What do I wear if the dress code is "festive"?

This usually means a dress, a two-piece set or trousers with a dressy top. Choose dark or muted colours and one accent such as shine or jewellery. If in doubt, ask the hosts.

What is the difference between festive and elegant?

Elegant describes a calm, clean style that also works at the office. Festive goes one step further, for example with shine, special fabrics or a more formal cut. An elegant piece can be made festive with accessories.

How do I make a plain outfit festive?

Swap one everyday piece for a piece with shine, lace or texture. Jewellery, a small bag and finer shoes help too. One accent is enough.

Festive Outfit for Women: Dress or Set

A festive outfit for women is a dress, a two-piece set, or trousers with a dressy top. Add a calm colour and one or two accents such as sparkle, lace or jewellery.

Birthday, Christmas party or New Year’s Eve: for festive occasions it is often unclear how dressed up you need to be. You do not have to wear a long evening gown. This guide shows which options you have, how to choose colours and accessories, and where to read more for each occasion.

What is a festive outfit for women?

A festive outfit looks finer than your everyday look. It usually has a special fabric, a touch of shine or a clean, calm line. Jeans and trainers are usually seen as too casual for festive occasions.

Festive does not automatically mean long or elaborate. The occasion decides: at an evening party it can be more formal than at the office Christmas party. More ideas for parties are covered in the guide Party outfit for women.

A simple rule of thumb: one piece is the eye-catcher, the rest stays calm. This applies to a dress, a two-piece set and trousers alike.

Festive clothes for women: dress or two-piece set?

The dress. It is the easiest solution because you only have to choose one piece. A dress in black, burgundy or taupe is often seen at festive occasions. If it feels too plain, jewellery, a belt or a scarf adds the final accent. You can find a selection in the dresses for women.

The two-piece set. A top and trousers or skirt in the same tone look like a dress. You can also wear the pieces separately and combine them differently later. That makes the set a flexible choice. Take a look at the two-piece sets.

Dress with a jacket. A blazer, a cape or a short jacket makes the dress suitable for cool evenings. It is also a common solution for church or an afternoon celebration.

Festive trousers with a top: how does the look work?

Trousers are a good alternative to a dress at festive occasions. What matters is that they look fluid or smooth and not like everyday wear. Wide trousers, satin and lace are often seen. Add a dressy top. More ideas for the look with trousers are in our guide Dressy Trouser Outfits for Women.

Lace adds structure and looks festive. You can find a selection in the lace tops.
Glitter and sequins are the eye-catcher for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. A plain dark pair of trousers goes with them.
A blouse in cream or black is the calm option when the trousers already stand out.

The rule: if the trousers are plain, the top can shine. If the trousers stand out, the top stays calm.

Which colours suit festive fashion?

Black is the classic choice and suits many occasions. Dark tones such as burgundy, forest green or navy look festive.

Black is the safe choice for evenings and winter.
Burgundy and green look warm and suit Christmas well.
Taupe, beige and champagne are calm and combine well with shine.
Pink looks softer and is often seen at spring and summer celebrations.

Tone on tone looks especially calm. If you mix colours, stick to two tones plus a metallic such as gold or silver.

Festive fashion over 50: what matters?

Festive fashion over 50 follows the same rules as any other festive fashion: a clear occasion, a calm colour, one eye-catcher. There is no rule about what you may wear at which age.

For festive clothes, simple lines, a fine fabric and one detail in the spotlight help. That can be a top with sparkle, a lovely neckline or a striking scarf. Choose what suits you and the occasion and what you feel good in.

If you are looking for a family celebration, you will find ideas in the guide Outfits for women: ideas for complete outfits. For everyday and work, you will find ideas in the guide Elegant outfits for women.

Which accessories belong with a festive outfit?

Accessories turn a nice outfit into a festive one. Less is often more: one accent is enough.

Shoes: Pumps, ankle boots or plain boots with a small heel. If you stand or dance for a long time, choose shoes you enjoy walking in.
Bag: A small clutch or slim shoulder bag in black, gold or silver.
Jewellery: Either statement earrings or a necklace, not both large.
Jacket or scarf: A blazer, a cape or a scarf keeps you warm on cold evenings and completes the outfit.
Tights: Fine, black tights go with a dress and a skirt.

Three festive outfits

Classic. Black dress, black tights, ankle boots with a small heel, clutch and gold earrings. Timeless and suitable for many occasions.

Two-piece set with lace. A lace top and wide trousers in the same tone, plain shoes and little jewellery. It looks like a dress but is more flexible.

With shine. Black trousers, a top with sequins, ankle boots and a small bag. The shine carries the outfit, the rest stays calm.

Matching items in the shop: Elegant fashion for women.

For the holidays you will find ideas in the guide Christmas outfit for women. For New Year’s Eve, the article New Year’s Eve outfit for women helps.

Frequently asked questions

What is a festive outfit for women?

A festive outfit is a dress, a two-piece set or trousers with a dressy top. It looks finer than everyday wear, for example through shine, lace or a special fabric.