We Shopped for Holiday Party Dresses Under $300. These Were the Best.
A bold, high-necked trapeze dress: Cos Fluid Halterneck Mini Dress
This well-priced halter-neck mini has a chic, oversize trapeze shape, and it comes in a beautiful, poppy red that’s holiday-ready (yet not strictly seasonal). At the neckline, a unique tie detail allows for some fun customization.
The Cos flagship store was one of my first stops: This H&M-owned retailer is a go-to option for chic, minimalist designs that look more expensive than they are. I was hoping to try on the Fluid Halterneck Mini Dress, which I’d already scoped out online, but the store didn’t have it in stock. I crossed my fingers and placed an order — and the dress did not disappoint. In person, its voluminous shape, interesting tie detail, and dazzling color (a bold, spirit-lifting red) packed even more punch (it also comes in pale green and chocolate brown, though these hues aren’t as striking). The Fluid Halterneck is also a rare find in this category: It feels both holiday-appropriate and summer-ready. And it has pockets!
How we’d style it: The bright color and clean lines mostly speak for themselves. Throw on a cocoon coat and a simple pair of flats, and you’re ready to mix and mingle. For a slightly bolder look, a knee-high boot looks moddish and cool.
The oversize trapeze silhouette is a delight. On my 5-foot-6 frame, this dress is almost knee-length, and with its high neckline and dramatic A-line shape, it feels modern and playful. I ordered a size 4 (my usual), and I liked the voluminous fit through the body and comfy, adjustable halter. The Fluid Halterneck is especially forgiving, and any dress that allows me to chow down at a party with utter freedom gets a “heck, yes!” from me.
I had fun with the dramatic tie at the neckline. The high halter neck is secured with a long, wide tie. For a streamlined look, I wore the tie long and loosely knotted, and for maximum cheer, I tied it up in a festive back bow. It can also be wrapped around the neck like a scarf or even tied in the front. (Cos provides some photo examples on the product page.)
The fabric has an unexpected sheen. I was instantly struck by the fabric’s silky-smooth texture and subtle lustre. The woven material (made mostly from drapey Tencel Lyocell) is relatively light and fluid, yet it’s still structured enough for the dress to maintain its bell-like shape. And the garment is fully lined in the same fabric (the added layer helps the dress cascade more cleanly).
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Since the Fluid Halterneck’s sleeves are deeply cut, you may not be able to get away with wearing a regular bra. These sticky silicone nipple covers could be a solution. Understandably, not everyone is a fan of a voluminous, waist-less silhouette. (And the proportions of this dress could overwhelm those with smaller frames.) This dress comes in a pretty limited size range, from 2 to 14. But due to its oversize shape, there’s a decent amount of wiggle room, especially for tummies and hips.
Key specs
- Material: 88% Tencel Lyocell, 12% polyester
- Sizes: 2 to 14
- Colors: red, light green, dark brown
Another dress from Cos that’s worth considering:
- I tried on (and liked) the Boiled Wool A-Line Mini Dress, which is a simple scoop-neck sleeveless mini. Granted, it isn’t overtly festive, but the dense, felted texture of its boiled-wool material does feel seasonally appropriate. It’s also versatile: With the right styling and accessories, this dress could take you through the holidays and beyond.
A playful beaded mini: AQUA x Angelica Hicks Dirty Olive Sleeveless Mini Dress
Adorned with cocktail olives, this whimsical beaded mini — available in sizes 00 to 18 — is sure to stir up conversation. It’s comfier than it looks, with a full lining and generous amount of stretch — and it’s surprisingly easy on the wallet, too.
A beaded cocktail dress embellished with martini olives? That’s the spirit! As soon as I spotted the Aqua x Angelica Hicks Dirty Olive Sleeveless Mini Dress on a mannequin at Bloomingdales, I knew I had to try it on. This glittering mini is part of a brand collab with Angelica Hicks, a fashion illustrator who’s TikTok-famous for making runway looks out of everyday household items, and it has that same playful, irreverent feel. Plus, compared with the size ranges of most other dresses we found, this one’s is more inclusive, fitting sizes 00 to 18. And while it looks chichi, it’s priced well under my maximum budget of $300 per dress.
How we’d style it: Go all-out glam with stilettos, a faux-fur coat, and a playful clutch. Or, for a more understated look, pair this shift with kitten heels and a boxy wool coat.
I was looking for whimsy and sparkle, and this dress absolutely delivers. From afar, the pattern looks almost abstract — a repeating arrangement of green, gold, and black beading. Up close, the festive martini garnish motif (complete with a faithful rendition of a knotted cocktail pick) comes into focus. The effect is snazzy, jazzy, and a little tongue-in-cheek.
For a beaded mini dress, it’s surprisingly practical. The square neckline sits high enough to conceal a strapless bra, and the delicate straps can be adjusted by up to 7.5 inches to suit different bodies. I also like that it has a full lining, which provides more coverage and a smoother feel against skin. And both the shell and the lining are blended with spandex, so the fit (which I found to be true to size) is unexpectedly stretchy and accommodating.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Dirty Olive Sleeveless Mini’s beading looks beautiful, but the poly/spandex material feels cheap. The straps are tricky to adjust, and I noticed a few (non-critical) loose threads. I’m 5-foot-6, and on me the dress hit a few inches above the knee; it may feel too short on taller or curvier frames.
Key specs
- Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex (shell); 96% polyester, 4% spandex (lining)
- Sizes: XXS to XXL (00 to 18)
- Colors: black
A (kinda goth) fit-and-flare tulle mini: AllSaints Madi Fitted Dress
This flirty mini dress juxtaposes a cheerful silhouette — fitted bodice, fluttery sleeves, swishy skirt — with moody layers of black tulle. Just note that it runs a tad small, and it comes only in sizes 00 to 12.
The AllSaints Madi Fitted Dress was the first thing that caught my eye as I walked into the UK brand’s vibey SoHo pop-up. This mini is fun, flirty, and — like many of the label’s offerings — all black and a little bit goth. (Think grown-up Wednesday Addams, which is right in my wheelhouse.) The fluttery tulle and fit-and-flare shape make this dress just right for cocktail-hour meetups and date nights — or a December darkwave dance party.
How we’d style it: Amp up the edginess by adding chunky boots, an oversize leather jacket, and a silver cuff. If the occasion calls for a more-demure look, pivot to sweet Mary Janes, sheer polka-dot tights, and an A-line coat.
The proportions are spot-on. The Madi dress has gracefully flared sleeves and a fitted bodice with a pleated sweetheart neckline, and the subtly dropped waist fans out into a swingy A-line skirt. These shapes work together to create a waist-snatching, hourglass-shaped balance of volume on top and bottom (which I appreciate, since, sadly, I’m not working with much on my lower half).
Clever construction makes this dress special. The criss-crossing overlay at the neckline and the ethereal, bell-like sleeves are made from sheer (polyester) tulle, which reveals every gather and pleat. “Godets,” or triangular panels of fabric, are inset throughout the skirt to create extra volume, swishy movement, and a subtly irregular hemline. (This dress feels made for twirling.)
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Tulle is fun, but it’s not the most durable material. It can easily snag on pointy jewelry, kitty-cat claws, and boughs of holly. I wore this dress in my usual size 4, but it fit more snugly — especially around the bust — than most others. I’m 5-foot-6, and on me it hit about 4 inches above the knee, so it might be a bit too racy on taller frames. It also comes in a narrow size range (from 00 to 12), which is a bummer.
Key specs
- Material: 100% recycled polyester
- Sizes: 00 to 12
- Colors: black
Other dresses from AllSaints that are worth considering:
- I tried on the Lana Lace Trim Mini T-Shirt Dress, which is a half-satin, half-cotton jersey T-shirt number, and I dug the asymmetric silhouette. It’s a cool option for more-casual gatherings.
- I was pretty enamored with the sparkling Chantelle Sequin Midi Slip Dress, which has a fishnet-patterned sequin overlay that adds sparkle, texture, and a welcome touch of rock ’n’ roll. For the right occasion, this could be a winner, but it was a little too pricey for this exercise.
A velvet maxi with a dramatic slit: BHLDN Blake Square Neck Stretch Velvet Maxi Dress
If you want to make an entrance, look no further than this fitted, floor-sweeping velvet dress with a dramatic side slit. It’s accommodatingly stretchy (and available in sizes 00 to 18), but the fabric is rather clingy.
I’ll be honest: Long, form-fitting silhouettes are outside my comfort zone. Nevertheless, I took a leap of faith and ordered the BHLDN Blake Square Neck Stretch Velvet Maxi Dress, a sultry offering from Anthropologie’s in-house bridal and occasionwear line. And I have to admit that it’s pretty fabulous. The jewel-tone velvet material and floor-length silhouette (punctuated by a daring side slit) are equally on point for a fancy winter wedding, a glitzy holiday fundraiser, or any other formal soirée. Plus, it comes in more sizes — from 00 to 18 — than most of the dresses we tried, and it fits true to size.
How we’d style it: Embrace this maxi’s red-carpet vibes with pointy heels, a faux-fur capelet, and sparkly jewelry (this stunning white sapphire, single-strand necklace is a Wirecutter favorite). Or zag and put on a velvet blazer.
The dramatic side slit feels fresh and fun. I usually go for shorter dresses, which I find to be more playful, and I like a leggy look. But the Blake dress manages to pull off a full-length silhouette without feeling stuffy. And it still shows plenty of leg, thanks to an arresting, thigh-high slit on the left side, which adds a bit of movement to the skirt and a surprising dash of sauciness to the otherwise-formal shape.
It’s the holidays — when else am I going to wear green velvet? This dress is made from polyester-elastane velvet, with a soft pile and generous stretch, and it’s fully lined with a delicate mesh material that’s comfy next to skin. I chose it in a richly saturated emerald green, which looks especially lustrous; it also comes in (IMO less-captivating) shades of brown, black, and olive green.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Blake Square Neck Dress isn’t the most versatile choice; there are only a few occasions (and times of year) when it would feel appropriate. The higher-cut square neckline made my chest look a little loaf-like, and I’d have preferred a V-neck. Also, the fitted column shape doesn’t create the illusion of curves where none exist, so it may look better on someone with a fuller lower half. The stretchiness of the velvet material, while comfy to wear, makes the dress clingy. Finally, take note of the length: at 5-foot-6, it pooled onto the ground around my feet without heels.
Key specs
- Material: 90% polyester, 10% elastane
- Sizes: XXS to XXL (00 to 18)
- Colors: emerald green, olive, black, brown
