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So, since this is my first real holiday season of blogging, I figured I’d jump on the bandwagon of holiday guides. I thought I’d try to stick to topics I truly struggle with myself, in hopes that I’ll be able to make someone’s busy holiday season just a little easier.
My first guide is going to be party dresses! It’s one of the hardest things to shop for in my humble opinion. I always have an idea in mind of what I want, yet half the time when I go dress shopping in stores, I can’t find a thing. If I can make any recommendation to you, it’s to order several holiday dresses and order them now, so you don’t have to deal with the mall. Seriously, it’s the worst.
Holiday Party Outfits Under $100
Every year I have at least two holiday parties to attend. My own work’s annual holiday party, and Dave’s holiday party. Last year, his was in January, and it was impossible to find a dress, so I just wore something I already had. It was kind of a bummer since I enjoy getting a new holiday dress, but I suppose it’s better on the budget. Below, I’ve outlined a couple of dress types, and a couple of “alternative” dress ideas.
Cocktail Dresses
Gap: Colorblock Fit & Flare, $80 (Use code HAPPY for 30% off)
Piperlime: Pim & Larkin Brocade Fit N Flare $55 (Use code EXTRAEXTRA for 30% off)
LOFT: Leopard Jacquard Flare $98 (Use code SHAREIT for 40% off)
The Limited: Lace Inset $128 (Use code SAVE50 for 50% off)
Modcloth: Sparkle and Sheen $75 / Night and Sway $50 (Use code 15RMN for 15% off)
Nordstrom: JOA Fringe $88 / BB Dakota Rhianna $98 / Maia Lace Sheath $98
Evening Dresses
Ruche: Under the Night Sky Maxi $68.99 (Use code RFP25 for 25% off)
Lulu’s: Royal Engagement Strapless $68 / Maximum Shine Black and Gold Sequin Maxi $88 (Use code Freeship10 for $10 off and free shipping)
JCPenney: R&M Richards Lace Bodice $64 (Use code MREBTS15 for 15% off)
Modcloth: Receiving Line $90 (Use code 15RMN for 15% off)
Macy*s: Sangria Embroidered Foil Print $99 (Use code GIFT for 20% off)
Kohl’s: Chaya Colorblock $75 / Chaps Mixed-Media $98 (Use code PIES30 for 30% off for Kohl’s Cardholders, or THANKS746 for 15%)
Forever 21: Metallic Knit Maxi $30 / Beaded Chiffon Maxi $50 (Use code 10GURAJ for 10% off)
The “Alternatives”
Rent the Runway
Instead of buying a dress, what about renting one? Tracy Reese Trumpet $30 / Tibi Metallic Jacquard $30 / Philosophy Sheer Delight $30 (Use code FIRSTRTR25X754 for $25 off your first rental of $75+)
Jumpsuits
Not a dress fan? Jumpsuits are still a popular option! Lacy Jumpsuit, LOFT $98 (Use code SHAREIT for 40% off) / Rules of Etiquette Surplice Jumpsuit $46
Golden Tote
Add a couple of cute party dresses to your Golden Tote, and get some extra pieces for less than the price of one dress! In the Spotlight Shift / Dinner Date / Perfectly Plaid Starting at $49
Le Tote
For an entire month you can “rent” their pieces, and some of their options happen to be fabulous dresses that could run double duty as holiday dresses. Elect to keep them for 20% off retail! BB Dakota Cyrus / BCBGeneration Layered / Collective Concepts Charlotte $49/month (Get your first month free with my referral link!)
…And now that you have a bunch of dresses to choose from, how about a giveaway for $100 Paypal cash to pick your own? Or you know, just use it however you’d like!
What are you planning on wearing for the holidays?
I love this guide. Esp the part about renting! And all of the fabulous coupon codes you provided ;) a ton of these would work for nye also!! I might even wear a cute fit and flare dress for Thanksgiving! Then I can eat everything and not worry Hahaha
Glad you liked it! Yes, many would work for both! I think there’s a lot of overlap between all of the holidays, since people seem to like the sparkles starting in November! ;)
It’s so nice the rentals and mega boxes are available now. We’re very simple down here and I haven’t had to dress up for a work dinner in years! I love those gowns, makes me think about finding a reason to dress up. Maybe NYE!
NYE is a great reason to dress up! I never have actually, but have always wanted a reason for a pretty sparkly dress!
Forgot to say my Thanksgiving tradition is going to my mom’s best friends house and we don’t have to clean up! The best!
Love that! Haha, cleaning up after a big dinner is the worst!
these are such great recs! This is definitely something I struggle with!
Thanks Helene! It’s always hard to find the perfect holiday dress!
Those are all so beautiful! When I lived in DC, I would go to 4 or 5 dressy parties around Christmas and New Years. I miss having places to wear fun party dresses!
Not even joking, one of my favorite things about working a “big girl job” (as opposed to retail and whatnot) is having a holiday party every year!
All of those options are so beautiful! On Thanksgiving we end up going to multiple family members houses and eat probably 4 big meals in one day. It’s intense!! lol
Oh that sounds intense! We split it up – we do Thanksgiving with one side on Thursday, and then again on Sunday! :)
I love this guide! One of my coworkers showed me that dress from The Limited yesterday because she ordered it for our work Christmas party! How crazy is that? Haha.
Oh my gosh, that is crazy! Apparently great minds think alike? Haha :)
We do Thanksgiving dinner instead of lunch since my dad is a caterer. His whole morning is spent getting other people’s meals ready so this give us all time to relax and enjoy the cooking process. It’s a great tradition.
Oh that sounds like a great tradition! Good luck, Catherine!
YES, holiday party dresses are SO hard to shop for! Thanks for the recommendations!
You’re very welcome Julia, hope it will make dress shopping a little easier! :)
Instead of pumpkin Pie we have a pumpkin crisp. It is sort of like a bar .
That sounds tasty! Thanks for entering, Maureen!
oh this is so handy. I have always been hesitant about RTR because I wear what seems to be about four billion different sizes. I love love that red gown, I can’t believe it’s under $100!
Haha, I know what you mean. I have the same problem. They do send 2 sizes though, which would probably help, and I always read the reviews to see what people recommend size-wise!
The red gown seems like a steal – it was even more expensive at Macy’s!
my aunt makes the most amazing stuffing…but my brother only eats stovetop, so my mom makes him his own from the box. too funny.
b
Haha, that’s hilarious! Homemade is better imo, but there is something addictive about Stovetop too! ;)
ah what a helpful post!! I was so nervous about what to wear to my first holiday party at my new job, but now I have so much to choose from!
summerandatlantic.blogspot.com
So glad! My first office holiday party I spent an entire Saturday at the mall trying to find a dress. I ended up with one from Forever 21 of all places!
Wow this is a really extensive dress list. Hope I win the giveaway :) At least I found a few new blogs to follow along the way!
http://itsjpei.wordpress.com/
Thanks Jessica! Hopefully it’s helpful! Good luck on the giveaway!
Love it! I need to shop for a holiday party dress and I’m awful at it. Now I’m tempted to just fb message you from the dressing room. Would you judge me if I did that??
Not at all. I’ll give you my phone number if you want it, you can text me photos! ;)
Sure thing!
Our new-ish Thanksgiving tradition is my brother-in-law’s ciabatta bread stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta – it’s to die for!
Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing! Good luck, Alysia!
Wow, I love that evening dress from Lulu’s!! So cute & I haven’t shopped there yet. There goes next paycheck ;)
P.S. Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway!! Fingers crossed!
xo, K
http://www.BKCsquared.com
Lulu’s has a lot of great holiday dresses this year! I saw a few other cute cocktail dresses but didn’t want to make the post even longer ;) Good luck!
When we were kids, no ones home was big enough for a family get together – so we would all to go to eat at cracker barrel!
That sounds like fun! I’ve never ate at Cracker Barrel, I’m not even sure we have them on the west coast!
I’m not American so no Thanksgiving for me! Except via TV, of course. I always think of the first couple of seasons of Grey’s when I think of Thanksgiving.
Ah yes, I miss the early seasons of Grey’s! I’m going to have to rewatch that show soon :)
One of our Thanksgiving traditions is to watch White Christmas after our Thanksgiving dinner.
That’s a great one – love that movie! Good luck, Kimberly!
My mom makes a yummy pumpkin dip every year.
That sounds tasty! Good luck, Colleen!
WE ALWAYS RENT A CABIN IN THE MOUNTAINS FOR A WEEK AND MEET THERE AT THANKSGIVING!! SO MUCH FUN
Oh that sounds like tons of fun! Good luck, Crissie!
I love making my Aunt’s Famous Dressing Recipe! It’s delicious!
Good luck, Katie! :)