Socializing with your boss on a Friday night, watching a co-worker get sloshed on eggnog, and wondering if anyone will notice you are double-dipping at the buffet can make company holiday parties stressful. But they can also be a lot of fun.
Knowing you look fabulous in the perfect Christmas party dress can help ease your stress when you’re wracking your brain trying to make small talk. Whether your work party is a large, formal affair, a small, potluck office get-together, or something in between, here are a few ideas for what to wear to a company holiday party.
1. A Festive Sweater Dress
This pretty sweaterdress is perfect for the holiday work get-together that takes place during your lunch break or just after work for an hour before you go home. It’s classic enough to wear all day at work, but the gorgeous cranberry color and ruffle sleeves and hem make it festive enough to say holiday season.
2. Anything Red or…
….Green
When in doubt, a silky blouse in red or green is perfect to inject a little ho ho ho into your workplace. Wear it with a black skirt or dress pants to look festive but professional. Keep your accessories classic, streamlined and polished. It’s still business, after all.
3. Luxurious Fabric and Shine
An easy way to add a little razzle day to a casual office party is by wearing a classic piece that incorporates some sparkle. For example, I’ve teamed up this lovely gray cable knit sweater with not just a black pencil skirt but a sparkly black pencil skirt to add some holiday shine. These sleek, pointy gray leather booties add a professional, cool touch, and this gorgeous green suede back is fabulously festive! Add a pair of cute earrings, and you have a glam, office-ready holiday look.
P.S. Not only is this festive for holiday parties at work hours, but it would also look chic at neighborhood holiday parties too.
4. Cropped, Black, Flowy Pants
Some company holiday get-togethers involve a sit-down dinner at a fancy restaurant that calls for dressy. Striking the right note when the dress code is ‘Dressy’ can be a challenge. You want to wear something more special than every day but without being too over-the-top.
One idea is a pair of flowy black cropped pants worn with a silky blouse or luxe velvet top. This stunning velvet wrap top looks party-ready paired with these glam culottes. Worn with a pair of sexy pair of pumps, this is a very chic look. Don’t forget a pair of gold, dangly earrings to add some sparkle and shine.
5. The Classic Cocktail Dress
For a cocktail party or big, glitzy bash, you can never go wrong with a little black dress. This classic style sheath with its sheer lace neckline is a little bit sexy without letting everything all hangout. Always remember it’s still a work function and to err on the side of conservative. Keep your look simple, classy, and chic. This dress would be a good choice.
6. An Elegant Velvet Dress
When your company party is being billed as a formal event, then a velvet dress is sophisticated and not at all flashy. There are many velvet dresses in stores this Christmas, but I think some of the most beautiful and majestic looking are green velvet dresses. Have a look at these I have linked and see if you don’t agree?
What will you be wearing to your holiday party?
Tags: Holiday Party Dresses
I have a really lovely black dress with silver sparkle built in but it is sleeveless. It would be great for the company holiday party but it is December. If I got a Calvin Klein black faux fur shrug which looks awesome with it, is it appropriate to take the shrug off inside leaving me at a party with a basically sleeveless dress in winter, or is it appropriate to wear the shrug the entire time leaving it open in the front so the dress and jewelry shows? Thanks so much.
Hi Jeanine, It really depends how heavy the shrug is. If it looks more like an outside coverup then it will be hot and look funny, but if it is lightweight and looks awesome as you say it could work left open. Why don’t you show it to a few friends and see what they think?
I love all the ideas especially the red velvet wrap top. Any ideas on where I could find one ?
Hi Sarah, That red one sold out, but I bet more will follow so I will keep my eyes open for that. Here is another red one I found:https://rstyle.me/+oOVi-x9L8T55c56DPCFCjg as well as a black one:https://rstyle.me/+arR80zPQVP3oGIg9bTMwsQ and a pink one:https://rstyle.me/+WBtR-oBvl6Hkl1YQvITXPQ There’s also this short sleeved one in green which is cute:https://rstyle.me/+WBtR-oBvl6Hkl1YQvITXPQ If the red comes available again. I will post it here. Cheers, Deb
Thank you! I happened to be helping a friend try to find “what to wear to a husbands corporate Christmas celebration weekend”.
We are both at the age were our clothing doesn’t fit our boobs have gotten HUGE, no matter how hard we work out we still have a gut, yes I wear two pair of shaping garments under my work clothes. You posted clothes that we both could envision wearing. Thank you!! Is there anyway to be able to see were the various items can be purchased?
Again, Thank you you truly found your calling! God Bless!
Thanks V, I’m so glad you like these selections. Do you see the little photos below each collage. Click on those to go directly to the store to buy. If you have a problem, just let me know. Thanks!
I love the velvet wrap top. Thank you!
It happens to be winter here and wearing bare legs is not appropriate, so do I wear nude hose or black hose with a fuschia dress to a Christmas dinner. I have beige and black heels. Thank you and there is nothing on any web sites for dressing in the winter.
Hi Cindy, You’ve got fuchsia, beige and back and beige going on. I’d stick to ultra sheer nude, so the focus is on your dress. Have fun! Cheers, Deborah
Everything looks great. Although, my figure would look pudgy in the red sleeveless top or the straight pants. Thanks for showing options for all kinds of figures! The last purple dress, the one with the sleeves, would be my choice.
I would love to see dressy clothes (not just pants, but dresses and skirts, too) shown with flats. I can no longer wear heels, not even kitten heels, so I am stuck with no heels. Please help those of us with bad feet!
Absolutely love this post! Great style boards make it so easy to pull a look together. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a 45 yr old. going to a holiday party at a Cleveland Nightclub. My dress is gold on top black just above the knee skirt. I only have black open toe shoes. Is that ok this time of year? or do I need closed toe heel with black tights.
Hi Barb, The black tights should look fine with the open toe shoe…however you might also want to try a sheer black hose and see which one you like the best! Have fun, you dress sounds wonderful!!!
I totally agree with Deborah on the sheer black hose. It’s an inexpensive way to add sophistication (and sexiness) to your dress and will look less heavy and utilitarian than a solid tight.