Bows! Sparkles! Shine! This year's holiday wardrobe starter pack is all about investment staples that bring you joy now but will withstand the trends for seasons to come. Many of collections for the upcoming season are all about mixing and matching playful daywear. This "opposites attract" approach, best exemplified in the way Prada and Burberry mixed sparkly dresses with sporty parka coats on the runway, means there's no need to think short-term when shopping for your party looks this holiday.
Below, I've shopped out nine key wardrobe builders for this holiday season, from precious day-to-night separates to playful accessories like hair bows and sculptural silver jewelry. (Silver is the new gold!) Read on for help getting ready for all the festivities on the horizon and beyond.
Collarless Jackets
Bring some color and wintry textures into your life this season with this ladylike, dinner-friendly look. These jackets anchor almost any outfit, adding some shine via statement buttons. Try one with your favorite staple dress or skirt.
Mango Tweed jacket with jewel buttons
Veronica Beard Lyssa Wool-Blend Button-Up Jacket
Hair Bows
These feminine finishers put a festive spin on any look, especially when you're not looking to over-accessorize. Add some flair with a clip that does all of the talking, ideally one that comes a shade of rich velvet or bedecked with crystals or pearls.
Prada Velvet Hair Bow
Emi Jay Emi Jay Bow Barrette in Black.
LALA BOW BARRETTE
Jennifer Behr Lynette Pearly Velvet Bow Barrette
Sparkly Skirts
Not sure if you've heard, but sequins are chill now. And the paillette is the most low-key of the sequin family, bestowing the perfect glow when it catches the light at any party. Not only does a paillette skirt make any outfit look festive (and sound festive, too, for some extra drama!), but it will look equally cool when worn to the office with a gray crew-neck sweater or oversized double-breasted navy blazer.
Rohe Rohe Embellished Organza Skirt
Lafayette 148 Hand-Placed Paillette Midi Pencil Skirt
Staud Casey paillette-embellished tulle midi skirt
Festive Flats
Made for the life of the party, these shoes are easy to dance in and look effortlessly cool, whether they're covered in studs or made of metallic woven leather. To make your styling extra fun, pick a pair that match the energy of your festive skirt.
Tory Burch Studded Ballet
Prada Satin Flats
Gucci Horsebit-embellished leather ballet flats
Loeffler Randall Women's Leonie Leather Ballet Flats - Gold - Size 5
Party Tops
The best bang-for-your-buck party top is one that could be worn in other scenarios, and these puffy long-sleeved blouses will do the trick. Chicest with simple trousers or leather pants, they'll look just as cool when worn off-(party)-duty with a pair of vintage-washed straight-leg jeans in the new year.
COS Parachute Blouse
BODE Sheer Fete appliquéd mesh blouse
Chloé Ruffled cotton-blend lace peplum blouse
Silver Jewelry
If you're looking to update your jewelry wardrobe, now's the time to invest in sculptural pieces in silver. The ones below add a subtly glamorous touch to any party look, and there's a good chance you'll find yourself wearing them to the office or work dinners for months to come.
Gaia Scallop Earrings Silver
LIÉ STUDIO The Marianne silver-plated bracelet
Courrèges Courrèges Flask-pendant necklace
Agmes Synergy Ring
The Modern Tuxedo
Of course, you can wear these tuxedos as a full look for the ultimate dramatic party moment. But what makes them so cool is that you can also mix in elements of each suit for any other look. Try a tuxedo jacket over a draped midi party dress. Pair your party top with tuxedo pants. Or wear your white shirt with a sparkling skirt. Each piece truly has a life of its own.
Halle Satin Collar Blazer - Black
Mango Suit pants with satin details
Toteme Satin tuxedo scarf black
Elevated Clutches
Easy to pack inside of your favorite work tote, these are the perfect grab-and-go bag, taking you from the office to a cocktail event. They're also stand-alone classics that you'll be able to carry to whatever events 2025 has in store.
Toteme T-Lock leather clutch
Banana Republic Riviera Leather Clutch
Lina Pochette
Loewe Flamenco Mini Clutch Bag in Napa Leather with Blind Embossed Anagram
Draped Column Dresses
For a paired-back holiday look, these draped column dresses are one-and-done. The ruching and bias cuts add dimension to an otherwise simple dress. Try one in a pop of color for a joyful addition to an otherwise subdued winter wardrobe, or buy one in black—the new LBD!
TOVE Aubree ruched silk-satin midi dress
Isabel Marant Nadela cotton jersey maxi dress
Rabanne Satin Midi-Dress
Christopher Esber Exclusive Fusion Ruched T-Shirt Gown
Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen is Harper's Bazaar's Senior Fashion & Accessories Editor. Outside of the office she can be found downtown with her twin sister, figure skating somewhere or on the hunt for the perfect striped top. Follow her on Instagram @jaclynalexandra