Your holiday party may be miles from the office or just next to your cubicle, either way, remember that you are still with the office crew. Your holiday office party will most likely have a fashion dress code – casual, semi-formal, business, formal, black tie, and so on – so find out the expected attire and use that as a guide.
How to Dress for Daytime Holiday Parties
For parties that take place during the work day – such as office lunches or end-of-day get-togethers – you’ll need to dress appropriately for work, but still incorporate a professionally festive tone into your outfit. The best outfits for these pseudo parties can be put together by sampling from your work wardrobe and mixing it up with a bit more flare and personal style. Take your classic tailored suit and swap the blouse for a silk camisole, pair an all-business pencil skirt with a silky blouse or give your blazer a rest and snatch up a fitted bolero or luxurious wrap.
What to Wear at an Evening Holiday Office Party
If your office is having a cocktail party or other dressy evening event, this is the perfect occasion to slip into a season-sensitive dress. Mid-summer florals, spring pastels, and light-weight linens are simply out of the question You're going to be inside, but your dress still has to be worn with winter in mind. More saturated colors, figure-flattering little black dresses, more luxurious fabrics, and less skimpiness are all traits of dresses ideal for the colder months.
Shift & Sheath Dresses
The shift dress is a classic that's sure to flatter your figure. Depending on your comfort level, this dress can fit to hug your shape or cascade elegantly over your curves.
Wrap Dresses
Wrap dresses are also an excellent curve-friendly option that can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the formality of your event.
Figure-Flattering Separates
Similar to the waist-emphasizing wrap dress, dresses with cinched-waist details - or separates like A-line skirts that create the same effect with waist-whittling details like belts or sashes - are another fabulous option for a cocktail party.
How to Accessorize for a Holiday Office Party
Dress Up an Outfit with Shoes
Give your practical flats some new height by slipping on a strappy sandal, a patent high heel, a dressy boot, or sleek pointed-toe or peep toe pump.
Add a Little Festive Glitter with Jewelry
Think dainty long necklaces, chandelier earrings, a metallic mesh sash or an over-sized cocktail ring - just not all at once. If you contain your outfit's personality to the extra pieces, rather than the basics, you're going to end up with a perfectly work-friendly look.
Trade Your Tote for a Smaller Purse
Downsize from your regular over-the-shoulder tote to a dainty hand bag. What's dangling from your wrist can either do one of two things: hide behind the curtain or stand front row center. If you want your outfit to do the talking, pick a solid-colored purse that's similar to what you're already wearing. Don't be afraid to play with interesting textures and finishes like velvet or metallics, but your purse should have clean, sleek lines and shouldn't be a distraction or "conversation piece", as the only conversations that will occur will happen once your back is turned or at the water cooler the next morning.
Johneen Manning - My skills and interests are broad and varied – a consequence of the fact that in my early 20s I couldn't figure out what I wanted to ...
