What to Wear for Christmas Dinner

Enjoy Christmas dinner to the fullest by wearing an outfit that’s comfortable and helps you feel your best. Whether you prefer to dress up or stay casual, there are plenty of outfit ideas to consider. Here are some of our holiday-worthy favorites:

A Dress and Cardigan

If you want a look for Christmas dinner that’s timeless and elegant, you can’t go wrong with a dress-and-cardigan combo. There’s a variety of dress styles to choose from, ranging in length from the knee to the ankle. With petite, regular, and plus-size dresses available, there’s a dress to fit every style and preference.

Dresses come in sleeveless, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve styles. Any of these can work for Christmas dinner if you layer a sweater on top. When it comes to fabrics, there are multiple options to consider. Cotton/modal is light, smooth, and has a hint of stretch. Or look for an easy-care, wrinkle-resistant polyester/rayon blend. For a dress that feels like your favorite tee, opt for a cotton jersey knit.

Like dresses, cardigan sweaters come in different lengths. For a streamlined look that pairs well with a sheath dress or other fitted knee-length dress, opt for a cardigan that hits the waist. Look for a long cardigan that falls past the hips if you prefer more coverage. Long cardigans go with any dress style but are especially flattering with maxi dresses.

Any color combo can work when it comes to choosing a dress and cardigan. For a look that’s both classic and festive, wear a black dress with a cardigan in a bright holiday hue such as red or green.

Corduroy Pants and a Christmas Sweater

Another option for holiday dinner is to wear corduroy pants with a Christmas sweater. There are lots of corduroy pants available, from classic mid-rise, straight leg pants to bootcut and skinny styles. If you love the look of high-rise jeans but want something a bit dressier, choose high-rise corduroy pants or leggings.

There are plenty of options when it comes to pairing corduroy leggings or pants with a sweater. You could choose red corduroy pants and a chunky white sweater for a candy-cane-inspired look. Or wear black or brown corduroy pants with a bright red sweater. There are also Christmas sweaters with wintry prints, such as snowflakes and pine trees.

Black Jeans and a Red Blouse

Women’s black jeans are a versatile wardrobe staple you can wear for Christmas dinner. For optimum comfort, choose a pair of jeans enhanced with stretch. Skinny jeans are stylish and comfortable, which makes them an excellent choice for the holidays. You could also wear black boot-cut jeans, which have a gentle flare at the bottom for a shapely, ’90s-inspired look.

Wear a red blouse with your black jeans for an outfit that’s ideal for Christmas—or any other day for that matter. Performance twill is a comfortable, easy-care blouse material to consider. Or you could choose a red-and-black flannel blouse for a winter outfit that’s casual yet well coordinated. For a semi-dressy look, a red poplin blouse made from a polyester/spandex blend is a fashionable option.

Jeggings and a Tunic Top

For the appearance of jeans with the comfort of leggings, wear a pair of jeggings. Also called jean leggings, these bottoms have a structured look with plenty of stretch. The difference between jeggings and skinny jeans is that jeggings don’t have pockets and they’re equipped with a wide elastic waistband for a smooth, streamlined look. If you like a classic fit, mid-rise jeggings made from French terry are a good choice.

Tunics work well with jeggings because they provide plenty of coverage for your hips and bottom. There are lots of tunic tops to choose from, including pullover styles in holiday colors and button-down tunics in solids and prints. A cowl-neck tunic sweater in red or green is a good choice for Christmas dinner, or you can go for a jersey-knit scoop-neck tunic if you prefer a light, flowy fabric.

Comfortable Women’s Loungewear

If comfort is the priority on Christmas day, there are plenty of women’s loungewear pieces you can choose from. Women’s yoga pants with a tee or sweatshirt is an outfit that’s comfortable enough to wear all day. Even sweatpants and a sweatshirt can be festive if you choose holiday colors. Women’s pajama pants with a matching pajama top can also work for Christmas dinner if you’re set on keeping things super casual. Choose pants with a holiday print to keep your look festive.