Holiday dress codes decoded

With the arrival of the holiday season, one thing is certain: Your mailbox (and in-box) will be piled high with invitation to everything from cocktails to office parties to Christmas dinners. So, now to make sense of the requested attire, especially when it has become so unexpected? Here is a list of some original dress codes—and their no-stress sartorial solutions.

Masquerade ball

BCBG Max Azria stone-embellished mask, bcbg.com

Alessandra Rich ribbon-sleeve silk crepe de Chine dress, net-a-porter.com; Giuseppe Zanotti Design drop stone metallic sandal, bergdorfgoodman.com

©Vogue

1 of 10 Courtesy of BCBG; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Another era

Tonya Hawkes Roxy box clutch, kirnazabete.com

Carven cotton-blend jersey dress, net-a-porter.com; Valentino Crystal-Tan-Go pump, bergdorfgoodman.com

2 of 10 Courtesy of Kirna Zabete; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Pajama party

Erickson Beamon Crystal Modern Moghul small drop earrings, barneys.com

Piamita Isabella blouse, farfetch.com; Piamita Nan trouser, farfetch.com

3 of 10 Courtesy of Barneys New York; Courtesy of farfetch.com (2)

Naughty or nice

Tabitha Simmons patent leather Mary Jane buckle ankle boots, saksfifthavenue.com

BCBG Max Azria pointed-stone headband, bcbg.com; Mulberry paneled leather and lace dress, net-a-porter.com

4 of 10 Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue; Courtesy of BCBG; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Dress to impress

B Brian Atwood Lesina strappy sandal, shopbop.com

Michael van der Ham lace-appliqued textured silk-blend chiffon dress, net-a-porter.com; Anndra Neen quilted chain satchel, kirnazabete.com

5 of 10 Courtesy of shopbop.com; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of Kirna Zabete

Modern minimalism

square clutch, satin shift dress, mirror leather pump

Magid metal weave square clutch, ebags.com

Topshop Origami satin shift dress, topshop.com; Jimmy Choo Abel Vintage Mirror leather pump, bergdorfgoodman.com

6 of 10 Courtesy of ebags.com; Courtesy of Topshop; Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Iconic evening

BLK DNM tuxedo jacket, matchesfashion.com

Acne Lee tuxedo trousers, $matchesfashion.com; Manolo Blahnik BB suede pump, neimanmarcus.com

7 of 10 Courtesy of matchesfashion.com (2); Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Clever cocktail

Proenza Schouler peacock-embroidered scuba-jersey sweatshirt, net-a-porter.com

Topshop quilted triangle skirt by Boutique, topshop.com; Narciso Rodriguez two-tone ankle boot, barneys.com

8 of 10 Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of Topshop; Courtesy of Barneys New York

Winter wonderland

Knit sweater, maxi skirt, skull-clasp clutch

Yigal Azrouel Duo knit sweater, farfetch.com

Jil Sander A-line maxi skirt, farfetch.com; Alexander McQueen Mongolian shearling skull-clasp clutch, bergdorfgoodman.com

9 of 10 Courtesy of farfetch.com (2); Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman