Without even looking at the calendar, I can always tell when the holiday season is fast approaching. Mariah Carey's vocals echo throughout every public space. Decorations start to line the lobbys of every building you walk into. And every kind of velvet fashion item is suddenly flooding new arrivals sections everywhere. It wouldn't be the holiday season without the arrival of outfits that are a little more festive and formal than our everyday ensembles, and the most classic among them is, of course, a velvet dress.
The holiday-ready fabric is as timeless as they come and it only seems to get chicer with every passing year. To prove it, I've put together an edit of the most forward styles to showcase just how "2024" they can be. From boat-neck silhouettes to rich oxblood hues to styles reminiscent of the '90s, these are the dresses to have on our radar—we already do. Simply scroll on to peruse the edit.
Let's be real: nobody does a sleek evening dress quite like Saint Laurent.
There's a reason why Reformation can barely keep this dress in stock.
Simple but so sophisticated.
I'm swooning over every last piece from Liberowe, but especially this velvet number with an ultra-elegant neckline.
Norma Kamali's dresses are the epitome of IYKYK. The fit and the quality are just things you have to experience to fully understand.
Bring the drama this holiday season.
Okay, Abercrombie, I see you, girl.
Couldn't be lovelier.
Full in stock and on-sale... for now.
Leopard is the moment, after all.
I'm such a sucker for anything that comes with a matching scarf.
This boat neck is so elegant.
It's the baby buckle at the neckline for me.
The combination of sheer lace and velvet here is really something else.
A chic little '90s LBD for under $110? Yes, you can have it all.
Realisation dresses are like the sisterhood of the travelling pants in my friend group—they somehow fit both my 5'10" and 4'11" friends.
This drop-waist situation is so good.
It's giving Saint Laurent.
Paging Morticia Addams.
Zoom in to see the micro ruffled hem here. It's so worth it.
Easy, effortless, and the kind of piece that you'll wear far beyond the holidays.
The animal print texture makes this one a little different.
This might just become the comfiest holiday outfit you own.
It's giving '90s Kate Moss.
Love this shade of dark oxblood.
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What Gen Z's Coolest Editors, Stylists, and Creatives Are Giving (and Getting) This Holiday Season'Tis the season.
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It's Here: Our Fancy Winter Dress EditConsider your holiday plans covered.
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I'm a Fashion Editor—5 Holiday Outfit Trends I'm Buying and the One I'm SkippingShop the edit.
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Holiday Dressing Is Going Full 1960s—Here's How to Get the LookJackie O would approve.
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Red Bow Dresses, Velvet Pants, and Tuxedo Shirts—Emma Roberts Shares What She's Wearing This Holiday SeasonAll at affordable price point.
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I Just Tried On GapStudio's Winter 2025 Collection—4 Looks That Made Me Feel Like a '90s ModelFlirty, chic, and rich-looking.
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Soft Elegance Is Trending—Dakota Fanning Looks Like She Stepped Out of a Pre-Raphaelite Painting in This DressSee what everyone wore to Zimmermann's party in L.A.
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If You're Looking for Cute Plus-Size Holiday Clothes, Try These Styles OutEverything from silk to sequins.
