What to Wear to a Work Holiday Party
Finding what to wear to a work holiday party can be challenging. On the one hand, you want to uphold a tone of professionalism before your boss and co-workers, while on the other, you don’t want to dress like it was just another day at work. Knowing what outfits to pick for social gatherings could just be what you need to impress your boss and colleagues.
You can choose appropriate outfits for social work events based on the theme, venue, and season. Holiday parties outside of work hours may have a predetermined dress code. In any case, it is essential to dress comfortably while maintaining the general theme and dress code.
Table of Contents
1. Holiday-Themed Wear
Choose holiday-themed outfits if the company communicates the party theme to be fun and festive. They include festive-colored clothing in red, gold, white, or blue, holiday sweaters, and cute purses. Common pieces include:
- Festive accessories and jewelry
- Sparkly or floral dresses
- Funny but appropriate t-shirts and sweaters
With set holiday themes, companies let employees express their creativity. You can take the opportunity to impress your colleagues with your holiday-themed fashion pick.
2. Professional Attire
Maintaining a professional look can be ideal, especially if the holiday party takes place with clients or at your boss’s home. Professional wear allows you to interact with clients and employees while maintaining an official tone. It includes the following pieces:
- Blazer
- Tie or bowtie
- Two-piece suit
- Dress shoes
- Comfortable, professional heels
- Long-sleeved blouse
Incorporating tweed, plaid, and stripe patterns can also help maintain that professional look.
3. Casual Wear
Casual outfits at a venue, such as an office break room or bowling alley, are not only appropriate but also comfortable and presentable. You can comfortably move around with casual clothing as you mingle and play games with your co-workers. Casual clothing items usually include:
- Clean sneakers
- Polo shirt
- Button-down shirt
- Floral blouses
- Jeans
- Comfortable, closed shoes
4. Bold and Unique
You can wear bold, colorful, and unique outfits for the holiday work party if no specific dress code is required. You can easily channel your confidence and personality with an outfit that stands out. Some of the clothing items include:
- Monochrome skirts and pants
- Bright sweaters
- Colorful, fun party dresses, jackets, and blouses
- Floral shirts
- Chunky jewelry and ornaments
- Colorful tops
5. Keep it Simple
You can select a simple, visually appealing outfit if you are still unsure about what to wear to a holiday work party or if no theme is set. A simple, casual look is presentable and allows you to interact comfortably with other party attendees. For a simple style, you can put together the following pieces:
- Dress pants or jeans
- Clean sneakers
- Button-down shirt
- Comfortable heels or flats
- Polo shirts
- Flowy dresses
6. Sophisticated Outfits
Formal venues such as ballrooms and private party sections require a more sophisticated ensemble. You can select bold and colorful outfits for an elegant style to complete your sophisticated look. Darker colors such as navy blue, black, and burgundy are more common with holiday office parties. Effective pieces for this look include:
- Diamond and silver jewelry
- Fashionable belt
- Long-sleeved blouse or dress shirt
- Dress shoes
- Button vests
- Pencil skirts
7. Festive Velvet
The holiday season sees many stores restocking their velvet wear. You can take advantage by finding appropriate clothing for your holiday office parties. You can talk to the hosting supervisor if you need insights on what to wear to the holiday work party from your festive velvet collection. Velvet fabric pieces include:
- Blazers
- Suit jackets
- Dresses
- Professional heels and boots
- Blouses and dress shirts
8. Warm and Comfortable
If the holiday office party is held outdoors, keeping warm while comfortable should be ideal. You can still wear these warm outfits at simple, casual, or holiday-themed events. They include:
- Turtleneck dress with warm tights
- Turtleneck sweater
- Faux fur jacket or vest
- Jeans and belted jacket
Tips on What to Wear to a Holiday Work Party
1. Wear Clean, Wrinkle-Free Clothes
Decide on your outfit early before the holiday work party so you can get time to wash, iron, and prepare every piece. When it’s the day of the party, check yourself in the mirror to ensure there are no wrinkles or stains. It is essential to always maintain a professional tone even when the party is outside work hours.
2. Wear Proper Clothes for the Workplace
Your holiday office party outfit should be appropriate for work and the party. If the party has rules and a dress code, ensure your outfit choice is within bounds. If there is no dress code, your outfit should still maintain the professional tone you would prefer from your colleagues and supervisors.
3. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Finding the right shoes should be the first step to selecting a holiday office party outfit. Since you might have to stand or move around for long periods, finding comfortable shoes will make it easier.
4. Consider the Time and Venue of the Party
Office managers typically send party invites a week or two in advance so that you can have enough time to prepare. You can decide whether to wear a formal or casual outfit to match an event’s location and mood with prior information about the venue.
Conclusion
Finding what to wear to a holiday work party should be an opportunity to look stylish and professional while expressing your creative and fun personality. The perfect accessories, such as designer belts and jewelry, can uplift your look if matched with the right wear. Eventually, you should be able to exude confidence with your chosen outfit while remaining within the guidelines at the holiday work party.
