5 Holiday Party Outfits With Flats That Still Feel Dressed Up

A little velvet, a silk skirt, a pair of red patent shoes. Holiday party outfits with flats can feel just as considered as anything built around heels. The trick is giving the outfit a festive detail and paying attention to where the hem meets the shoe.

These five combinations cover an office celebration, a dressier party, a casual get-together, hosting and New Year’s Eve. Each starts with a different pair of flats, with pieces you can wear together or use as inspiration for your own wardrobe.

Velvet trousers and an ivory silk blouse make an easy office holiday party outfit. The fabrics do most of the dressing up, while a black pointed flat keeps the line of the trousers clean. The DKNY pleated velvet trousers have a wide leg and a little stretch. Pair them with Quince’s ivory stretch-silk blouse, tucked in to define the waist, and the Naturalizer Havana flat in black leather. Small gold twisted hoops finish the look.

Try the trousers on with the flats before deciding on a length. The hem should clear the floor, with the pointed toe peeking out as you move. A pair cut for heels may need shortening.

A forest-green dress brings the holiday color; rhinestone flats add the sparkle. Keep the rest simple and you have an outfit for a dressier dinner or cocktail party.

Quince’s stretch-silk tank midi dress has a high neckline and a bias cut. The broad shoulder straps make it a practical alternative to a strappy slip dress. Pair it with the Copper Key Nola rhinestone mesh flats in black and an Olga Berg black satin clutch.

The dress’s smooth silhouette gives the embellished shoes room to stand out. For a chilly arrival, add a tailored coat; a cropped cardigan can stay on indoors without covering the whole outfit.

For a casual holiday party, start with dark straight-leg jeans and give the top and shoes a little shine. This is a useful combination for a friend’s house, drinks or a gathering where a cocktail dress would feel like too much.

The Gap ’90s slim straight jeans in Dark Rinsed Wash work with Quince’s black split-neck silk blouse. Add FitFlop Delicato flats in silver metallic and silver dome hoops.

A front tuck keeps the blouse from swallowing the jeans. Aim for a hem that reaches the top of the shoe without pooling, so the silver stays visible. Gap says that these jeans fit small and DSW also notes that the flats run narrow, so check both fit guides.

Chocolate, ivory and gold make a softer holiday palette. A silk midi skirt with a cashmere crewneck feels right for hosting or a family dinner, especially when you want something you can keep wearing after December. Pair Quince’s silk midi skirt in Hot Fudge with its ivory cashmere crewneck. The Boden Patti embroidered gold flats bring the festive detail, with a round toe and small bow. You can repeat the gold twisted hoops from the trousers look.

A small front tuck shows the waistband and gives the outfit shape. Let the rest of the sweater fall naturally. The contrast between the soft knit and smooth skirt is enough to make the combination interesting.

For New Year’s Eve, pair a sequin skirt with a simple black knit and let red patent Mary Janes supply the color. It’s a festive outfit with enough contrast to keep the sequins from taking over. The Anthropologie Tilda sequin slip maxi skirt in black has a bias cut and pulls on. Wear it with Quince’s black cotton boatneck sweater, Franco Sarto Tinsley Mary Janes in Gothic Red Patent and the black satin clutch.

The skirt is a maxi, measuring 37.5 inches in the standard fit. Check the length with flats, especially if you’re petite. You want it clear of the floor and short enough for the red shoes to show (shortening a sequin skirt is a job to discuss with a tailor).

Start with the hem. Trousers that pool around the shoe can hide the detail you built the outfit around, while a skirt that drags needs a different length or fit. Then choose where the festive detail goes. Velvet or sequins work with a simple shoe; rhinestones, embroidery or red patent can dress up quieter clothing. You don’t need to add shine to every piece. If you already own the jeans, sweater or black blouse, start there. A dressy pair of flats may be the only new piece your holiday outfit needs. Cheers!