Here's What To Wear To Holiday Parties

One of the best and busiest times of the year is here. If your iCal looks anything like ours, you're booked every weekend from now until the New Year with Friendsgiving dinners, work parties, and a whole lotta family time. And unless you're totally type-A (in which case, please show us your ways), you're probably scrambling to book a last-minute flight home, trying to figure out WTF to bring to your bestie's potluck dinner, and debating whether or not anything in your closet constitutes as office party apropos. So allow us to help: book that flight NOW, then sneak a store-bought dessert into a dish that only makes it look homemade. And do not, we repeat, DO NOT wear that leather bodycon to your work white elephant party, unless you're ready to face a serious staredown from your boss. Instead, read on for four outfit ideas that'll help to keep this holiday season free of any headaches.

Your BFF's Friendsgiving

What could be better than good food, lots of wine, and your closest friends--all crammed in to your BFFs apartment? Aside from a little more elbow room, not much. Friendsgiving is your chance to enjoy everything you love about Thanksgiving, minus nosy family members asking how much longer til your married and not-so-subtly side eyeing your outfit. It's also one of the only dinner parties you'll be able to get away with rocking a sheer-sleeved, deep V neck crop top, like this one by For Love and Lemons, with a body skimming mini skirt. Add a statement necklace for a bit of sparkle, and if anyone asks for the recipe to your store-bought pumpkin pie--wink and tell 'em it's an old family secret you'd be remiss to spill.

Office Holiday Party

Work parties can be tough. Everyone's a little awkward to let loose and secretly wondering how many drinks you can get away with without getting embarrassingly buzzed (or worse). According to this chart, the amount you're allowed to drink directly corresponds to the cool-ness of your company and where you land on the totem pole. But while there's a handy chart to tell you how much you're allowed to drink, there's no real guideline for what you're allowed to wear. Sure, we all love a daring fashion moment, but an office party is one instance where playing it safe pays off. Our eyes are on this relaxed fit sequin shift dress by Free People. The cut is conservative enough to wear around coworkers, but the all over sequin detailing keeps it feeling festive. Add your own personal touch with a Western-inspired belt and layers of gold necklaces.

Thanksgiving Eve Outing

Thanksgiving Eve may as well be called "high school reunion 2.0." You're likely to spend the night hanging with high school friends, naively thinking you can drink as heavily as you did back in the day, and inevitably, bumping into your ex. And while you're definitely over him, there's no harm in looking really hot when running into an old fling--and in this case, we suggest a lacy For Love and Lemons LBD under a cute leopard print coat. A basic black ankle bootie completes the look and helps it all feel low-key enough for a night spent at the only bar in your tiny hometown. Bottoms up!

Thanksgiving Dinner with the Fam

When all the Friendsgiving dinners, work parties and other holiday outings are over, you still aren't off the hook for Thanksgiving with the family. And isn't that what this time of year is all about anyway? Whether you're headed home for the holidays or lucky enough to have family down the street, make sure to wear something you can move in, so that when mom is need of a hand in the kitchen you can lend one. An easy maxi in a pretty floral-esque print like this Tigerlily Turkish Baths Maxi should fit the bill. Grandma will love how ladylike you look, you'll be comfy enough to kick back with Dad post-feast to watch the big game, and your little sister will definitely try to snatch it out of your suitcase before you leave town.