What to Wear to the Work Christmas Party
Written by Artemis Clo
Knowing what to wear to the work Christmas party is a small puzzle every December: festive, but not fancy dress; smart, but not as if you came straight from a board meeting. Here is how to get it right without spending the whole of Friday afternoon worrying about it.
What to Wear to the Work Christmas Party: Read the Room First
The invitation tells you more than you think. A lunchtime gathering at the local pub calls for something quite different from a black tie dinner at a hotel. Look at three things: the venue, the time and any dress code mentioned. If it says "smart casual", our guide to the smart casual dress code explains what that usually means in practice.
If there is no clue at all, ask a colleague who went last year. Aim to be slightly smarter than the average and you will never feel underdressed. And remember who will be there: your manager, the new starter, the finance team. Festive and elegant is the goal, and a sequinned midi skirt sits right in the middle of it. A tulle midi skirt with star sequins is party-ready with nothing more than a plain jumper. The skirts have plenty of options for both moods.
Skirts to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Tulle Midi Skirt with Star Sequins
Satin-Look Fishtail Midi Skirt
Tiered Tulle Midi Skirt with Elastic Waist
A Little Sparkle, Placed Well
The easiest rule for party dressing: one statement piece, everything else quiet. A sequin skirt with a plain knit. A shiny top with simple black trousers. A velvet jacket over a dress you already wear to weddings.
Lay the outfit on the bed the night before and look at it as a whole. If two pieces are competing for attention, swap one for something plainer. A satin cowl neck blouse with a shirt collar gives you sheen without any sequins at all, and it looks just as good with work trousers in January. Browse the blouses for softer, dressier options you will reach for long after the decorations come down.
A word on texture: velvet, satin-look finishes and metallics read as festive even in dark colours, so you do not need bright red to look Christmassy. Navy, emerald, plum and black all look wonderful under fairy lights.
Easy Outfits That Go From Desk to Dinner
Most office parties start straight after work, so the best outfit is one that survives the day. A few combinations that make the switch with minimal fuss:
- A dressy two-piece. A chiffon top and wide-leg trouser set looks polished at your desk and festive with heels and earrings. The co-ords take all the thinking out of matching.
- A fishtail or pleated midi skirt with a fine knit by day, swapped for a silky top in the evening. A satin-look fishtail midi skirt does both jobs.
- A dress with interesting sleeves, which feels special without needing any jewellery. Sheer or embroidered sleeves work particularly well, and the dresses are worth a browse with that in mind.
Keep a small pouch in your bag with lipstick, earrings and a hairbrush. Five minutes and you have changed your evening without changing your clothes.
If the party is a lunch rather than an evening, scale everything down by one notch. Keep the sequin skirt but pair it with a chunky knit and flat boots, or wear your favourite dress with a festive brooch and a coloured tight. Daylight is less forgiving of shine than candlelight, so a single sparkly detail is usually plenty before dark.
Shoes and Layers for a Long Night
A Christmas party is a long evening on your feet: standing at the bar, queueing for the buffet, possibly being persuaded onto the dance floor. Choose shoes you have worn before and know you can stand in for hours. A block heel or a smart, low boot gives you height without counting the minutes until you can sit down.
Think about the journey home too. December evenings are cold, and a party dress under a parka loses some of its magic. A smart wool-look coat or a long blazer keeps the outfit together from the office door to the taxi. If you are heading out early to shop beforehand, our guide to dressing for a Christmas market covers warm layers that still look festive.
Office Christmas Party Dressing, Sensibly Done
A few last pointers. Skip anything you would worry about if a photo turned up on the office noticeboard on Monday. Choose a neckline and a hem you will not be adjusting all night. And dress for yourself rather than the occasion you imagine everyone else is attending. The best work Christmas party outfit is the one you forget you are wearing, because you are too busy enjoying the evening.
Next, from our blouses
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Satin Cowl Neck Blouse with Shirt Collar
Notch Neck Blouse with Petal Sleeves
Ruffle Sleeve Notch Neck Blouse
Your questions, answered
Can I wear trousers to a Christmas party?
Absolutely. Wide-leg or palazzo trousers with a dressy top look every bit as festive as a dress, and they are warmer on the walk home. Add a little shine through the top, the shoes or your jewellery and you will look dressed for the occasion.
Is a sequin dress too much for an office party?
It depends on the venue and your workplace. At a hotel dinner or a drinks reception it is often perfect. At a lunchtime pub party, a sequin skirt or top with something plain is usually the better balance.
Should I wear a Christmas jumper to the work party?
Only if the invitation asks for one or your workplace has made it a tradition. Otherwise, a fine knit with a little metallic thread or a velvet trim gives a festive nod without the novelty. If you do go full reindeer, wear it with smart trousers so the joke stays on the jumper.
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