Holiday Party Dress Guide: Long Sleeve Velvet, Sweater Dresses & Going-Out Tops

Every winter, the same question shows up in your search bar:
“What should I wear to the holiday party?”

Scroll a bit and you’ll see terms like holiday party dress, long sleeve holiday dress, velvet dress, sweater dress, winter wedding guest dresses, long sleeve going out top and more. It looks like a lot—but underneath, they’re all trying to solve the same problem:

How do I look dressed up, stay warm, and still buy something I can wear again?

In this guide, we’ll break down the main holiday and winter options—long sleeve dresses, sweater dresses, velvet, going-out tops and thermal layers—so you can build outfits that feel festive and practical.

1. Why long sleeve holiday outfits are trending again

For a long time, holiday party outfits focused on:

• Tiny straps

• Short hemlines

• Fabrics that looked great in photos but felt freezing in real life

Now, searches for things like long sleeve holiday dress, long sleeve winter dress, sweater dress, long sleeve going out top and even thermal long sleeve women/men are rising.

Why?

• People want to be comfortable in real weather, not just in photos.

• Offices, restaurants and venues can be drafty in winter.

• Fashion trends (think brands like SKIMS, Intimissimi, Old Navy) lean into sleek long sleeves, body-skimming knits and layering.

So instead of thinking “tiny dress + freezing,” think:

Long sleeves + smart fabric + one or two statement details.

That’s the sweet spot for holiday dressing now.

2. Holiday party dress vs long sleeve holiday dress vs everyday holiday dress

When you search “holiday party dress,” you’ll see everything from sequin mini dresses to simple knit midi styles. It helps to separate them into three buckets:

1. Statement holiday party dress

• Bold detail: sequins, metallic, dramatic sleeve, or cut-out.

• Best for: office parties, New Year’s Eve, big events.

• Usually more “one night only” unless you style it carefully.

2. Long-sleeve holiday dress

• The keyword people actually type when they want warm but dressy.

• Often in velvet, satin, or structured knits.

• Neckline and waist shaping do the “party” work while sleeves and length keep it practical.

3. Everyday holiday dress

• It could be a sweater dress in red, green, burgundy, or cream.

• Works for brunch, casual dinners, work and still looks right in December photos.

If you don’t want to buy 3 different pieces, choosing a long-sleeve holiday dress in a wearable color (like burgundy, deep green, black, or chocolate brown) will give you the most mileage.

3. Velvet & long sleeve velvet dress: instant evening upgrade

Searches for velvet dress, long sleeve velvet dress, long sleeve winter dress, and holiday dress spike every winter for a reason: velvet screams evening without trying too hard.

Why velvet works for winter

• It reflects light beautifully in photos and dim rooms.

• It looks luxurious even in simple cuts.

• It feels naturally warmer than thin satin.

Best velvet shapes for a holiday party dress

• Long sleeve velvet mini – party-ready with tights and boots.

• Long sleeve velvet midi – perfect for office events and more formal dinners.

• Wrap-style velvet dress – adjustable, forgiving and flattering on most body types.

If you choose a long sleeve velvet dress in a rich tone like burgundy, emerald or navy, you can wear it to:

• Work parties

• Theater or date nights

• Winter wedding receptions (depending on dress code)

Just swap accessories: boots and opaque tights for casual, heels and clutch for formal.

4. Sweater dress & long sleeve sweater dress: cozy but polished

A sweater dress or long sleeve sweater dress is the answer if you’re secretly the person who would rather stay in a cozy sweatshirt.

What makes a good sweater dress?

• Mid- to heavyweight knit that doesn’t cling to every line.

• Enough structure to hold its shape, not collapse like a giant jumper.

• A length that fits your life:

  • Mini with thick tights

  • Knee length for office

  • Midi for more formal events

Styling ideas

• Add a belt to define the waist.

• Wear with knee-high boots for instant “put together” energy.

• Throw on a long coat for outdoor events.

A neutral cream, camel, grey or black long sleeve sweater dress can work for:

• Casual holiday gatherings

• Office days in December

• Winter city breaks and dinners out

If you want more drama, look for sweater dresses with balloon sleeves, ribbing details or side slits.

5. Burgundy & brown long sleeve dresses: the easiest festive colors

You’ll see searches like burgundy long sleeve dress, burgundy dress, brown long sleeve dress especially around November and December.

These colors are trending because they:

• Look rich and festive without neon-level brightness.

• Work for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• Pair easily with black, cream, gold and animal prints.

How to use them

• Burgundy long sleeve dress

  • Great as a holiday party dress or winter wedding guest dress.

  • Pairs well with gold jewelry and nude or black heels.

• Brown long sleeve dress

  • Perfect for more relaxed events and day-to-night outfits.

  • Looks chic with cream boots or a camel coat.

If you’re buying just one dress for the entire season, choosing a long sleeve winter dress in burgundy is one of the safest, most versatile bets.

6. Long sleeve winter dress vs winter wedding guest dresses

Not every winter dress is wedding-appropriate. Searches for winter wedding guest dresses often overlap with holiday party dress, but there are some differences.

For a general long sleeve winter dress

• You can go shorter, especially if you’ll be indoors.

• You can choose more casual fabrics: sweater knits, ribbed knits, simple jersey.

• Footwear can be anything from sneakers to boots.

For winter wedding guest dresses

Aim for:

• Long sleeve holiday dress or velvet dress with a polished finish.

• Midi or maxi length if the event is more formal.

• Fabrics like velvet, satin, crepe, structured knits.

• Colors: jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, burgundy), deep neutrals.

Avoid:

• Ultra casual prints that scream daytime loungewear.

• Anything too close to the bridal color palette (off-white, very pale blush depending on the couple’s wishes).

If you choose wisely, your winter wedding guest dress can also double as a New Year’s Eve outfit with different shoes and earrings.

7. Long sleeve going-out tops: from garage crossover to dressy nights

Not every event needs a dress. That’s where long sleeve going out top, going out tops, going out long sleeve tops and specific styles like garage crossover long sleeve come in.

These tops usually feature:

• Interesting necklines: off-shoulder, one-shoulder, crossover, square.

• Textured fabrics: ribbed knit, mesh sleeves, satin, velvet.

• Details: ruching, cut-outs, ties, twist fronts.

How to style going-out tops

• With straight or wide-leg jeans and heels for casual nights.

• With faux leather pants or a mini skirt for more dramatic events.

• Under a blazer for office-to-party transitions.

If you don’t love dresses, building a mini-collection of:

• 1 black long sleeve going out top

• 1 lighter or metallic going-out top

• 1 statement top (crossover, garage-style, or velvet)

…will cover most nights out in autumn/winter.

8. Thermal long sleeve layers: women, men & long sleeve thermal shirts

Searches for thermal long sleeve women, thermal long sleeve mens and long sleeve thermal shirts jump whenever temperatures drop—especially in colder states.

These don’t have to look like old-school bulky long johns.

Modern thermal layers

Many brands (think SKIMS, Intimissimi long sleeve, and thermal lines from Old Navy) offer:

• Slim, smooth thermals that sit flat under dresses and tops.

• Neutral colors (black, brown, nude, grey) that don’t show under sheer fabrics.

• Both crewneck and scoop neck cuts.

How to use them:

• Wear a thermal long sleeve under a sweater dress on very cold days.

• Layer under a long sleeve winter dress that’s made from thinner fabric.

• Men can wear long sleeve thermal shirts under button-downs or sweaters for outdoor events.

Thermals are one of the best investments because they make all your other clothes warmer without changing your style.

9. Brand-inspired silhouettes: SKIMS, Intimissimi, Old Navy & altar’d state vibes

Some of the rising keywords in the long sleeve world are actually brands: SKIMS, Old Navy, Intimissimi, altar’d state/altered state.

You don’t have to buy from specific labels to borrow their silhouette ideas:

• SKIMS-inspired:

  • Body-skimming, stretchy long sleeves in solid neutrals.

  • Great as bases under slip dresses, sweater vests and blazers.

• Intimissimi long sleeve / Intimissimi top inspired:

  • Fine, delicate fabrics with lace or subtle details.

  • Ideal under holiday dresses or by themselves with dress pants.

• Old Navy style:

  • Accessible basics: long sleeve holiday dress, sweater dress, jersey dress, and simple going-out tops.

  • Easy to copy with any brand that offers clean, simple cuts.

• Altar’d State vibes:

  • Feminine, sometimes boho: lace, ruffles, florals, and flowy sleeves.

  • Nice for people who want soft, romantic looks during the holidays.

Use these as style references, then choose pieces from your favorite stores or POD brands that follow similar shapes and details.

10. Building a small holiday capsule with dresses, sweaters & going-out tops

You don’t need a full new wardrobe for December and January. A realistic cold-weather capsule might look like:

• 1 long sleeve velvet dress

  • In burgundy, emerald or navy, works for parties and some weddings.

• 1 sweater dress or long sleeve sweater dress

  • In cream, camel, black or grey for everyday and casual events.

• 1 long sleeve holiday dress or long sleeve winter dress

  • Slightly less formal than the velvet one, easy to dress up or down.

• 2 long sleeve going-out tops

  • One black (crossover, off-shoulder or draped).

  • One in a lighter color or soft metallic.

• 2 thermal long sleeve layers

  • One black, one skin-tone or brown to hide under anything.

• 1 great pair of boots + 1 pair of heeled shoes

  • To swap the mood from casual to “party”.

With a capsule like this, you can mix and match for:

• Office parties

• Friends’ gatherings

• Winter wedding guest outfits

• Date nights and New Year’s Eve

• Everyday December outings where you still want to look a bit special