Dress Up, Go Out! Your Guide To Festive Season Dressing In The City Is Here

‘Tis the season to be stylish

By Penelope Pelecas | 8th December 2023

The holiday season is well and truly upon us, meaning you probably have a lot of festive events to attend in the next coming weeks. Need help deciding on an outfit or two? The City has all your festive dressing covered!

Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dress from QueensPlaza or need to stock up on some last-minute jewellery pieces from Wintergarden, Queen Street Mall is where you’ll find the perfect outfit, no matter the occasion.

From long lunching with your besties to New Year’s Eve celebrations in The City, below we’ve pulled together the perfect guide to festive dressing – any excuse to get a new ‘fit, right?

Friendmas

Besties? Check. Riverfront location? Check. New outfit? Don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted! If friendmas with the girls looks like a long lunch at Opa Bar & Mezze on Eagle Street, then a chic yet comfortable outfit is what you’re after. Opt for something that is not only breathable (thanks Queensland!), but has plenty of room, so you can eat copious amounts of saganaki cheese and souvlaki. Pair with a statement earring like this one from Dinosaur Designs and you’re all sorted – happy lunching!

Novo Umbrella Heel $74.95, Uptown

Dissh Monty Cotton Bubble Dress $169.99, Wintergarden

Dinosaur Designs Wave Earring $520, Wintergarden

Office Christmas Party

You’ve made it to the end of year, so what better way to celebrate than with a very bougie and boozy Christmas party. Whether your team has planned rooftop drinks at Hibiscus Bar & Terrace or an intimate dinner at Persone in Brisbane Quarter, you can’t go wrong with a mini colourful number like this green dress from Oroton (their latest collection is party central!). Add a sleek heel and earring, and prepare to dance the night away!

David Jones Tony Bianco Bertie Court Shoe $199.95, QueensPlaza

Oroton Short Tie Back Dress $399, Wintergarden

Sheike Teardrop Earrings $29.95, Wintergarden

Christmas Day Lunch

If you’re anything like us, Christmas Day is usually pretty busy with family event after family event, so opting for something easy and breezy is key. We’d recommend opting for linen or light-weight cottons, and strappy, comfy sandals. PS, if you’re lunching in The City (the Christmas Day feast at Blackbird looks delish!), don’t forget to pop past King George Square and get a photo by the magnificent Christmas tree.

Jo Mercer Hendrix Flat Slide $199.95, Uptown

Seed Heritage Linen Scallop Mini Dress $199.95, Queen St

Country Road Statement Round Hoop Earring $69.95, Uptown

New Year’s Eve

Planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in The City? Feast on a lavish four-course banquet at Donna Chang or dance under the stars at Riverbar and Kitchen and see out the new year in style. And if you’re umming and ahhing about what to wear, we are obsessed with this sequin number by Rebecca Vallance (yes, they now have a store in QueensPlaza) – after all, NYE is the perfect time to make it shine! We’ve paired the dress with statement heels from Scanlan Theodore and a little frosting from Sarah & Sebastian.

Scanlan Theodore Polished Pointed Sandal $650, QueensPlaza

Rebecca Vallance Courtney Mini Dress $699, QueensPlaza

Sarah & Sebastian Liberty Ring $130, Edward St

Christmas Shopping in BNE

As organised as one may be, there are always a few last-minute bits and bobs to pick up in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and if you’re already heading into The City, why not make it an occasion and dress up too? Viktoria & Woods has a slew of stunning new arrivals, including this denim dress, which is perfect for shopping and seeing the sights of our beautiful River City. From magical shows to twilight markets and more, we’ve rounded up all the ways you can celebrate the festive season in The City here.