It's tempting to go all out on a new party dress [1] when you're shopping for holiday attire. The sequins! The shimmer! The playful silhouettes! With so many festive options at your fingertips, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that you might only wear said dress once, maybe twice. Unless, of course, you're like me and like to push the limit on the number of times you can wear a fun party dress (or any dress for that matter) sans suspicious up-and-down glances from onlookers who are wondering if they've already seen you in it.
Whether you're riddled with guilt when purchasing a party dress or routinely ask yourself if you can get away with wearing one multiple times [2], an affordable style like this POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress [3] ($68) is my first recommended step. The next course of action — and this is something I always do when buying a new piece of clothing — is challenging yourself to think of at least three ways you can wear it, which is exactly what I did when I laid eyes on this polka-dot number.
With gently puffed sleeves, a smocked waist, and a midi length, this affordable party dress is more than on-trend for the season, but ultra-flattering, too. It's the kind of silhouette that makes you feel perfectly dressed up when paired with spirited accessories while being versatile enough to wear any day of the week throughout the year. But since we're primarily here to talk about holiday fashion, I'm showing you how I put this teal dress to the holiday test, styling it three different ways for three different parties on my December calendar.
Ahead, witness me wearing this Smocked Bodice Midi Dress [4] from the newest POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [5] for an office party, at-home holiday gathering, and glamorous soiree (this look has all the razzle-dazzle elements I love for New Year's Eve!). Then, shop each of my looks head-to-toe, including my exact items as well as some affordable alternatives to please every budget. Wearing a party dress only once? So passé!
Style Your Holiday Dress For: A Fancy Party
Whether you're ever the glamour girl or go glitzy just for the holidays, this midi dress is gorgeous with eye-catching extras like a festive rhinestone bag.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: A Fancy Party
When it comes to shoes, a pair of luxe-looking tall boots is a fresh choice in place of heels (not to mention a warmer option in cold weather) whether you go for velvet, hair-calf, snake print, or suede.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: A Fancy Party
Then, it's all about the layering. I opted for a faux fur coat (also from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [7]!) and glittering jewellery in both silver and gold.
POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress
POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress [8] ($68)
Urban Outfitters Alana Velvet Knee-High Boot
Urban Outfitters Alana Velvet Knee-High Boot [9] ($98)
Tamara Mellon Kindred Mid Calf 105 Haircalf Bots
Tamara Mellon Kindred Mid Calf 105 Haircalf Bots [10] ($695)
POPSUGAR Faux Fur Coat
POPSUGAR Faux Fur Coat [11] ($49, originally $98)
Zara Fringed Mesh Beading Crossbody Bag
Zara Fringed Mesh Beading Crossbody Bag [12] ($60)
Zaxie 62 Carat CZ Tennis Necklace
Zaxie 62 Carat CZ Tennis Necklace [13] ($98)
Zales 3 CT. T.W. Diamond Chevron Flower Necklace in 14K White Gold
Zales 3 CT. T.W. Diamond Chevron Flower Necklace in 14K White Gold [14] ($ $3,500, originally $5,000)
Roxanne Assoulin Golden Hour Bracelet
Roxanne Assoulin Golden Hour Bracelet [15] ($80)
Baublebar Almina 18K Gold Vermeil Ring Set of 3
Baublebar Almina 18K Gold Vermeil Ring Set of 3 [16] ($55, originally $84)
Barbela Diamond Eternity Ring
Barbela Diamond Eternity Ring [17] ($1,060)
Barbela Diamond Eternity Ring
Barbela Diamond Eternity Ring [18] ($1,060)
Barbela Diamond Eternity Ring
Barbela Diamond Eternity Ring [19] ($1,060)
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An Office Party
I love to offset feminine dresses with tailored pieces, which is exactly what I did for an after-work office party. For an unexpected twist, I went for a little print mixing by topping my polka-dot dress with a pinstripe blazer.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An Office Party
Polished accessories in classic shapes are perfect for an office holiday party. Here, I choose black knee-high boots and a creamy bag to lighten up my palette.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An Office Party
To define my shape, I belted my blazer with a croc-effect belt which A) is on-trend for the season and B) elevated my look to a party-ready level.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An Office Party
To give this outfit more of an after-hours feel, simply ditch the blazer when it's time to cheers!
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An Office Party
Don't forget about the jewellery! I went for a subtle touch of sparkle by way of stacked rings and polished gold hoops.
POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress
POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress [20] ($68)
Zara Pinstripe Blazer
Zara Pinstripe Blazer [21] ($129)
Glamorous Faux Croc Waist and Hip Jeans Belt
Glamorous Faux Croc Waist and Hip Jeans Belt [22] ($13)
Nine West Ela Tall Dress Boots
Nine West Ela Tall Dress Boots [23] ($65, originally $130)
COS Small Rounded Leather Shoulder Bag
COS Small Rounded Leather Shoulder Bag [24] ($150)
Barbela Gold Señorita Hoops
Barbela Gold Señorita Hoops [25] ($980)
Mejuri Boyfriend Mini Hoops
Mejuri Boyfriend Mini Hoops [26] ($50)
Bonito Jewellery Zeus Star Ring
Bonito Jewellery Zeus Star Ring [27] ($49, originally $70)
Barbela Diamond Skylar Pinky Ring
Barbela Diamond Skylar Pinky Ring [28] ($720)
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An At-Home Party
Whether you're playing host or attending a friend or family member's at-home soirée, cosy-luxe is the name of the game. One of my favourite styling tricks (regardless of whether I'm re-wearing a dress for the umpteenth time) is layering a sweater over top as I did here with a fuzzy mock-neck knit (another POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [29] December hit).
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An At-Home Party
Luxe accessories are the perfect way to offset a cosy-chic look — here, I wore a mix of rhinestones and pearls, including hoop earrings, a clutch, and delicate jewellery.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An At-Home Party
Though you may be asked to leave your shoes at the door, a playful pair of heels will bring any dress-and-sweater combo to life.
Style Your Holiday Dress For: An At-Home Party
This outfit formula easily transitions to the post-holiday season, too! In place of festive footwear, simply swap in boots and instead of a clutch, go for a sleek carry-all or crossbody.
POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress
POPSUGAR Smocked Bodice Midi Dress [30] ($68)
POPSUGAR Fuzzy Mockneck Sweater
POPSUGAR Fuzzy Mockneck Sweater [31] ($25, originally $50)
Katy Perry The Editor Heels
Katy Perry The Editor Heels [32] ($103)
Stuart Weitzman The Ricki Sandal
Stuart Weitzman The Ricki Sandal [33] ($575)
Heist The Eighty Tights
Heist The Eighty Tights [34] ($42)
Leore by La Regale Pearl Cluster Pouch Clutch
Leore by La Regale Pearl Cluster Pouch Clutch [35] ($32, originally $80)
Lele Sadoughi Lily Pearl Minaudiere
Lele Sadoughi Lily Pearl Minaudiere [36] ($395)
Express Two Row Rhinestone Hoop Earrings
Express Two Row Rhinestone Hoop Earrings [37] ($15, originally $30)
Zales Marilyn Monroe™ Collection 2 CT. T.W. Journey Diamond Inside-Out Hoop Earrings in 10K White Gold
Zales Marilyn Monroe™ Collection 2 CT. T.W. Journey Diamond Inside-Out Hoop Earrings in 10K White Gold [38] ($2,022)
Roxanne Assoulin Small Higher Standard Bracelet
Roxanne Assoulin Small Higher Standard Bracelet [39] ($80)
Soko Valle Ring
Soko Valle Ring [40] ($78)
Barbela Diamond Diana Ring
Barbela Diamond Diana Ring [41] ($1,370)
Oak + Fort Hair Clip
Oak + Fort Hair Clip [42] ($18)
Executive Style Director: Dana Avidan Cohn
Styling and Market: Laura Lajiness
VP, Creative Director: Jenny Anna Ung
Art Director: Davianna Absera
Photographer: Matthew Kelly
Producer: Cassie Doyle
Digital Tech: Guang Xu
Makeup: Glamsquad [43]