A cool November breeze kick-started the holiday dinner party season and with it, a host of potential wardrobe dilemmas for intimate indoor events. Avoid them all, even as the temperature dips further, with our simple how-to for dressing your best at every at-home invite. Contrary to popular belief, dresses needn’t always be the fallback. While a sweeping maxi-length gown hits all the right notes for an Upper East Side fundraiser, a well-cut velvet pantsuit is likely far more impactful for a professional holiday-themed celebration at your boss’s Brooklyn Brownstone.

Whichever dinner-related scenarios are rapidly filling your inbox—we predict PTA gatherings, family get-togethers, and shared meals with friends feature heavily on the agenda—our dinner dressing guide decodes what to wear for any at home do, whether you’re fireside in the city or country. Oscar Wilde once quipped, “One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.” When it comes to dinner party dressing, we say, why choose?

The Holiday Fundraiser:

A sweeping maxi dress

A sweeping maxi dress in rich velvet or satin that is set apart by an elegant detail—be that puff sleeves, a keyhole neckline, or a well-placed halter neck—balances drama and comfort for at-home fundraisers. Bold earrings and a delicate clutch will complete the look. A decorative pair of flats, with a pointed or square toe, will keep your evening look grounded and avoid the social faux pas of denting your host’s polished floors. Switch up your flats for towering heels, and this perfectly put-together ensemble will work just as well at a gala as at a more intimate setting.

The Family Gathering:

A Chic Co-ord

Whether you’re heading home for an annual reunion, timed during the holidays, or a chance to introduce a significant other, family celebrations call for casual sophistication. Resist the urge to grab a pair of jeans and a sweater (appropriate as that may be), and step things up with an eye-catching co-ord instead. From neutral-hued stripes to subdued metallic prints or tactile velvet sets, this one-and-done solution is as relaxed as loungewear but altogether more sophisticated.

The Country Meetup:

A Statement Knit

Winter weekend getaway dinners are the perfect excuse for a statement knit. Whittle down your options and focus on sweaters spun from natural fibers, like cashmere and wool. Traditional country patterns, like diamonds, stripes, and Fair Isle designs, have long been considered a part of the city-to-country uniform. Updated this season in bright colors with warm undertones—muted pinks, browns, and soft blue-greys—they are just as appropriate during the daytime with jeans as in the evening with a circle skirt or pair of crisp, tailored pants. Layer one over a turtleneck or billowy printed shirt for added contrast and warmth.

The Work Sitdown:

A Polished Suit

When the invite to your boss’s home for the holiday dinner rolls in, it’s your cue to think strategically about your outfit game. Navigating professionalism in a non-business setting can be challenging, which is why meticulously tailored essentials cut from evening-ready fabrics are our go-to choice. Avoid primary colors and attention-grabbing prints. Instead, rely on sumptuous velvet or slick winter whites to quietly make your mark. An elevated suit is tasteful and professional without drawing attention beyond your pay grade. Plus, it’s inherently versatile—add a turtleneck and sneakers for more casual outings, or a camisole and heels for date night.

The Girls’ Gathering:

A Shift Dress

When it comes to dinner parties with friends, the dress code requires something to talk about, so bring elegance with a twist. This season’s shift dresses come decked out in sequins, lace, jacquard florals, or tonal leopard print—a conversation starter in every look. A print or decoration that reflects your personality, whether brave and extroverted or quiet and classic, will ensure your outfit shines. With modern comfort as the goal, low block heels, embellished flats, or even elevated sneakers in calf hair or leopard make viable footwear options.

The PTA Dinner:

A Decorative Blouse

Equal parts social and formal, the school PTA dinner usually calls for an elusive "smart-casual" uniform. If that leaves you flailing, call things to order with a professional yet elegant top. Think soft, silky blouses with fluid ties and elegant prints, too good for the mundanity of the office, but too conservative for a truly social event. Halterneck blouses with embellished or lace necklines also communicate, I’m entirely approachable, but also mean business. Pair yours with tailoredblack pants and kitten heels.

The Perfect Plus Ones:

Accessories

When your outfit leans restrained, as dinner party getups invariably do, accessories become the all-important finishing touch. Pearl embellishments dotted across bag handles or slim belts add a subtle touch of glamor, particularly to all-black ensembles, whether dresses or tailoring form the foundation. Crystal drop earrings and beaded brooches, meanwhile, will not only add interest to a cashmere knit, but will undoubtedly complement a holiday-themed tablescape. Flat pointed shoes, meanwhile, particularly a pair scattered in pretty gold studs, render heels entirely redundant.