a friend’s house, a Favorite Things party, a Christmas gift exchange, or a holiday work party?
There are lots of fun events during the holidays, and figuring out what to wear doesn’t have to feel stressful. Today I’m sharing elevated casual holiday party outfits that are festive and put together without being overdressed.
(And soon, I’ll show you some super casual holiday outfits AND dressier holiday outfits, so stay tuned.)
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
8 Elevated Casual Holiday Party Outfits
One of the easiest ways to look a little dressier for a holiday gathering is to start with jeans and dress them up.
Choose a pretty blouse or sweater, add nice flats or pointed-toe boots, and don’t forget some metallic jewelry. Little changes like these can make an outfit feel more special without having to buy an entirely new outfit.
1. Plaid Top + Jeans + Pointed-Toe Boots
Plaid in festive colors is always a fun option for the holidays, and you can wear it throughout the entire season!
Button-up shirts can sometimes feel stiff and stuffy, so the ruffled collar and sleeves are especially notable here because they give this one a softer touch. It’s available in 3 colorways and in straight, petite, and plus sizes HERE.
I paired it with dark-wash jeans and pointed-toe boots, which both help make the outfit feel dressier.
Shop the Outfit:
Shirt (wearing size S)
Dark Wash Jeans (wearing size 28)
Boots (wearing size 9)
Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
2. Chunky Sweater + Dark-Wash Jeans + Pointed-Toe Boots
Here’s a reminder that you don’t have to wear red or green to a holiday party! A pretty berry-colored sweater can work just as well, and this one is so soft! It’s warm and super cozy, but it doesn’t feel heavy. And the color is gorgeous! Available in straight and petite sizes, XXS to XXL, HERE.
Again, I went with pointed-toe boots and dark-wash jeans to give this super casual sweater a more polished feel. I also added gold earrings to dress it up more. A little shine goes a long way for holiday party outfits!
If you’re looking for boots for your elevated casual outfits, THIS is a good pair to check out! Another option is THIS pair from Nordstrom. (<<link to the Nordstrom Alida boots, Nordstrom Creator)
Shop the Outfit:
Sweater (wearing size S)
Dark Wash Jeans (wearing size 28)
Boots (wearing size 9)
Earrings
3. Black Blouse + Dark Wash Flare Jeans + Burgundy Heels
Another EASY formula for an elevated casual holiday party is a pretty blouse with jeans.
If you have a solid-colored blouse in your wardrobe, you can copy this look! I paired a black blouse with flare jeans and burgundy heels. The heels add a little holiday color to an outfit you can put together with pieces you may already own.
This is the kind of outfit I’d consider for a holiday dinner or a party where I want to look a little nicer but jeans are still totally appropriate.
And by the way, if you don’t have a go-to blouse that you can wear to work or pull out for dinners when you need to get dressed in a pinch, this one is a good one! I’ve had it for years, and it’s super versatile, easy to style, and affordable. Find it in tons of colors HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Blouse (wearing size S)
Jeans (wearing size 6)
Shoes (similar)
Earrings
4. Festive Sweater + Jeans + Metallic Earrings
Remember this Merry sweater from my recent try-on haul? I showed it there with jeans and sneakers for a more laid-back Christmas outfit. But you can also dress it up a little!
Pair the sweater with wide-leg jeans and pointed-toe boots, then finish it off with metallic earrings. Same festive sweater, but a slightly different feel!
Notice how dark-wash jeans, pointed-toe shoes, and metallic accessories work with several different tops? That’s a great outfit formula to remember for holiday gatherings! Once you have those staples in your wardrobe, you can pull together elevated casual holiday outfits sooo easily.
Shop the Outfit:
Sweater (wearing size S)
Dark Wash Jeans (wearing size 28)
Boots (wearing size 9)
Earrings
5. Black-and-White Plaid + Faux Leather Pants + Red Accents
If you want something other than jeans, faux leather pants are a fun option that add an even dressier touch without being super fancy.
I paired these with a black-and-white plaid top and red flats. The pops of red from the accessories add a festive touch!
I topped it all off with a faux fur jacket, which is from last year, but there is an updated one HERE. If you prefer, you can opt for a black blazer or a black moto jacket instead!
If you’d rather wear jeans, here’s another way to style the same top! I went with cuffed jeans and loafers for a different look from the dark-wash jeans and pointed-toe shoes in the other outfits.
Shop the Outfits:
Top (wearing size S)
Pants (similar, similar, similar)
Jeans (wearing size 6)
Jacket (similar)
Flats
Loafers (wearing size 9)
Red Earrings
Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
6. Plaid Top With Boyfriend Jeans, a Red Cardigan, and Flats
Here’s another way to wear the plaid top from the first outfit!
This time I paired it with cuffed jeans, a red cardigan, and flats for a look that’s more relaxed but still so cute and festive!
Shop the Outfit:
Shirt (wearing size S)
Cardigan (similar)
Cuffed Jeans (wearing size 28)
Flats (wearing size 9)
Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
7. Jewel Tone Cardigan + Jeans + Flats
And here’s another option if traditional Christmas colors aren’t your thing! I paired this purple cardigan with medium-wash jeans and flats for a simple, polished outfit. You can wear all of these pieces well beyond the holidays, too!
This cardigan is so soft, BTW! It’s really comfy and cozy but isn’t bulky at all. Comes in 5 colors and in straight, petite, and plus sizes, HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Cardigan (wearing size S)
Tee (wearing size S)
Cuffed Jeans (wearing size 28)
Flats (wearing size 9)
Earrings (wearing size 30mm)
8. Blazer + Faux Leather Pants
Here’s another fun holiday party outfit that’s chic but is SO easy to pull together.
Pair your basic white camisole with black pants — or faux leather leggings for more texture, like I’m doing here — and throw on a colored blazer. So easy!
The green of the blazer gives the outfits a festive feel, while the faux leather pants make it a little dressier. I also added silver earrings for a little shine to finish it off!
By the way, a green blazer is something you can wear well beyond the holidays, too!
Shop the Outfit:
Tank (similar)
Blazer (wearing size S)
Pants (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes (similar)
More Holiday Outfit Ideas
There you go! These are outfits you can wear to so many holiday events, like school functions, casual work parties, gift exchanges, or dinner at a friend’s house.
If you need outfits that are more laid-back or outfits that are on the dressier side, stay tuned — they’re coming up soon.
Do you have any upcoming events where you’ll need elevated casual holiday outfits?
