Plus Size Holiday Dresses for Parties and Dinners

A plus size holiday dress needs what any party dress needs, plus a size range that actually reaches you. Every dress above goes to at least 3X, in velvet, sequins, swiss dot, a ruffle-sleeve maxi or a metallic maxi, and three of them list sleeves.

Here's how to match them to a Christmas party, a family dinner or New Year's Eve, then the tights, slip and shoes that finish them. For dresses in every size sorted by dress code, see holiday party dresses.

Plus size Christmas party dresses

TINSTREE's velvet dress is a stretch-velvet bodycon with ruching and a slit, in polyester and spandex, sizes Large to 4X-Large. Velvet looks festive on its own, without sequins, so this one suits a Christmas house party or a night out with friends. A fitted dress with a slit is more than most office parties ask for; what to wear to a work holiday party covers that one.

For a plus size holiday party dress with full sparkle, the RED DOT BOUTIQUE sequin dress has long sleeves, a wrapped V neck, waist ties and pockets, in sizes Medium to 8X. The ties let you set where the waist sits, and a skater skirt moves when you dance. It's hand wash only per the listing.

Plus size Christmas dresses for a family dinner

RWJ's swiss-dot maxi has a wrap V neck, lantern sleeves and an elastic waist, in sizes Large Plus to 3X-Large Plus. Swiss dot looks dressy without shine, which suits a plus size Christmas dress for dinner at someone's home or a holiday brunch. The elastic waist is kind to a long meal.

SCOMCHIC's dress has double-layer ruffle sleeves, in sizes Large Plus to 4X-Large Plus. The title calls it a cocktail dress, but the listing gives the length as maxi, so expect a long dress. Ruffle sleeves give a plain dress movement and detail without sequins, and a long hem suits a table where you'll be seated most of the night.

Plus size New Year's Eve dress ideas

New Year's Eve is the night for shine. The AOMEI dress is a metallic one-shoulder maxi with pleats, sleeveless and fitted, in sizes Small to 4X-Large. One bare shoulder and a metallic finish are enough on their own, so keep the jewelry to earrings. The listing says hand wash only, line dry.

The sequin skater dress works for a dancing night too, and the velvet bodycon for a dinner-then-drinks plan. Wear any of them with black tights and bring a coat you're happy to leave at a coat check. Our New Year's Eve outfits guide covers the rest of the night.

Finish the plus size holiday outfit: tights, a slip and shoes

The dress is only part of a plus size holiday outfit; tights, a slip and the right shoes make it comfortable from the first drink to the last train. Hanes Curves blackout tights are plus size and same-to-waist with a sheer toe, in two bands, 1X-2X and 3X-4X. Blackout tights are fully opaque, so a short hem or a slit feels covered and your legs stay warm.

The Vanity Fair full slip is nylon with lace trim, in sizes Small to 5X-Large, and the listing calls it anti-static. A slip lets a dress glide over tights instead of catching on them, which helps with swiss dot and knits.

IDIFU's IN2 pumps have a closed pointed toe on a low block heel, in sizes 5 to 12. A low block heel is the shoe you can still stand in at 11 p.m. For everyday winter dressing beyond the parties, see plus size winter outfits.

Sizing tips for plus size holiday dresses

Size labels change from brand to brand, even on this page. More fit guides are in Fit & Size.

• Use each listing's size chart, not your usual letter. The dresses here use L to 4X, Large Plus to 4X-Large Plus, S to 4X and M to 8X.
• Measure your bust, waist and hips with a soft tape, then compare with the chart.
• Check the closure. A zipper, like the velvet dress has, needs the waist measurement to match; pull-on styles and waist ties, like the sequin and ruffle-sleeve dresses, give more room between sizes.
• Order early enough to exchange before the party.