What to Wear to a Holiday Party

Two Words: Dress. Code.

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Ever show-up to what you thought was a costume party only for NO ONE else to be dressed up? You can imagine the embarrassment. While that (likely) won’t happen during the holidays it does reinforce one important point: dress codes matter. The vibe at your casual office party is going to be way different than, say, a holiday party with your BFFs. You wouldn’t want to wear a sparkly shoe to an event that calls for a more down-to-earth, comfortable heel, right? Right.

That being said, if you have a pair of new, shiny shoes you’re looking for any excuse to break out, go for it! Just remember that it’s all about balance. If you’re trying to tone down what could otherwise be considered a statement shoe consider keeping the rest of your outfit on the more conservative side – your shoes can still do all the talking, but they won’t be screaming. And the inverse is true too – want to wait a neutral, comfortable heel to your fun friends get together? Pair it with some patterns or bright colors. Just make sure your overall outfit matches the vibe of the event. 

Need some office party outfit ideas? Try rocking an oversized, patterned sweater with an ankle length pleated skirt and a pair of neutral boots, like these.

Make a Statement

Being subtle is nice and all, but sometimes you just want to walk in a room and turn heads. Enter: The statement makers. Whether it’s a metallic, shiny shoe, a bling shoe covered in rhinestones, a ballet flat with a big buckle, or even a chunky sole boot with a big block heel, the goal remains the same: getting peoples’ attention.

Typically, when wearing a pair of statement making shoes, you’ll want them to be the focal point of your outfit. Your favorite pair of pink leopard print pants? Leave them at all. Neutral colors are your best friends here, think blues, blacks, white, browns, creams, dark green, and things along that line. But what if you want to wear a metallic dress and still rock a pair of shiny shoes or bling shoes? Good news: You can do that, just make sure your shoes are a different color than the dress. The main takeaway here is contrast – in the overall scheme of your outfit you want your shoes to be the thing that stands out the most. The bigger the contract, the more noticeable they are

Need style inspo? Try pairing these Betsey Johnson sparkly shoes with a pair of dark trousers and a tailored neutral sweater to give them some pop.

Comfort is Key 

Odds are at least one of your parties is going to be on the more formal side, and that means heels. We know, we know – you’re dreading the thought of struggling to walk and having blisters for a week after. We get it. But what if we told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Instead of going back to that pair in your closet you’ve had forever opt for a more comfortable heel style. A pair of platform heels gives you the same lift with less weight being put on the balls of your feet or go for a thick block heel that gives you better balance and helps to even out pressure across a wider surface area. They’re a win-win, you get the upscale style you need minus the discomfort.

Cold Feet? Opt for Extra Height 

Depending on where you live the holidays might not only be the busiest time of the year, but also the coldest. And when you’re making your rounds at the holiday parties chances are you’re spending a decent amount of time walking, and what doesn’t mix well? Walking and the cold. But before you resign yourself to a night of shivering, give a pair of over the-knee boots a try. They pair really well with most holiday outfits (with the added bonus of making you feel like a certified baddie), and the extra height gives you added protection from the elements. And if you’re trying to turn some heads, give this pair of shiny shoes a try. 

If your outfit stops you from wearing over-the-knee boots (looking at you, dress trousers), give a fully enclosed high ankle boot a try instead. You’ll still be able to get the look you’re going for, but with significantly more protection that a pair of strappy sandals. If need a recommendation give this pair a try. They’re neutral enough to go with most outfits, and feature a blocky, comfortable heel.

Embellish, Embellish, Embellish 

Depending on where you live the holidays might not only be the busiest time of the year, but also the coldest. And when One thing we can’t recommend enough: embellish whenever you can. Those bows, buckles, and stitching you find on mules and loafers are little additions that can go a long way when it comes to your holiday style. Wearing a simple sweater and dress pants? A big buckle loafer helps breathe a little life into an otherwise simple outfit. The best part though? It’s their versatility. Family holidays, office parties, happy hours, they can do it all. 

When it comes to styling, we like to treat them like they’re mini statement-makers. They add an element of fun to any outfit, but don’t command quite as much attention. For that reason, we prefer to wear them with a dress pants of longer dress, but you can absolutely make them work with something shorter.

Have a Fa-Fa-Fantastic Time

Our last bit of advice? Have fun with it. The holidays only come once a year, so there’s no wrong way to style yourself. Want to wear your favorite sparkly shoes with an ugly sweater? Go for it! Want to wear your new, favorite comfortable heels to every event you can? We won’t stop you. Just remember that DSW is here for all your holiday footwear needs. Whether you’re trying to find the perfect shoe to complete that office party outfit idea you saw on the gram, are going all in on glam in and need a pair of bling shoes, or just looking for a pair of statement shoes or shiny shoes to take your