8 Festive Pieces from Walmart That Will Be My Go-To for Holiday Parties All Season Long (and They’re All Under $40)

Despite loving clothes and the whole process of curating a *look*, the holidays—and all.of.the.parties—require putting together a lot of different outfits, which honestly tires me out before the partying even starts.

I personally can never leave the house for a party in something I don’t absolutely love (or that’s not on-theme with the time of year), so to get ahead of any last-minute in-front-of-my-mirror meltdowns, I set out to find a few pieces to add to my wardrobe that I knew would become staples in my holiday party rotation and beyond (proud outfit-repeater here!).

My strategy was to find stylish pieces that felt festive enough for all my holiday celebrations but were also versatile enough to mix and match. The result? I settled on a well-rounded cart of trendy-yet-elegant dresses (and a skirt thrown in there, because why not), an eye-catching jumpsuit and a classic pair of trousers, two super-soft sweaters, and, of course, a fun pair of party shoes.

And the best part? I was able to find an honestly impressive array of stylish options all from Walmart, which means nothing was more than $40 at checkout. (That’s a major win, especially since I’m trying to save for my gift-giving budget.)

It’s time to make a fashion game plan, though, so let me take you through all the different holiday outfits I’m planning for my December celebration tour—from a dinner party with the girls to in-office cocktail parties to a few family-hosted gatherings. Happy holiday partying (and shopping), y’all.

Shop Holiday Fashion Staples

Scoop Party Cardigan — $34.00

I work from home normally, but I have some in-office trips planned for the end of the year, which means lots of at-work and post-work holiday celebrations—aka I need a look that can take me from day to night, and that still slays without question.

So, I’m pairing this rhinestone-studded cardigan with my new satin midi skirt I also found at Walmart, black tights, and loafers. And I’ll probably throw on a black or red headband for a preppy oomph to round out the ‘fit.

It’s truly the perfect piece for wanting to feel nice and put-together while still including a little bit of holiday edge and personality. (Yes, I did just find my new favorite cardigan, which is saying a lot because I have at least 10 sitting in my closet right now).

JSKUMAR Satin Asymmetrical Wrap Midi Skirt  — $11.00

I’ve had my eye on a midi skirt for a few months now, and I decided it was time to take the plunge just in time for some holiday gatherings with friends. While the vibe of our annual hometown hangout is usually come as you are—especially since we’re usually hanging at someone’s house—I always come overdressed. (You only see these people once a year, right?!)

My party fit for this evening will be this wrap satin skirt that I’ll pair with an oversized knit sweater, along with black boots and simple black bag, and of course a red lip. I love pairing elegant, chicer pieces (like this skirt) with more comfy, oversized ones for a holiday look that’s ideal for lots of eating, drinking, and laughing.

UVPLove Women's Wide-Leg High-Waist Trousers — $20.00

I’m also grabbing a pair of timeless wide-leg trousers that I can rock on chillier nights when I’m not feeling a skirt. These are festive enough to pair with my studded cardigan and a red lip—and classic enough to wear year-round with a white tee, a silky blouse, and everything in between.

Jacenvly Women's Chunky Platform Heels — $19.00

This year, I scored an invite to my family friends’ annual soiree—aka a slightly fancier function with a legit food set-up and not your average BYOB—and that meant I needed a look to match.

I’m opting for the LBD (little black dress) vibe because you literally can never go wrong, plus I have a sequined long-sleeve number in my closet that is the dress soulmate to these chunky black heels. And since the shoes are a moment on their own, I’m going simpler on the accessories with some studs, a clutch, and you guessed it: a swipe of cheerful lipstick.

Cue the dress soulmate to the chunky heels: I’m adding this wing-sleeved dress to my cart, because can you ever have enough LBDs? The slouchy fit and tie belt make it feel effortless, and the black sequins strike the right chord of eye-catching. I’ll wear it to the infamous soiree and keep it on deck for any last-minute, need-something-fancy plans.

Derek Heart Sleeveless V-Neck Surplice Jumpsuit — $23.00

On the topic of shimmer and sparkle, this. I am forever in love with jumpsuits (yes, even though they make bathroom breaks a little more tedious), so I’m adding a chic but seriously comfy one to my holiday rotation.

I’ll throw a classic blazer over my shoulders, but plan to slither it off as soon as the annual catching up turns to a dance party. *Adds Mariah Carey to the queue.*

Vonda Women's Long Sleeve Vintage Ruffle Hem Dress — $24.00

If there’s one piece that will work for every kind of formal-ish occasion—from a cocktail party with my boss to a festive dinner with my grandmother—it’s this ruffle-hem dress. It’s tasteful, but a statement, and it’s whimsical enough to wear any time of year. I’m opting for black (no surprises here), but I’m seriously considering snagging another in canary yellow for all my social events this summer.

Mnyycxen Women’s Oversize Turtleneck Sweater — $27.00

I’m not trying to pick favorites, but the holiday gathering I’m most looking forward to is a lowkey girls-only dinner party night to swap gifts, watch The Holiday, and eat all the seasonal-inspired food we can think up. Obviously, we’ll be taking plenty of group pictures and selfies to commemorate the night, which means I need a fit that delivers.

So, I’m planning on french-tucking this cozy oversized turtleneck into my favorite dark-wash jeans (or maybe my new green trousers), with my new pair of black heels that will no-doubt come off after I sit down. And I can’t help but add some admittedly-tacky-but-still-cute holiday earrings to top it all off. Holiday outfit planning? Officially complete.