When you think hot holiday dresses, you probably imagine your budget flying out of the window. And if you’re like me, you’d rather save the money for holiday gifts and not necessarily drop a couple hundred dollars on a dress you might only wear once or twice. Of course, you could always rent a fabulous holiday dress on Rent the Runway, but for close to the same price, you could snag a stylish dress for yourself that you’ll wear for New Year’s or even way beyond the holiday season.
Here, I rounded up 10 hot (and dare I say sexy) holiday dresses all under $100 that I’d love to have in my own closet. Here’s hoping you’ll find one you’d love to hang in yours, too.
With so many dresses super short these days, I’m loving the length of this Norma Kamali shirred waist dress. I think it’s the perfect LBD for the 35+ crowd (raising hand here) and the shirred waist is super flattering. Add some great heels (think metallic or red), a bold necklace, and a wrap to keep your shoulders warm and you’ve got the perfect party dress you can wear in January or even September. (Shop Bop, $74)
Jacquard is everywhere, mamas, but this jacquard dress at Zara is a stand out for me, with the jeweled collar that makes it festive. And if you’re like me and aren’t so fond of your upper arms these days, this sleeve length is your friend. (Zara, $49.99)
If you’re looking for something short and flirty without going over the top, this Tahari fit flare dress is a mature option–aka it won’t make you look like you were shopping in the juniors section. The gold belt cinches the waist perfectly and 3/4 sleeves make it excellent for colder climes. I’d definitely add a colored stiletto and a big cuff for the party season. (Nordstrom, $76.80)
I still can’t believe this Badgley Mischka short sleeve dress is under $100, but that’s why there’s Bluefly. I personally prefer a bit of a sleeve to cover my upper arms, and the tight waist with the fun flare skirt works well with all different shapes and sizes. (Bluefly, on sale for $77) [Editor’s note: At the time of publication, this dress was on sale for $77, but is now back to its regular price].
You pregnant mamas don’t necessarily need to be relegated to maternity dresses. Try this super fun all neutral dress at Modcloth instead. And hey, it also works for those of us “haven’t been pregnant in 5 years” mamas who don’t want to be stuck in Spanx all night long. (Modcloth, $99)
Yes, you can wear green and not look like a Christmas tree. I particularly love the boat neck of this Gabby Skye jacquard fit flare dress plus the seams that pull it in right at the waist, not to mention the flare skirt that is a pear-shaped lady’s friend. Just steer clear of the red shoes and opt for something neutral instead, like opaque black tights and heels with either earrings or a bracelet. Let you and the dress be the star of the outfit. (Nordstrom, $98)
I rented a more formal version of this dress from Rent the Runway twice I loved it so much. You can either push the sleeves up like the model here, or leave them long. And the shoulder shimmer detail combined with the stretch knit fabric on this Vince Camuto sheath dress means stylish but still comfortable, which is especially helpful if you’re chasing kids at a family party. (Nordstrom, $99)
This fabulous teal is everywhere this holiday season, and I think it’s the perfect alternative to green if you’re looking for color but aren’t an evergreen fan. This short dress is definitely a playful style and on the shorter side, so I like the idea of wearing it with a bootie. This is definitely a dress you could wear later on for a date night or girls night out. (H&M, $24.95)
This tea length knotted dress is hot stuff. Love the slit and the knot right at the waist. Who said long dresses can’t be sexy? (Zara, $69.90)
If you’re going to wear a red dress ever, the holidays is your time. My pick is this Calvin Klein pleated dress that looks like it could be perfect on a 45-year old or a 29-year old like me (ha). (Macy’s, $89.98)
I can’t think of a better dress for a night that includes a twirl or ten on the dance floor. And if you don’t have any holiday party RSVPs, then I suggest grabbing this fringed dress and making some New Year’s Eve plans stat. (H&M, $39.95)
We’ve got lots and lots of cool fashion picks for moms in our archives. And make sure to follow our Just Our Style and Holiday Style Pinterest boards.
