What Should You Wear to Your Holiday Office Party?

This post was last updated in October 2022.

Here’s a fun question: What to wear to a holiday office party? Whether it’s for your holiday company party, your SO’s office party, or another holiday networking party, we have six ideas that are all great.

As a general rule, choose two of the categories below and mix them with regular work attire.If you’re not 100% sure that the cocktail outfit (or black tie!) is appropriate. A good tip: If the party is on a workday and all employees are invited (not just management types), get our recommendations here.

As always, I advise young business women to avoid what I would call a low-cut and “unexpected” skin (like cropped dresses). Even bare arms may not be suitable – know your office!) You should also be wary of anything that requires a special bra.

We’ve shared some of our top picks for your holiday office party below…

{related: our top tips holiday business etiquette}

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{related: here are some fancy but easy updos for the office or beyond}

festive blazer

THERE IS TOO MUCH festive blazers Velvet it’s for the holidays this year! This Eliza J one is almost always in stock and this emptyNYC one looks great for under $100.

I have always loved one festive jacket. Not only does it maintain maximum professionalism, but I often think the best way to dress for a holiday office party is a layered look: party jacket + statement necklace or party jacket + shiny business suit, for example. You can also use your festive blazer to extend the life of your weekend outfits and to wear things that are not normally suitable for work.

For example, something like a jumpsuit, a dense sequin top, or even a lace top that requires a leather skirt or strapless bra – all this looks great under a festive blazer.

You’d be surprised how often you wear it and how many years it will wear off – your own holiday parties, your SO’s holiday parties, obscure networking events, or even “table-to-dinner” events where you don’t really wear it. I don’t feel like wearing a dress or anything sparkly. Personally, I’ve always preferred a blazer build, but a sparkly cardigan can work here too.

{related: what to wear to a business cocktail party}

Polished Party Skirts

A party skirt is one of the easiest things to find and wear, but avoid spending too much money on it – it will be memorable and because this is your outfit, it will be hard to wear again after a year.

To hold hemline office-appropriate and keep in mind that the more stylish (and less office-appropriate) the skirt feels, the lighter your top and shoes should be. Note that some skirts cross the line between office and party – they’re less festive, but more versatile (and you can pair them with something else sparkly on top).

Some Latest Picks Of Party Skirts You Can Wear At Your Office Holiday Party

Below are some of our favorite polished party skirts from October 2022 – we avoided miniskirts first as they show too many legs, which is not suitable for every office party – but get to know yourself and your office. (As someone who’s only 5’4″, I find that many “mini” skirts are almost knee-length.)

{related: best semi formal wear for business events}

Selected Sequins, Lace and Leather

Sequins, lace and leather are often not suitable for the office – we talked specifically about lace in the office and leather skirts in the office before.

But when deciding what to wear to your office holiday party, you can break some of these rules, provided you don’t go out completely.

Example: A sweater with a few sequins on it, or even a sheer sequined camisole (worn with an opaque black camisole underneath) is especially good when paired with a festive blazer or fluffy cardigan.

But an all sequin tights or an all sequin dress… well… might be a bit too much for an office holiday party.

Sequins, Lace, Velvet, and Leather Are Some of Our Latest Favorites

Regardless of how it looks on the model, a) you shouldn’t wear a sheer top to an office party, and you probably shouldn’t wear a crop top or anything that exposes your tummy. Depending on the office environment, if your top is revealing most of your arms like a halter, you may want to bring a cardigan, shawl or shrug at your side.

{related: what not to wear to a black tie relationship for work}

Party Pants

Another great option: party pants. Paired with a regular workpiece like a button-down front or cashmere sweater (ooh, or this DvF ballerina sweater), party pants are celebratory and happy, but not too crazy. Look for velvet, jacquard, limited sequins – and tuxedo pants or strikingly wide, flowy trousers can also be great for such events.

For my $0.02, I would avoid any pants that make people wonder if they really see leather (like black lace upholstered in beige satin), and be wary of leather and too-tight leggings in general.

The Latest Choices for Festive But Professional Party Pants

In 2022, we’re seeing tons of sequins, velvet, and lace in party pants. There are so many leather pants for work that we don’t even include them in this roundup!

Work-appropriate corduroy pants can work here too!

{related: how to make a black tie on a budget}

Office Party Dresses and Overalls

For my money, this is the hardest to get right. Sometimes a bright dress or blouse feels festive, but at the party itself it feels like a snooze fest. Sometimes a lace dress can feel feminine and elegant, but other times it can feel like you’re dressed for a wedding when you take it a step further from what you would normally wear to work.

A few notes in general: Pay attention to both the length and the décolleté. I wouldn’t recommend a dress with bare shoulders (i.e. strapless) – wear it with something else like a cardigan or blazer, but don’t worry too much if you take that layer off.

Sometimes a party dress can be worn to work; sometimes this will be more difficult.

The Ultimate Choices for Jumpsuits and Party Dresses for Professional Settings

Some of our favorite overalls and party dresses for professional settings as of October 2022… colorful sheath dresses (great for graduate events or go for darker colors like navy blue).

{related: Where do you draw the line between wedding dress and office wear?}

From Table to Party: Cocktail Jewelry

True, statement necklaces aren’t as popular as they used to be—but I still say there’s nothing better for an office holiday party and no better way to instantly jazz up a regular business suit or the like. Add one more thing from this list and you’re golden.

More Holiday Party Accessories

As of October 2022, these are some of our latest favorite party shoes – also consider using shoe clips In some of your regular shoes if you’re on a budget!

{related: here’s our roundup of the best foldable flats}

How to Save on Holiday Party Clothes for Office Parties

A general note: Rent a Track It’s perfect for this type of purchase, especially if you’re going to more than one party in a few days. (Or hey, it’s the perfect excuse to schedule a date night or girls’ night out. don’t do that There are several parties.) Other great deals can be found at: NordstromPoshmark and more!

(Ask for $30 off first Rent a Track order? Request our reference code.)

{related: what to wear to a black tie dinner for a benefit}

Ladies, what are your favorite things to wear at office holiday parties? Have you seen (or fallen victim to) any fashion blunders about office holiday party outfits?

Stock photo via Pexels / cotton sister.

NB This post was originally written in 2015, but was significantly updated in October 2022.