What to Wear When You’re Spending The Holidays with His Parents

Whether you’ve just started dating or have been going steady for years, here’s what to wear to win over his family!

-Diana Denza

The holidays are quickly approaching, and many of us have splurged on gifts, downloaded enough recipes to fill a book, and sent out the standard glitter-adorned greeting cards. But for the ladies out there visiting their guys’ ‘rents this season, it can be hard to deck the halls when you’re desperately trying to figure out what to wear to score some major brownie points with his mom and pop.

Whether you’ve been going with your beau for years, or just scored the hottie of your dreams, (finally! No more dinners spent glaring at your cousin and her hubby playing tonsil hockey on the couch), clinical psychologist and relationship expert, Dr. Anne K. Gross has a few suggestions to get you through the season in style.

Get ready to make his parents your biggest fans!

Just starting a relationship

Your guy is great, but a few weeks of wining and dining shouldn’t mean you have to slip into an evening gown the first time you meet his parents. If he’s already including you in family functions, it means he’s really into you –so don’t be afraid to let your funky personality shine through!

“If you’ve been dating for three months or less, you should opt for an outfit that reflects your personality but will also impress his family. You never know, this meet might be the nudge he needs to really commit,” Gross explained.

Just don’t go too overboard. This isn’t Halloween. Gross advises women to stay away from “anything too low cut and hooker style heels, you should be able to wear that sexy mini, but don’t forget your opaque tights! This is his family, remember?”

1. BDG speckled raglan tunic ($49, urbanoutfitters.com)

2. Just Sway Yes skirt ($37.99, modcloth.com)

3. Opaque pantyhose ($14, americanapparel.com)

4. Green of the crop heel ($57.99, modcloth.com)

5. Feminine rocker bangles ($6.80, forever21.com)

You’re getting serious

If you’re both in it for the long haul, congrats! You’ll want to put your best foot forward for his family. Even if you’ve finger painted in sweats with his baby cousins a week ago, now’s the time to prove you really are the sophisticated lady his parents always dreamed their son would settle down with.

“If you’re in a serious relationship you want to put to rest any anxiety his parents harbor over his ability to make good choices,” Gross pointed out. “And nothing pleases parents more than knowing that you admire their son. So this is a good time to wear that birthday gift he gave you; whether it’s a turtleneck sweater or rope necklace.”

But don’t be afraid to throw in a little of your own unique flair. This is your holiday too, you know!

“Wear something that shows your creativity, a long flowing skirt with high boots, but not so over the top that they pay more attention to how you look than who you are. Go easy on the perfume and leave the excessive make-up for another time,” Gross explained. “Who knows, garnering his parents approval may lead him to finally pop the question!”

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6. Buckingham Palace long sleeve cream top ($51, lulus.com)

7. Dramatic hem skirt ($19.80, forever21.com)

8. Pointelle sweater tights ($9.50, charlotterusse.com)

9. Naughty monkey Superb boot ($129.99, zappos.com)

You’re engaged…whoo hoo!

You go, girl! Show off that sparkling ring with an outfit cooler than a winter morning without gloves. After all, you totally deserve it!

“Make sure your clothes reflect the celebratory occasion. This would be the perfect time to bring out your sleek black dress, classy heels, and choke collar,” Gross advised.

Oh, and make sure the groom-to-be looks just as dapper. “Convince him to trade in his jeans for a nice pair of pants,” Gross added.

But most of all have fun! You have his heart, and after one glance at the two of you, his family is going to adore the woman who makes him smile from ear to ear.

10. Michael Kors knit blouson dress ($89.50, neimanmarcus.com)

11. Glittery Mary Jane pump ($20, charlotterusse.com)

12. Badgley Mischka multi-strand pave disc necklace ($150, neimanmarcus.com)

Diana Denza is a regular contributor to BettyConfidential.