Few things get me as excited as holiday dressing. There’s something so wonderfully freeing about getting ready for an event where color and shine is not only not frowned upon, but cheerfully celebrated.
I love seeing rich hues and sparkles galore as I shop, but over time, the selection can start to feel a little… expected. There’s nothing wrong with classics, of course—but if you're looking for a holiday party dress that will have all eyes on you, try one of these style tricks. I guarantee you'll be the belle of the ball (drop).
Unexpected Color and Texture
When you think about holiday dressing, there are probably a few colors that immediately spring to mind: festive reds and greens, shiny metallic silvers and golds. Purple probably isn’t on that list at all, which makes it a great way to make sure your holiday dress stands out in a crowd.
I wore this dress from Eloquii to a holiday pop-up launch party and had so many great conversations that started with questions about it. (As someone whose favorite color has been purple since childhood, the beauty of the shade is always a welcome topic for me.) It’s not just the color that sets it apart: The lush crushed velvet of this twist-bodice maxi adds another unexpected touch.
Combined with the built-in shoulder pads, these elements feel like a nod to the '80s without being overly literal. It brings to mind the return to whimsical maximalism we saw on the Spring 2026 runways, particularly at Valentino. I’m personally very here for it, especially after what feels like years of inescapable “quiet luxury” and muted shades.
I got this dress in my usual Eloquii size (18/20), and I found it fit just right: true to size, without squeezing or feeling at all uncomfortable, and really highlighted my curves nicely. For a party on a bitterly cold night, I wore it with red knee-high boots, my new go-to faux fur coat, a red lip, and Samantha Pleet’s signature rosebud bag.
Sequin Upgrade
Let me make something clear: I love sequins. LOVE them. I’ll never turn them down. But when it comes to holiday party dresses, sometimes the selection can feel like a sea of the same sequins. You’ll probably still look amazing, but if you want to make sure you aren’t showing up in a too-similar sequin dress as someone else at the shindig, I recommend what I think of as their fashion-forward cousin: paillettes.
If you aren’t familiar, paillettes are typically made of the same sturdy metallic materials as sequins, but they differ when it comes to size and how they're attached. Where sequins tend to be smaller and firmly sewn onto the fabric base in the center, paillettes are often larger and hang from the the top, meant to dangle and enhance movement. The way they move and shimmer in the light is a dream.
I’ve been a fan of them for a while, so I’ve been happy to see more paillette options on the market this holiday season. This dress from Hutch, available in sizes XXS to 3X, is a perfect example: The gorgeous deep red hue is stunning in and of itself, as is the body-skimming silhouette that works on curves even better than I would have expected. What takes it to the next level, in my opinion, is the unique shape of the paillettes—the elongated teardrop is so pretty, and something about it made me want to shimmy at the slightest provocation (and I absolutely did!)
I wore it to a fragrance dinner at the iconic Baccarat hotel, and this dress felt like it was made for the opulent setting. Surrounded by sparkling crystal and ornate chandeliers, it would be easy to feel underdressed, but this dress absolutely lived up to the occasion. Over the course of the night, I got more compliments than I could count—both at the dinner and on the train on the way. (Because yes, fashion people do take the subway, contrary to all the discourse after the Chanel Métiers d'art show last week.)
For sizing, I recommend going up one size if you have a fuller bust. I tried on my usual size (2X) at a showroom preview, and while it fit everywhere else well, it was too snug to be comfortable around the fullest part of my chest. I was a little worried that going up to a 3X would make the rest of the dress too big, but I was happy to see that the cut actually draped beautifully. It also was surprisingly comfortable on, as it's fully lined; the rounded bottoms of the paillettes didn’t scratch the inside of my upper arms the way smaller sequins are prone to.
Literal Crystals
If you're truly committed to sparkle, there’s another sequin alternative that's as gorgeous and as it is luxurious: crystal mesh. I’m talking about hundreds of individual crystals, all hand-fastened to netted mesh material. The effect is just as stunning as you’d think.
This is a style I love so much, I actually chose it as part of my holiday capsule collection with Baacal, the plus-size label from Cynthia Vincent. I’ve been a fan of the designer's work for decades now, so getting to partner with her to curate this collection is a personal dream come true. It certainly doesn’t hurt that her pieces are beautifully made to be forever-fixtures in your wardrobe.
I already owned an earlier version of this crystal mesh gown, and it's surprisingly versatile. I’ve worn it from the most formal occasions (including to receive the Full Figured Industry Award for Advocacy) to New York Fashion Week to a night out (with tap pants, chunky boots, and an oversized leather jacket). So when I saw that Vincent was rereleasing it in three new colorways—including this lush deep blue—I knew I could co-sign it with my full chest.
The style is created for maximum impact and real rewearability. (The crystals are firmly attached, and stay that way even with repeated wear!) It also just looks phenomenal on curves. I got this one in my usual Baacal size 3 (the equivalent of an 18/20 in standard sizing), and it fits like it was made for me. I’ve also seen it on friends of different sizes and body types, and it looked gorgeous on all of them. I styled mine with this shimmery rich brown trench coat (also from my Curvily x Baacal edit) and minimal heels, and I’m already planning my New Year's Eve rewear (with skimpy layers underneath for night of dancing, made possible by the fact that the fabric isn't scratchy and won’t irritate my skin).
