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Every December I go through the same little panic. There is the church program, the cookie swap, a work party for my husband, Christmas Eve with his family and Christmas morning at home, and I have no idea what to wear to any of it.
So this year I made a list before the calendar filled up. Here are 24 Christmas outfit ideas for women, from cozy sweaters and plaid for the tree farm to velvet, sequins and a simple red dress for the party. Most are built from pieces you probably own already, with one festive piece doing the work. Each one links to the blogger who styled it. If you are planning family pictures too, our Christmas mini session ideas pair well with the looks here, and our Christmas nail ideas finish them off.
1. Red cardigan with a plaid mini skirt
SaveCredit: Merrick’s Art
A bright red cardigan buttoned up over a navy and red plaid skirt is about as Christmas as an outfit gets. It looks put together without trying too hard.
Black tights and lug sole ankle boots keep it warm enough for a trip to the tree farm or a cookie swap at a friend’s house.
2. Fair Isle sweater with dark flare jeans
SaveCredit: Pumps and Push Ups
A berry colored Fair Isle sweater is the kind of thing I reach for every December. Pair it with dark flare jeans and brown boots and you are ready for church supper or a day of errands in town.
Dark denim dresses the sweater up just enough. Tuck the front a little so the pattern sits right at your waist.
3. Green sweater with light wash jeans
SaveCredit: Wishes and Reality
Sometimes Christmas just means a soft sweater in a holiday color. This deep green crewneck with light wash jeans is easy, comfortable and still feels festive.
Black pointed booties keep it from looking too plain. It is a good outfit for wrapping presents at the kitchen table all afternoon.
4. Fair Isle sweater with a satin midi skirt
SaveCredit: Merrick’s Art
This is how to make a cozy sweater feel like a party. A green Fair Isle sweater goes over a long plum satin skirt, and the mix of knit and shine is so pretty.
Burgundy heels pick up the skirt color. Swap them for flat boots if you will be on your feet serving dinner.
5. Red sweater and plaid pajama pants
SaveCredit: MrsCasual
Christmas morning at our house happens in pajamas, and I like them to look a little special. A red sweater top with red and green plaid pajama pants photographs beautifully next to the tree.
Add fuzzy slippers and a warm hat if you will be out at the barn before the gifts. Matching sets for the whole family are easy to find from early November.
6. White cable sweater, scarf and snow boots
SaveCredit: Pinteresting Plans
For a walk through the Christmas lights or a morning at the farm market, warm comes first. A cream sweater, a fringed scarf and gray jeans look cozy and clean together.
White snow boots finish the snowy look and keep your feet dry. Carry a thermos of cocoa and you are set.
7. White coat over a Fair Isle sweater
SaveCredit: Pumps and Push Ups
A cream wool coat makes any holiday sweater feel dressed up. Here it goes over a red Fair Isle sweater with dark jeans and white sneakers.
This is my pick for a Christmas market or a parade, when you will be walking a lot. The bright sweater still shows when the coat is open.
8. Christmas tee with a red cardigan
SaveCredit: Classy Yet Trendy
A simple holiday graphic tee goes a long way in December. Layer a long red cardigan over a green Merry and Bright tee and add flare jeans.
Red flats and a small tan crossbody bag keep it polished for a casual party or a school concert.
9. Green Fair Isle sweater with cream jeans
SaveCredit: Classy Yet Trendy
Cream jeans with a green and white Fair Isle sweater feel fresh and snowy. It is a nice change from the usual red.
White sneakers and gold bow earrings make it cute enough for a holiday brunch. Pick a sweater with a little white in the pattern so the jeans tie in.
10. Green cardigan, tartan scarf and a satin skirt
SaveCredit: Classy Yet Trendy
A plaid scarf is the easiest way to make a plain outfit look like Christmas. Here a white top, a green cardigan and a black satin skirt get a red and green tartan scarf.
Black ankle boots and a structured bag make it right for a nice dinner out. Everything but the scarf works all winter long.
11. Red cardigan over a plaid blouse
SaveCredit: Classy Yet Trendy
A brown and red plaid blouse under a long red cardigan feels warm and a little old fashioned in the best way. A black satin skirt keeps it dressy.
Red flats repeat the cardigan color. This would be lovely for a Christmas Eve candlelight service.
12. Green cardigan over a tartan shirt
SaveCredit: Classy Yet Trendy
A black watch tartan shirt in navy and green looks so classic under a deep green cardigan. Black pants and black flats keep it simple.
It is a good outfit if you want to look festive without wearing red. It works for the office, a holiday luncheon or Christmas Day with family.
13. Chunky Christmas sweater with a red tulle skirt
SaveCredit: Doused in Pink
A red and white patterned sweater with a full red tulle skirt is pure holiday fun. It looks like a sweater for the cookie exchange and a dress for the party at the same time.
Black boots and a black bow clutch keep all that red grounded. It is warm enough to stand on the porch and greet guests.
14. White sweater with a red bow belt
SaveCredit: Doused in Pink
A white turtleneck sweater and a full black satin skirt look classic on their own. A red bow belt and red Mary Jane shoes turn them into a Christmas outfit.
This one is easy to copy with what you have. Tie a wide red ribbon around your waist if you do not own a bow belt.
15. Lace blouse and gray jeans by the fire
SaveCredit: Pinteresting Plans
For a quiet Christmas at home with family, a cream lace blouse looks soft and special. Gray skinny jeans and black pointed booties keep it relaxed.
It is the kind of outfit you can wear to Christmas dinner and still sit on the floor to play a game with the kids.
16. Sequin skirt with a cozy sweatshirt
SaveCredit: Pinteresting Plans
A silver sequin skirt with a plain gray sweatshirt is one of my favorite tricks. The sparkle says party and the sweatshirt says you are comfortable.
Clear heels let the skirt shine. Swap them for white sneakers for a more casual open house.
17. Black blouse with a red tartan maxi skirt
SaveCredit: Merrick’s Art
A long red tartan skirt feels so traditional for the holidays. With a simple black blouse and black boots, the skirt does all the work.
This outfit is warm, modest and pretty, so it works for church, a holiday concert or a family dinner.
18. Burgundy midi dress for Christmas Eve
SaveCredit: Doused in Pink
A long sleeve burgundy midi dress is one of the most useful things you can own for the holidays. It feels right at a candlelight service and at the dinner after.
Black lace up boots and a small beaded bag keep it from looking too formal. Add a cardigan if your church runs cold.
19. Green velvet midi dress
SaveCredit: Merrick’s Art
Velvet is the fabric of the season, and a dark green velvet dress is hard to beat. The tiered skirt and puff sleeves make it feel special.
Black Mary Jane flats keep it comfortable for a long evening. It would also look lovely in family photos by the tree.
20. Green lace dress with gold heels
SaveCredit: Pumps and Push Ups
A green lace midi dress with a matching belt is pretty for Christmas church, brunch or a holiday wedding. The color is festive without being loud.
Gold heels add a little shine. If you are going somewhere casual, try it with brown boots instead.
21. White blazer and green velvet pants
SaveCredit: Pumps and Push Ups
For a work Christmas party, a white blazer over green velvet pants is polished and still festive. It looks dressed up without a dress.
Keep the top simple so the velvet stands out. Nude heels or loafers finish it off.
22. Red velvet blazer with black trousers
SaveCredit: Doused in Pink
A red velvet blazer is a smart buy because it goes with almost everything you already own. Here it is over a black top with black flared trousers and black boots.
A sparkly clutch makes it party ready. Wear the same blazer with jeans for a casual Christmas Day.
23. Sequin jacket with white trousers
SaveCredit: Pumps and Push Ups
A black sequin jacket with white trim over wide white trousers is a fresh look for a holiday party. Black and white feels elegant and very Christmas at night.
A structured black bag and gold heels pull it together. This is a good one for a dinner party or a New Year’s Eve night out too.
24. A simple red dress
SaveCredit: Merrick’s Art
Every woman needs one red dress for December. This sleeveless red midi with a soft draped neckline is simple and so pretty.
Burgundy Mary Jane heels keep it a little playful. Throw a long camel coat over it for the drive to the party.
How to pick Christmas outfits for family photos
Pick a color story first, then dress everyone in it. A neutral base like cream, tan or gray with one holiday color such as deep green or burgundy photographs better than everyone in bright red. Kelly Tareski Photography suggests keeping the whole family to about three colors.
Coordinate instead of matching. Put mom in the green velvet dress, dad in a cream sweater and the kids in plaid, and spread the colors around the group. Shutterfly warns against busy patterns and everyone in all black.
Texture shows up beautifully in pictures. Knits, velvet, flannel and lace add depth even when the colors are simple.
What to wear to a work Christmas party
Ask about the place before you plan. A party in the office calls for something like the white blazer with velvet pants or the red velvet blazer, while a restaurant dinner is a good time for the green velvet dress or the sequin jacket.
Keep one festive piece and make the rest simple. A sparkly skirt with a plain sweater or a red blazer with black trousers looks fun without feeling like a costume.
Plan for comfort. You will be standing, talking and eating, so pick shoes you can wear for three hours and bring a warm coat for the parking lot.
Christmas outfit ideas FAQ
What should I wear for a casual Christmas? A holiday sweater with jeans is always right. Try a Fair Isle sweater with dark flare jeans, a green sweater with light wash jeans or a Christmas tee under a red cardigan.
What colors are best for Christmas outfits? Red and green are classic, but burgundy, deep green, cream, plaid and a little gold or silver sparkle all feel festive. Cream and green or burgundy and black look a little softer than bright red.
What do I wear to church on Christmas Eve? A burgundy midi dress, a green velvet dress or a long tartan skirt with a simple blouse are all warm, modest and pretty. Bring a cardigan or a wool coat for the drive.
How do I make a Christmas outfit warm enough? Start with knit sweaters, tights and boots, then add a wool coat and a plaid scarf. Velvet and flannel are warmer than satin, so save the satin skirts for nights spent indoors.
