Festive attire dress code: what it means and what to wear
Cocktail attire with a seasonal twist: sparkle, velvet, rich colours.
- When
- Evening
- Trousers for women
- Yes
- Tie
- Depends
- Jeans
- No
- Sneakers
- No
On the invitation: „Festive attire“, „Holiday attire“, „Šventinė apranga“
When it's worn
Christmas and New Year parties, winter celebrations.
Colours
Burgundy, bottle green, gold, silver, black.
For women
A velvet, sequin or satin dress + heels + festive jewellery.
- A velvet midi dress
- A sequin skirt with a cashmere sweater
- Satin trousers with a dressy top
Shoes: Metallic or velvet shoes.
Example – velvet: A bottle-green velvet midi dress, gold earrings and black heels.
Full guide: for women →For men
A dark suit or velvet blazer + a shirt or fine roll neck.
- A velvet blazer (burgundy, bottle green)
- A festive tie or pocket square
Shoes: Polished leather shoes or velvet loafers.
Example – velvet blazer: A burgundy velvet blazer, white shirt, black trousers and black loafers.
Full guide: for men →In summer
For summer celebrations: bright colours and prints instead of velvet.
In winter
In winter: velvet, cashmere, sequins, gold and silver.
Where it comes from
Festive attire is a newer, informal phrase used by companies and hosts who want cocktail-level dress with seasonal playfulness.
Common mistakes
- Costume-y looks – the Christmas jumper only if announced
- Casual sweatshirts
Business formal
The most conservative office dress: a dark suit and tie, a skirt or trouser suit.
Business casual
Today's office standard: no suit or tie, but polished – chinos, shirts, blazers, blouses, loafers.
All dress codes
- White tie
- Morning dress
- Black tie
- Black tie optional
- Creative black tie
- Cocktail attire
- Business formal
- Semi-formal
- Festive attire
- Business professional
- Business casual
- Garden party attire
- Beach formal
- Smart casual
- Dressy casual
- Resort wear
- Casual
Events with this code:
Frequently asked
01What does Festive attire mean?
Cocktail attire with a seasonal twist: sparkle, velvet, rich colours.
02What to wear to an office Christmas party?
Business wear with a festive touch: a velvet blazer or dress, a sparkly skirt with a knit, bolder accessories. Avoid anything too revealing.
03Festive attire: can women wear trousers?
Yes – elegant trousers or a trouser suit are perfectly fine.
04Festive attire: is a tie required?
Optional, but safer with one – it's easier to take off than to put on.
05Festive attire: are jeans OK?
No – jeans are too casual for this code; choose tailored trousers.
06Festive attire: are sneakers OK?
No – choose leather shoes.