I Already Found My Christmas Dress, but These 8 Were Strong Contenders

As I shared in a previous story, I found the perfect Christmas dinner dress: The Merokeety’s Button-Front Sweater Dress, and it’s been further discounted to $34 on Amazon since I originally wrote about it. While I plan on picking up a few more colors of the flattering button-front sweater dress,t there were a few other styles I found along my search that were close contenders — eight, specifically, from Amazon and Nordstrom. They’re all festive but understated dresses you’ll get tons of wear out of, plus they’re comfy enough to wear through dinner and all under $100. I even purchased one of the runner-ups as a backup and loved it so much, I decided to keep it. Shop my favorite holiday dresses, below.

Shop 8 Classic Holiday Dresses

• Prettygarden Satin Mock-Neck Dress, $43 (Originally $54); amazon.com
• Pink Queen Turtleneck Oversized Sweater Dress, $41 (Originally $44); amazon.com
• Huhot Velvet Wrap Dress, $52; amazon.com
• Zesica Waffle-Knit Tie-Waist Sweater Dress, $26 with coupon (Originally $59); amazon.com
• Open Edit Off-the-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Maxi Dress, $89; nordstrom.com
• Topshop Twist Off-the-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Sweater Dress, $66 (Originally $102); nordstrom.com
• Topshop Sleeveless Ribbed Sweater Dress, $57 (Originally $85); nordstrom.com
• Naked Wardrobe Long-Sleeve Square-Neck Dress, $60 (Originally $86); nordstrom.com

Prettygarden Satin Mock-Neck Dress

I’m so indecisive, so I purchased Prettygarden’s Satin Mock-Neck Dress alongside Merokeety’s Button-Front Sweater Dress. It, too, hugs my figure in all the right places, and I love how sophisticated the mock cowl neckline is. The dress comes in 32 colors: red, green, black, white, and navy, plus sizes S through XXL. It has a roomy, asymmetrical bodice, button closure at the back of the neck,  and elastic seaming at the waist that flows into a close-fitting pencil skirt. The length hits a few inches above the ankle, and the satin fabric slips effortlessly across the skin.

Topshop Twist Off-the-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Sweater Dress

What I love the most about Topshop’s Twist Off-the-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Sweater Dress is that the twisted detail looks like a bow, which looks festive without being cliché. The dress comes in charcoal gray and sizes XS through L, with a hemline that falls to the ankle and has two knee-high side seam slits. It also features a warm, wool-like fabric that offers tons of stretch. I would pair this dress with leather knee-high boots and a pair of deep red tights for some visual interest.

Huhot Velvet Wrap Dress

When I think of holiday dinners, two types of fabrics come to mind: silky satins and plush velvets. Holiday colors are just so rich, and these fabrics translate that texture and shine the best — which is why Huhot’s Velvet Wrap Dress was a top contender as my holiday dress. It comes in five shades — two of which are rich red and green — along with black and blue in sizes S through XL. The dress features a V-neckline, close-fitting silhouette, fixed wrap bodice with ruched detailing, high-low hem, and a soft and stretchy fabric that offers room for you and your celebratory meal without feeling constricting.

Shop more of my under-$100 holiday dress picks from Nordstrom and Amazon, below.

Pink Queen Turtleneck Oversized Sweater Dress

Open Edit Off-the-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Maxi Dress

Naked Wardrobe Long-Sleeve Square-Neck Dress