What to Wear to a Holiday Party and on New Year's Eve

In short: for the holiday season, choose one statement piece in a fabric that catches the light. For Christmas dinner, a flowing oriental evening dress is enough; for New Year's Eve, go for a ceremonial piece: an embroidered kaftan, a two-layer takchita or a lamé set. Favour deep shades (black and gold, burgundy, plum, bronze), one line of jewellery and handcrafted finishes. And order early: in December, delivery times make the decision.

Between family dinners, evenings with friends and the countdown to midnight, the holiday season brings plenty of occasions to dress up. The question comes back every December: what to wear to a holiday party, and above all on New Year's Eve? Here is our guide, built around real Selhyan pieces, handmade in Morocco, with the attention to detail that defines oriental fashion.

What to wear to a holiday party?

The rule fits in one sentence: one celebration, one statement piece. Rather than layering accessories, choose a garment that carries the whole outfit through its cut, fabric and embroidery, and keep everything else understated. How much sparkle depends on the moment:

What to wear for each occasion

• Christmas dinner with family: a flowing oriental evening dress in a deep shade, comfortable for a long evening at the table.
• Evening with friends: a set or a long dress, easy to wear and to accessorise.
• New Year's Eve: the ceremonial piece — an embroidered kaftan, a takchita or sequins — for a memorable entrance and midnight photos.
• Winter reception or wedding: a kaftan in a noble fabric, with restrained jewellery.

New Year's Eve outfit: kaftan or takchita?

New Year's Eve is the night to embrace the light. Both great Moroccan ceremonial pieces suit it naturally; it is all about silhouette and movement. Browse the full selection in our kaftans for guests.

The New Year's Eve kaftan: one piece, plenty of impact

A kaftan dresses you in a single gesture: wide sleeves, a waist defined by the belt, finishing at the neckline. For an elegant New Year's Eve, black and gold is a safe choice, like the black tulle kaftan with gold floral embroidery, whose gold-thread flowers stand out on the tulle, outlined by a traditional Moroccan sfifa. For more sparkle, the gold and burgundy beaded and sequin kaftan is fully embroidered with beads and sequins arranged in waves, in a gold-to-burgundy gradient that catches every light.

The takchita: two layers for a memorable entrance

A takchita layers an inner dress and an overdress: the silhouette gains depth and movement, ideal for a grand evening. The bronze takchita pairs a finely textured overdress with bronze highlights and a satin copper inner dress, with pink and yellow graphic trims; the inner dress and belt shown are included. The copper takchita with multicoloured stripes shares the same spirit, with braided orange, yellow and burgundy trims. To learn more about this piece, read what is a takchita.

Sequins for the countdown to midnight

Nothing catches New Year's lights like sequins. The multicoloured sequin kaftan creates a mosaic of pastel, green, pink and burgundy tones, with a V-neck outlined by a gold sfifa and aâkad buttons. For a softer look, the multicoloured wave sequin long dress, inspired by the gandoura, is worn loose without a belt, with a black neckline that structures the whole.

The oriental evening dress: effortless elegance

For Christmas dinner or a more intimate evening, the oriental evening dress remains the easiest piece to wear. The black mlifa long dress with Moroccan hooks, fully lined, has a fluid drape and a V-neck closed with Moroccan hooks: an oriental take on the little black dress, brought to life with a bold jewel. The plum long dress with golden details borrows the loose cut of the gandoura, with a bright golden neckline. Every cut is in the modern oriental dresses, and our guide how to dress for an evening party helps you decode the dress code.

The lamé set: the modern option

For a contemporary silhouette, a set is a stylish alternative. The purple metallic dress and abaya set pairs a mauve satin dress, finished with a sfifa at the neckline, with a reversible kimono abaya in sequinned lamé knit with copper, blue and silver highlights. The abaya adds movement as you arrive and comes off for dancing. More combinations await among the modern oriental sets.

Holiday colours and fabrics

Winter calls for deep, luminous shades: black and gold, burgundy, plum, bronze, emerald green. As for fabrics, choose those that play with candlelight: sequins, lamé, satin and brocade. The plum and silver brocade kaftan is a fine example, with its raised silver threads, lilac satin underdress and hand-worked sfifa. Find more models among the brocade kaftans, and discover what sets fine finishing apart in the details that make a Moroccan piece.

Jewellery and accessories: the right balance

A party outfit is finished with jewellery, with restraint. If the piece is already embroidered or sequinned, one line is enough: long earrings with a closed neckline, or a necklace with a V-neck, rarely both at full strength. A mdamma, the ornate belt, shapes the waist and lifts a plain piece. To go further, discover which jewellery to wear with a kaftan.

When should you order your holiday outfit?

In December, plan ahead. Delivery times vary by piece: order early to receive your outfit in time, and contact us with any delivery questions.

Some pieces are made to order in our workshop: their shipping time is shown on each product page. Check it before ordering for a specific date.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear on New Year's Eve?

A ceremonial piece that catches the light: an embroidered or sequinned kaftan, a two-layer takchita or a lamé set. Choose a deep shade (black and gold, burgundy, bronze) and restrained jewellery.

Can I wear a kaftan for Christmas or New Year's Eve?

Yes. The kaftan is a ceremonial outfit designed for big moments. For Christmas dinner, choose a fluid cut; for New Year's Eve, go for embroidery, beads or sequins.

Kaftan or takchita for New Year's Eve: which to choose?

A kaftan dresses you in a single piece, easy to wear all evening. A takchita layers an inner dress and an overdress, for more depth and movement at a grand party.

What colour should I wear for the holidays?

Deep, luminous shades lead the way: black and gold, burgundy, plum, bronze, emerald, along with metallic fabrics such as lamé, brocade and sequins.

When should I order an outfit for the holidays?

To receive your outfit in time, order early and contact us to find out delivery times to your country. For a made-to-order piece, the lead time is shown on its product page.

How do I avoid overdoing my party outfit?

One statement piece, one line of jewellery and a belt for structure: restraint is the key. Let the fabric and finishes, such as the sfifa or aâkad buttons, do the work.