How to Dress For Holiday Parties
38 Holiday Party Style Tips to Steal From Kate Middleton and the Rest of the Royals
Image Source: Getty / Max Mumby/Indigo
It seems like every year, right around the start of Winter, we begin to source the royals for all our style inspiration. There's something about their glittering, glamorous dresses and the way they coordinate color that feels festive, just in time for the holidays. Why just admire Kate Middleton, Crown Princess Victoria, Queen Letizia, and the rest of this the regal bunch from afar when we can try their looks out for ourselves when we attend holiday parties?
These ladies know how to work a red carpet, playing up their eye-catching dresses with jewels that add just the right amount of glow. They choose bold silhouettes that are ladylike, but often subtly sexy — a look we aim for whenever we go out.
Read on for 38 fashionable ensembles our favorite royals have worn, all of which are totally appropriate for the soirées you've got marked on the calendar. Here's fair warning: you're going to be the center of attention.
1 When It Comes to the Holiday Season, There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Sparkle
Image Source: Getty / Dominique Charriau
2 Find a Material That’ll Catch the Light in Photographs, Helping You Glow
Image Source: Getty
3 Dresses That Come Complete With Matching Boleros Are Too Elegant to Feel Outdated
Image Source: Getty / Max Mumby/Indigo
4 Diamonds and a Red Dress Are a Winning Combination
Image Source: Getty / Pascal Le Segretain
5 'Tis the Season to Perfectly Match Your Heels to Your Dress
Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein
6 Don’t Let the Weather Put a Damper on Your Evening — Wear the Dress You Love So Much Anyway
Image Source: Getty / Jon Furniss
7 Hold Onto Your Designer Dresses — They’ll Be That Much Cooler Once They’re Vintage
Image Source: Getty / Michel Dufour
8 . . . And Your Longer Gowns
Image Source: Getty / Nick Harvey
9 Embroidery Is Just as Playful and Unique as Sequins
Image Source: Getty / Marc Piasecki
10 If It’s Cold, Top Your Sequined Dress With a Furry Coat
Image Source: Getty / ODD ANDERSEN
11 You’ll Always Feel Like a Pretty, Pretty Princess in Sugary Pink
Image Source: Getty / Torsten Laursen
12 Forget the LBD — You’ll Be the Center of Attention in a Little White Dress and Black Tights
Image Source: Getty / Fotonoticias
13 A Subtle Leg Slit Still Feels Modest on a Long-Sleeved Maxi Design
Image Source: Getty / Max Mumby/Indigo
14 But If You Feel Like Taking a Risk, Show Off Those Toned Legs With Confidence
Image Source: Getty
15 When Choosing Between Silver and Gold Statement Jewelry, Go For the Latter to Play Up Your Glow
Image Source: Getty / Pascal Le Segretain
16 Channeling a Disney Princess Is Never a Bad Idea
Image Source: Getty / Luca Teuchmann
17 Sometimes a Statement Strap Stands Out More Than Jewelry
Image Source: Getty / Fotonoticias
18 Gloves, Gloves, Why Not Gloves? In Black OR White
Image Source: Getty / Franziska Krug
19 A Metallic Green Will Attract All Eyes
Image Source: Getty / Sean Gallup
20 Never Underestimate a Three-Piece Set For an Evening Out — You'll Get Ready Superquickly
Image Source: Getty / Michel Porro
21 Don’t Skimp on the Glitz and the Glamour — Go All Out With a Gatsby-Inspired ‘Do
Image Source: Getty / Alexander Tamargo
22 Holding Onto a Box Clutch Looks Way More Elegant Than a Slouchy Bag
Image Source: Getty / Pascal Le Segretain
23 Mute a Bright Color Like Coral With Light Pink Accessories
Image Source: Getty / Andreas Rentz
24 Don’t Be Afraid of a Trendy Bell Sleeve
Image Source: Getty / Michel Porro
25 A Little Lace Can Go a Long Way
Image Source: Getty / Pool
26 If You’re Rewearing One of Your Favorite Looks, Jazz It Up With a Little Bling
Image Source: Getty / WPA Pool
27 You’ll Be the Coolest Girl at the Party by Proving You Can Master Simple Styling Tricks — Like Mixing Navy and Black
Image Source: Getty / Joerg Koch
28 If You Love a LBD, Find One in a Standout Cut
Image Source: Getty / Fotonoticias
29 A Bold One-Shoulder Design Will Steal the Show
Image Source: Getty / Pascal Le Segretain
30 Contrast! If You're Surrounded in Red, Be the Belle of the Ball in Blue
Image Source: Getty / Pool
31 Never Underestimate How Much Sparkle Chandelier Earrings Can Bring
Image Source: Getty / Alex Wong
32 All White Looks Lovely With a Printed Clutch
Image Source: Getty / Andreas Rentz
33 Jumpsuits Can Be Fancy Too — Especially When Paired With an Arm Cuff
Image Source: Getty / Carlos R. Alvarez
34 Your Outfit Will Always Look Prettier With a Bow on Top
Image Source: Getty / Luca Teuchmann
35 Take a Note From Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Accessorize Your LBD With Pearls
Image Source: Getty / Carlos Alvarez
36 An Updo Helps to Show Off the Pretty Little Details of Your Dress
Image Source: Getty / Dave J Hogan
37 When in Doubt, Go For Color, Volume, and Maximum Surprise
Image Source: Getty / Samir Hussein