Waxed, vaxxed, and ready to RSVP to all the holiday parties. If that's your motto going into sweater weather, prepare to pull out that dusty box labeled 'heels' from your closet and peruse these L.A.-based brands offering the perfect complementary party dresses. Sequins, feathers, silk and so much more – consider this your one-stop dress shop for an unforgettable return to the holiday season's festivities.
Reformation
What Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer did for Santa on that fateful night is essentially what Reformation is doing for fashion – lighting the way toward greater sustainability and accountability. The brand reports sustainability as being at the core of everything it does, which is why we're 100% on board with rocking their Holiday Collection pieces at all of the parties this season. We're especially loving the Juliette Dress ($218) in emerald or plum – which also happens to be one of our Reformation go-to's – and the slim-fitting, relaxed-skirted Minna Velvet Dress ($248) in crimson. We've made it our end-of-year goal to get the adjustable tie straps on the Minna to look as close to a perfect holiday bow as possible. Prices for dresses in this collection range from $98 to $428.
If you're less excited about the holidays than you are about the parties that come with it, check out the brand's Life of the Party collection where it's less about fitting in with the season and more about standing out from the crowd. Prices for dresses in this collection range from $148 to $298. Luckily for everyone, all of Reformation's dresses can be paired with our favorite – the Vegan Meena Block Heel Sandal ($198). It's made from Cereal Leather and is a USDA BioPreferred material, meaning its bio content claims are validated and you can rest assured that it's made with mostly natural materials and the least amount of plastic possible (which, in this case, is 25%).
Shop the Holiday Collection here or the Life of the party collection here.
Cult Gaia
Cult Gaia is L.A.-based, iconic, and offering 11% off of everything today. We call that a win-win-win. The It girl-approved label's Fall '21 Collection features a number of holiday party-ready pieces like the Jana Knit Dress ($98) and the Carla Knit Dress ($498). As spring-like temperatures come and go, we're eyeing the Serita Dress ($458) in begonia or olive, featuring cutouts made to snatch waists. More into a two-piece ensemble? Add the Heather Knit Top ($218) and Hedda Knit Skirt ($258) to your cart.
Shop online here.
Staud
Sarah Staudinger and George Augusto co-founded the L.A.-based brand on the notion that fashion shouldn't just empower women, it should be accessible, too. Their pieces are inherently feminine with equal parts seductive and self-governing; and with cuts, colors, and textures that go against the grain in a way.
The Holiday '21 Collection is replete with dresses, bags, sandals, and more that'll elevate your holiday party experience to the next level. The Mini Ilana Dress ($325) in poinsettia features a self-tie bow collar that makes you the gift to the party. Gimme! We're also loving the Mini Rosy Dress ($495) paired with the Aimee Boot ($495) in black vegan leather. We'll be looking our best at Friendsgiving in the Wells Maxi Dress (preorder for $295) in cypress.
Expect to spend anywhere from $195 to $695 for dresses, $195 to $395 for bags, $495 to $695 for boots, and $350 to $395 for sandals and heels. Shop the Holiday '21 Collection here.
Misa
Misa's latest Fall Collection '21 could have just as aptly been named the "Misa Makes Us Feel Sexy Collection," because it exudes the label's core principle of effortless femininity, with elements ranging from flowy to eclectic to leather-like to textured.
The Jessa Dress ($390) is made of 100% poly chiffon and brings the bold with its green, red, and pink pattern. It's the type of dress we wouldn't mind wearing to two events (oh, yes we would). The Gordana Dress ($380) is a similar, longer version while the Lorena Dress ($350) features a split neck opening with petal string ties. We adore the pattern so much and each cut is equally as jaw-dropping as the others, so when it comes time to checkout, we're closing our eyes and randomly choosing one.
The collection ranges from $140 to $630 and features tops, bottoms, skirts, and most of all – holiday dresses. Shop online here.
Rezek Studio
From L.A.-based Rezek Studio by Ariel Rezek come disco-inspired silhouettes made right here in the City of Angels, including slinky V halter tops, flared '70s pants, and sexy corsets that'll stay gleaming on nights you party until an ungodly hour.
Choosing just one Razek Studio fit for the holidays is nearly impossible because naturally, we want them all. But for a maximum head-turning effect, we're going with the Mint Foxy Mini Dress (preorder for $295). It's made of rayon and viscose so it'll stay lightweight and breathable while you dance the night away, plus it satisfies our ferocious appetite for holiday glamour with its matching ostrich feather cuffs.
Shop online here.
The Great.
The Great. embodies most qualities we look for when shopping – comfort, quality, a feel-good backstory, and founders we'd hang out with. Founded in 2015 after founders Emily Current and Meritt Elliott experienced a string of successful ventures, projects, and awards, the brand's Holiday Collection has us wondering whether to continue adding avocado to our burrito bowls (probably not).
The Folklore Dress ($595) in dark navy with rose cross-stitch embroidery is one of our favorites, along with the Sterling Dress ($395) in army with a gold stamp. These two are made with 100% cotton and remind us that not all holiday parties mandate form-fitting dresses (because, food babies).
Expect to drop between $275 to $350 for tops, $375 to $495 for coats and cardigans, $395 to $595 for dresses, and $295 for skirts. Shop the Holiday Collection's 'Festive Edit' here.
Stone Cold Fox
Stone Cold Fox is what we want to wear to every wedding we attend (sorry in advance to the bride). Born in L.A. out of the mastermind alliance between designer and creative marketing director Cydney Morries and production manager and collection representative Dallas Wand, most of SCF's styles are made locally in Cali and packed by the founders themselves.
The Santa Fe Dress ($275) in champagne and the Sharp Gown ($368) in army green are two of our favorites (and many other people's by the looks of how few are in stock). The mini slip Santa Fe is made of 100% silk satin and features a square neckline and v-shape back with an adjustable waist tie. Total princess-meets-Lana Del Rey vibes. The Sharp Gown, on the other hand, is made of 100% silk and features a scoop neck and high back for angelic vibes. The Hyde Slip ($285), also worth a shoutout, is something we can see ourselves wearing during the holidays and well into spring and summer. Don't you just love L.A.?
Dresses range from $170 for sale pieces to $750 for custom pieces. Shop online here.