December means party season. Though it’s fun and festive, it can also be nerve racking because you never know what to wear. Some invites call for formal, while others are dressy casual or maybe it’s a cocktail affair. Either way, decoding party dress codes can be tough!

That’s why I stopped by Essence Live and hosted a segment on what to wear for any holiday party.

My models rocked looks from Boohoo, Macy’s and Eloquii and I went with a beaded sweetheart neckline dress I scored from the thrift shop for $1. Yup, just 1 buck thanks to the Housing Works Buy the Bag sale. This dress has been in my closet for years and I even wore it on a previous holiday segment for the Nate Berkus Show and it was also my New Year’s Eve dress two years ago. Safe to say I’m getting my money’s worth.

During the segment, each model represented a different dress code category: dressy casual, cocktail, festive and formal. These dress codes can be so difficult to decipher, but I broke it down with fun styling tip.

For dressy casual, it was all about a look that was comfortable, with a hit of glam and texture, thanks to the faux fur collar and jacket.

If your party calls for a festive dress code, this is the time to go all out. Think glitz, bright colors, prints and of course sequins. This Eloquii gold sequin wrap dress is so amazing it’s currently only available in one size but you can sign up to be alerted when other sizes are back in stock.

 A good cocktail party is a must for the holiday season. And while you might naturally think to choose a cocktail dress, I chose a Boohoo off the shoulder jumpsuit. Jumpsuits can be just as chic as a LBD. And this one is just $35. If you plan to buy this beauty, go up about two sizes, she runs pretty small.

And finally, a formal holiday party means having a glamorous moment and long dress. This Lauren Ralph Lauren one shoulder gown was perfect. You want to be classy, but you can still whip out a modest slit, show a little shoulder and even have a cape. And the ruching at the bodice is forgiving for all body types.

Be sure to watch the video below for even more details on the items as well as tips for what accessories to pair with each. And what do you do if your holiday party invite doesn’t mention a dress code? Well, I’m sharing a few ways to determine what to wear.