Last Minute Holiday Fashion Ideas

You offered to be a Plus One for a friend's company holiday gala. You found out there's a dress code for Christmas dinner. The dress you planned to wear doesn't look as good as last year or requires too many complicated underpinnings and heeled shoes to be comfortable. You decided, what the heck, let's go out for New Year's Eve. Whatever the case, there's a good chance you need a holiday look STAT. Here are some last minute holiday fashion ideas for you and you don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe.

Last Minute Holiday Fashion Ideas for Grown Women

This advice assumes you own a solid black sweater in good condition, a pair of non-jean pants in black, ivory, or a bold solid color, and a pair of black non-athletic shoes you can polish up to look nice. These are good items to always have in your closet and care for, so they always look nice.

This advice is also in hopes that these wardrobe additions are one and done. Buy this year, care for well, and wear next year too. Either make it your signature look, or switch up the styling a bit. I do not recommend buying junk just to “make it work” this year and then have that “make it work” item head to a thrift store or landfill soon after (or stay too long in your closet out of guilt and buyer's remorse).

I can do a mall run before my event… what should I buy?

I went to a nearby mall this past weekend and visited Macy's, Target, Talbots, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Torrid, and Zara.

I know Zara may be a first stop to find sparkly and festive for less, but I found that A) The quality was too poor for us grown-ass women, B) The fit and sizing suck, and C) Prices were lower at nicer retailers with nicer quality, thanks to holiday sales. Even if you think a retailer is too expensive for your budget, right now, with 40-50% off at a lot of shops, including clearance, you can find sparkle and style for a song. Don't buy just for this weekend, buy for future festive occasions as well.

Macy's

Macy's is a good place to find a last-minute look, but the selection can be cluttered and overwhelming. I went there this weekend, and these pieces caught my attention. They looked like quality in real life. While Macy's is the department store with the most locations in the U.S., I also note when an item is available at Belk or Dillard's, as I know those are more common stores in parts of this country.

misses and petites blazer | misses and petites pants | plus blazer

I can't think of a better time of year to rock a sequin pantsuit. A sequin pantsuit may be over the top, but it can be separates, and it's a way to look super glam while staying warm and wear comfortable shoes. Macy's has several sequin pantsuits and separates but by far the best looking option was this blazer and these pants from I.N.C., a Macy's in-store brand.

No weirdness, sequins look quality, black and gray both look luxe, pants are a pull-on style with a flat front so you can tuck in, functional pockets, and lines that aren't too trendy so you can continue to rock these pieces for years.

• Wear with a turtleneck to be super cozy. Cashmere, merino, tissue weight, tucked or untucked, just have it a slim fit. I'd do black with black and heather gray or a pop of color like red or hot pink with the gray.
• A Chico's Microfiber Tank is a great go-to under statement suits. The name may make you think of rubbery, quick-dry fabric, but it's actually a refined, tightly woven knit with an elevated sheen. Depending on your situation, you can go from a fitted ribbed tank or crew tee to a silky camisole or button-down blouse. A holiday-themed graphic tee is also a fun option for the right situation.
• For shoes, a black bootie in polished leather, patent, velvet, or suede is a safe and warm bet. You can also do a pointed-toe flat, a mule, or a dressy loafer in velvet or suede or a fabric, or even a sneaker!
• The bag should either be a big statement or pretty basic. A foldover clutch or a small purse on a chain strap are good options.
• Each piece is great as a singular statement.
  • Do the blazer over one of the tops mentioned above and go casual with jeans (I'd do a dark wash or vintage looking) or dress up with pants. Consider a column of color with your top and pants same shade (safe bet is doing both black).
  • The pants will be cute with a sweater and some sparkly jewelry and come warmer weather style with a white shirt, silk blouse, or a silky camisole.
• Heads up, there are no other sequined items online or in store that match these sequins. Get the set or a separate, don't try to match with other sequins.

misses sequin tee | plus sequin tee | sleeveless embellished sweater | knotted sequin top | pink sweater with embellishment | sequin poncho | sequin pull-on pants

These are other sequin separates I saw in person at Macy's and think would be great buys.

• I shared this sequin tee from Macy's in-house brand on Instagram Stories and Threads; it looks way more expensive than its price (less than $40). Here is the link to it in plus. I personally think the black looks more expensive than the gray.
  • Pair untucked with jeans for a casual affair.
  • Untucked or tucked with black ankle pants (dressy or suiting fabric) or tucked into wider full-length trousers in black, ivory, cream, or red and black shoes. If the situation is right, this could be super cute left untucked with faux leather jeans.
  • Keep jewelry minimal; some sparkly studs can be enough or consider black crystal earrings for fun without glitter overkill.
• This shell is a tightly-woven heavyweight knit with a sheen. The embellishment is far more sparkly and expensive looking in person. This would be a great thing to add to a black pantsuit to look more festive but still professional and is chic on its own with a pair of trousers or even a dressy black skirt. It's also available at Nordstrom.
• This sequined top has a knotted effect at the hem that cinches the body a bit and adds interest. I can't find the matching skirt online and didn't see it in stores; pair with black or ivory trousers (the top should cover the waistband), or choose dressy pants in a bold color. The top is also at Dillard's.
• If you want a non-holiday color, this pink silky mockneck sweater is really cool in person. It's also available at Belk. Pair with cream or ivory trousers or denim trousers.
• Hear me out. If you are a grown-ass woman, you've likely been to a Bar Mitzvah or wedding or Sweet 16 as a kid where your boisterous aunt or grandma wore a sparkly poncho and matching palazzo pants and maybe a pair of velcro comfort shoes. But my friends, that was decades ago. In 2024/2025, this poncho and these pants together (the key is together) is like Eileen Fisher at Vegas. They're delicate and drapey and I think would make a chic look.
  • Think how would Tracee Ellis Ross style it? How would Gwyneth Paltrow? Throw it on like dressy pajamas, style with some velvet smoking slippers or mules, and do a smoky eye and low-fuss hair looking like you woke up like this all casually glam.
  • I only saw it in black; the separates come in other colors but since I didn't see for myself I don't know if the same vibe will translate in color.

link to blue in Plus | link to printed in Misses | link to blue in Misses

This dress from DKNY is a sleeper hit. I saw the printed one on a rack and thought it was way too chaotic. But then looking closely, I saw how nice this dress is. It has a great weight that looks and feels expensive and can also dress up and down for three seasons of the year. Here's the dress in blue sizes 2-16 at Dillard's and here it is in the print sizes 2-16 at Dillard's.

• First things first, remove the belt. Take cuticle or embroidery scissors and carefully snip off the threads holding the belt in place. Now, the dress is 10X more stylish (and more comfortable).
• Next pull a bit on the pleats and let them open. It creates a bit of a 60s vibe, with the statement sleeves and swingy above-the-knee style.
• For winter, pair with black tights and sleek boots or booties, black stockings and Mary Jane flats, or your favorite skintone, metallic, or black dress shoe (with or without hose). Jewelry can be sparkly but nothing dangly and no necklace. Carry a clutch purse, black satin or leather without a lot of frills is a good choice. With the solid-colored version, you can have more fun with color but don't add more than one other statement shade.

dress at Macy's sizes 6-18 | dress at Dillard's in Misses, and link to plus at Dillard's | link to misses and plus at Amazon (eligible for Prime Try Before You Buy)

If you're going more formal, this dress from R&M Richards stopped me in my tracks. You could totally wear this all year long as a formal/evening dress and also rock it at a Gatsby- or Roaring Twenties-themed event. The skirt with the godets/panels gives it a swishy feel without adding bulk. The sequins look nice and are sewn on this expensive-looking delicate mesh. Some style tips:

• Again, remove that silly self-belt. It is not doing the dress any favors and it will look more expensive. There is a built-in elastic waist which will give enough definition and blouse out the top if it's a bit long.
• This dress runs long; it's not for petites and likely will be covering most of your shoe unless you're 5'7″ and above. As a plus, this dress can look good floor length or midi/tea length so it may be a good option for tall folk.
• Keep the vibe and keep your toes warm with a t-strap or Mary Jane style shoe in black. However, if this dress runs long you can wear most any subtle black dress shoe (velvet, suede, leather, satin, crepe). I'd stick to a clutch purse, and while sparkly could be fun, due to the delicate fabric of the dress, I'd stick to satin, velvet, or soft leather (suede may rub off on the dress) without a lot of embellishment or hardware.
• No necklace, and I don't recommend bracelets that may snag on the fabric. Keep the sparkle to the earrings with gold and crystal, from a stud to a delicate chandelier.
• The dress also comes in navy/gold; I haven't seen it in person and don't know if it gives the same impact nor can I feel good offering style suggestions. The navy/gold combo is also sold at Belk (misses and plus)

Popular Apparel Retailers Found in Many Malls

Ann Taylor, LOFT, Torrid, White House Black Market, Target, and Talbots; these stores were at my mall or in my neighborhood, and all had options for grown women to look festive, even last minute.

Clockwise from top left: striped blouse (in person looks very elevated and dressy) | graphic tee (cute under suit or with sequined skirt/pants) | satin blouse (size up) | sequin tank (sequins both sides) | satin shell (alone or under suit) | striped bow blouse (may want a cami) | embellished sweatshirt (I own & love) | embellished sleeveless top (sooo cool IRL; cute with pants or under suit) | sequined lady jacket (this is sooo good IRL)

Often we think dressy means dress, but these days, pants are very acceptable at formal occasions. And pairing suiting trousers or dressier ankle pants with a formal and festive top can elevate your existing closet to cocktail occasion.

• This tank is the best one I've seen as the sequins are elevated and it's sequined both sides.
• This top is so unique it will be a favorite for years and would look great with ivory as well as black.
• We do a low-key family NYE with friends and I liked the idea of this sweatshirt for some sparkle and fun with comfort. Would also be fun for the 4th of July.
• My friend got this blouse, and it's worth seeing in person. Really pretty and can look good tucked in or untucked.
• This jacket is a showstopper. Wear closed, as a cardigan with a dress, or as a jacket over a shell, tank, or tee. This is a classic that will look great for years to come.

Shop the collage: sparkly pants (tall friendly) | sequin skirt (petites need petites; no slit, so it's tall friendly) | velveteen pants (3 colors, I own & love) | black dress (runs short, better for petites) | silver dress (not for petites) | gray dress (petite friendly)

I didn't see any more of the velveteen blazer to match the pants; it came in the blue option and you can see me wear it in my holiday capsule wardrobe. The sparkly pants are kinda fast fashion… don't put them in the machine even if they say wash on gentle. If you hand wash they're a fun statement piece you can pull out a couple of times a year. The silver dress is better IRL; super luxe and elegant like wearing liquid silver.

My Event is TOMORROW! How do I look festive and dressy?

Oh, the power of some sparkle. A simple black dress, red or black sweater and black or cream pants, a white blouse and black or red trousers, a black work pantsuit… all you need to do is add some bling to dress it up and look holiday.

I bought a sparkly snowflake brooch almost a decade ago and it's a holiday go-to that has saved me many times. Pin it to a sweater over your heart, add glossy or red lips and a sparkly smaller earring and you're looking festive and elegant. Pin to the lapel of your black work pantsuit and switch out your blouse for a silky or sparkly shell and it's suddenly cocktail attire. Button up a white shirt and instead of a tie, pin the snowflake brooch. with velvet or sparkly pants, it's a chic holiday vibe.

Clockwise from top left: gold ornament earrings | blue snowflake brooch | gold and colorful lights earrings | snowflake dangle earrings | bells and holly brooch | silver snowflake brooch | bow dangle earrings | gold and ornament necklace

Snowflake statement earrings, Christmas-themed jewelry with sparkle and humor, a snowflake brooch… sparkly statement jewelry that's a bit oversized is a quick buy and something you can pull out each holiday season for now on. And corny is fine for holidays; it's a good conversation starter and looks best with very simple solid-colored clothing.

Style Tip: Store costume jewelry in a sealed Ziploc baggie to prevent tarnishing and dulling of crystals. For added measure, take one of those silica gel packets that come with online purchases (especially with handbags and shoes) and add it to the bag. They can be reused and they absorb moisture which is what destroys costume jewelry.