December comes around, and with it the same story: the same little black dress, spotted three times at the same party, the same sequins seen in every shop window. A holiday outfit should be noticed, not recognised.
At Guillaume Alexandre, every piece starts with a fabric that has already lived: curtains, satins, deadstock from great fashion houses. It is then made in a limited run, which means very few exist. Here are five looks for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or the end-of-year cocktail party, each with several ways to wear it.
Reading time: 7 min
In brief
- One statement piece per look: a sequin dress, a satin dress or a sculptural corset.
- Every outfit can be worn again after the holidays, with a shirt, a bomber or flat boots.
- In-stock pieces ship within 1–3 business days. Made-to-order pieces take 2–3 weeks: order before the end of November.
- Free shipping from €200 in France and the European Union.
Contents
- For New Year's Eve: the Rebecca sequin midi dress
- For an elegant dinner: the Caroline godet midi dress
- For a cocktail party: the Hannah corset dress
- For skipping the dress: the Grace corset and Tove pleated pants
- For the outfit everyone will talk about: the Sevda corset and Gracie pants
- Four rules for a successful holiday outfit
- Which holiday outfit for which occasion?
- Frequently asked questions about holiday outfits
- Where to try our holiday outfits in Paris
1. For New Year's Eve: the Rebecca sequin midi dress
The Rebecca dress is made for midnight. Fitted, with a V-neck and short puff sleeves, it is slit along one leg and draped at the hip: it moves with you all night and never gets in the way on the dance floor.
The midi length changes everything: it has the shine of an evening gown without the costume feel of a sequin mini. The V-neck and puff sleeves are adornment enough: keep your jewellery fine, or skip it altogether.
Stylist's tip: pair it with the Maya tights, trimmed with tulip leaves, for an unexpected contrast. For your arrival, the Cari orange hourglass coat sets the tone before you even take your coat off.
Wear it again: in January, throw the Elsa pleated bomber jacket over it and add flat boots for a gallery opening or a concert. A party dress worn only once isn't a good party dress.
2. For an elegant dinner: the Caroline godet midi dress
Cut from upcycled satin, the Caroline dress combines a fitted bodice with a full godet skirt and an asymmetric hem. Its crossed straps tie, and two deep pockets make it surprisingly practical at the table: your phone and lipstick go right in.
The satin catches the candlelight without ever overdoing it. It is the ideal dress for a family Christmas dinner, or any evening where you want to look elegant without being the most dressed-up person at the table.
Stylist's tip: wear your hair up to show off the crossed straps, and keep accessories minimal: the skirt does the talking.
For cold evenings: layer the Anna fitted long sleeve top underneath. Its wide boat neck shows between the crossed straps, and the dress carries you from December to February. Made in very small quantities.
3. For a cocktail party: the Hannah corset dress
The Hannah dress is cut from upcycled curtains. Short and fitted, it is pleated at the bust and skirt: a structured dress that needs nothing else. The upholstery fabric gives it a hold that no ordinary ready-to-wear fabric can match.
Stylist's tip: throw the Elsa pleated bomber jacket over your shoulders on the way there. The contrast between the bomber's volume and the dress's clean line does the rest. The Maya tights lengthen the leg and keep winter evenings warm.
For a daytime event: wear the Angelina puff sleeve shirt underneath. The classic collar and the sleeves showing turn the corset dress into an outfit for a lunch or a gallery opening.
4. For skipping the dress: the Grace corset and Tove pleated pants
Our best-selling piece. The Grace corset is cut from upcycled curtains, with a knotted strap you can attach any way you like: one corset, several ways to wear it.
With the Tove high-waisted pleated pants, it makes a holiday outfit that stays elegant and comfortable from dinner to the dance floor. The high waist of the pants meets the base of the corset and lengthens the silhouette. Only a few Tove pants remain.
The corset, three ways
- Over a shirt: the easiest way to wear a corset beyond a party. Layer the Grace corset over the Angèle heart print shirt or the Angelina shirt: the puff sleeves and collar show, while the corset shapes the waist. The look goes from the office to dinner.
- With a skirt: pair it with the Selena black slit midi skirt for a more dressed-up silhouette.
- With sleeves: the Charlotte corset comes with detachable sleeves. Sleeves on for dinner, off for the party.
Discover all our designs in the Corsets collection.
5. For the outfit everyone will talk about: the Sevda corset and Gracie pants
The Sevda sculptural corset is a shield: its bust is worked in spherical pleats. Paired with the Gracie paneled pants and their circular pleats, it creates a look conceived like a work of art. It is the outfit for guests who love being asked, "Where did you find that?"
Stylist's tip: let the corset speak. Hair up, little jewellery and a simple coat on top, like the Cari coat.
To soften it: wear the Sevda corset over a white shirt or the Angelina shirt. The sculptural pleats then become a piece you'll wear long after the holidays.
Good to know: the Sevda corset, Gracie pants and Maya tights are made to order in France in 2–3 weeks. To receive them before the holidays, order before the end of November.
Four rules for a successful holiday outfit
- One statement piece per look. A sculptural corset or a sequin dress speaks for itself: everything else supports it.
- Think about your coat. It is the first thing people see when you arrive, and the last when you leave.
- Choose a piece you'll wear again. A party dress should come back in January, with a shirt, a bomber or flat boots.
- Order early. Our pieces are made in limited runs: a sold-out size does not always come back. Shipping is free from €200 in France and the European Union.
Which holiday outfit for which occasion?
The five looks at a glance, to help you choose.
| Occasion | Key piece | Pair with | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve | Rebecca sequin dress | Maya tights, Cari coat | Ships in 1–3 days |
| Christmas dinner | Caroline satin dress | Anna top underneath | Ships in 1–3 days |
| Cocktail party | Hannah corset dress | Elsa bomber, Maya tights | Ships in 1–3 days |
| No dress | Grace corset | Tove pleated pants (last pieces) | Ships in 1–3 days |
| Statement look | Sevda corset | Gracie pants | Made to order, 2–3 weeks |
Frequently asked questions about holiday outfits
How do you wear a corset to a party without getting cold?
Wear it over a shirt: the Grace corset over the Angelina shirt keeps your arms covered and shapes the waist. The Charlotte corset also has detachable sleeves. On the way there, a fitted coat like the Cari keeps the silhouette.
What should I wear to a holiday party if I don't like dresses?
A corset and high-waisted pants. The Grace corset with the Tove pleated pants stays elegant and comfortable all night; the Sevda corset with the Gracie pants is the most striking version.
How can I wear a party dress again after the holidays?
Change what surrounds it. Wear the Rebecca dress in January with the Elsa bomber and flat boots; the Caroline dress carries through winter with the long-sleeved Anna top underneath.
When should I order to receive it before Christmas?
For in-stock pieces, allow 1–3 business days of preparation and 2–8 business days of delivery: order during the first week of December at the latest. For made-to-order pieces (Sevda corset, Gracie pants, Maya tights), order before the end of November.
Where to try our holiday outfits in Paris
Prefer to try before you choose? Our pieces are waiting for you at Konepa, 55 rue Condorcet in Paris. Find all our stockists, all our dresses and our corsets.
By Guillaume Aubagnac, designer of Guillaume Alexandre.