As much as I’d like to pretend that it’s still summer, the season’s come to a close once again, and now, it’s time to face the fact that the holidays are approaching at lightning speed. And if you want to be more prepared than I usually am when they come around, it’s pivotal that you not only get started on your gift shopping, but outfit shopping too. Fortunately for you (and me both), I just stumbled upon what’ll go down in the history books as 2023’s ultimate holiday dress, an LBD so perfect and versatile, there’s no reason I can think of for it not to go completely viral. 

The dress in question caught my eye this morning as I was scrolling through the latest drop from J.Crew, which is full of holiday-ready apparel, shoes, and accessories in fabrics like duchess satin, velvet, and tweed. A red, gold, silver, and black color palette really drives the theme home. But of all the hundreds of new arrivals I dug through, the item I fell hardest for was an off-the-shoulder, jersey-knit maxi dress with long sleeves and a body-hugging silhouette that could just as easily be worn to a lunch date with the right shoes and bag as it could a black-tie gala. And as an added bonus, the off-the-shoulder touch places it right at the top of both fall’s and winter’s trend lists, with everyone from Meghan Markle to Elsa Hosk donning the look and brands like Khaite, Helsa, The Row, Jacquemus, and Reformation all making it. 

Below, see and shop the dress that I’m predicting a major presence of come Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow. And while you’re at it, scroll through more of my favorite finds from J.Crew’s new collection

The perfect jacket for not-yet-coat-weather. 

Dark wash jeans are just so much more elegant than light-wash ones. 

All I’m thinking about is styling a skirt or dress underneath this. Bring on the double-dress trend. 

Hello, beautiful. 

Another perfect LBD for the approaching party season.

After seeing so much fringe on the S/S ’24 runways, I simply need this skirt. 

Your new everyday coat.

Cashmere, red, and ideal for layering—this vest is my holy grail. 

The sculpted silhouette and jewelry-like buttons put me over the edge. 

Um… I need.

Just easy.

If you’re bored of black blazers, may I suggest this two-tone tux-style instead?

The more red an item is, the better if you ask me. 

Blazer dresses are another Meghan Markle–approved silhouette. 

This coat goes way beyond chic.

A holiday essential. 

J.Crew’s iconic Edie bag just got the red treatment. 

Anything made in duchess satin has my name written all over it.