What to wear to an office party
Dress one level above your normal workday: a smart dress or a blazer with a good shirt, in a festive colour or with one sparkly detail. Keep the neckline, hem and fit work-friendly, since you will see everyone again on Monday.
Three outfits that work
Green dress, black blazer, block heels
- dark green knee-length dress
- black blazer to wear over it
- black low block heels
- small gold bag
A dress with a blazer is festive and still right for work, and block heels keep you steady on a long evening.
Navy blazer, burgundy shirt, charcoal trousers
- navy blazer
- burgundy shirt or fine knit
- charcoal trousers
- black leather shoes
A burgundy shirt under a navy blazer adds colour without losing the work feel, and leather shoes keep it tidy.
Burgundy long dress, blazer and hijab
- burgundy long dress
- black longline blazer
- champagne hijab
- black flat shoes
A long dress with a blazer is elegant and covered, and the colour gives a festive note without sparkle.
By weather
| Hot22° and up | Light fabrics, a blazer you can take off and breathable shoes if the party is in a warm place. |
|---|---|
| Mild10° to 21° | Dress or shirt with a blazer, and a coat for the journey. |
| ColdBelow 10° | A warm coat, scarf and boots for the journey, and your party shoes in a bag. |
Do and don’t
- Check the invitation for dress code and venue
- Add one festive detail, such as colour or jewellery
- Wear shoes you can stand in for several hours
- Keep the look polished enough to be seen at work next day
- Wear anything too short, too low or too tight
- Wear a novelty jumper unless the party is themed for it
- Wear heels you cannot walk in
- Change into a costume the invitation did not ask for
Check the night before
- Read the invitation for dress code, theme and location
- Try the whole outfit, sitting down
- Check the route home and the last train
- Pack a small bag with phone, card and mints
- Plan to leave when you are ready, not when it ends
Questions people ask
What should I wear to an office Christmas party?
A smart dress or blazer with a good shirt or knit, in a festive colour such as green, burgundy or navy, with one sparkly detail. Keep it work-appropriate.
Can I wear jeans to an office party?
Only if your office wears jeans daily and the invitation is casual. Dark jeans with a smart top and blazer are safest.
Is it okay to wear a Christmas jumper to an office party?
Only if the party is themed or colleagues say so. A neat knit in a festive colour is a safer choice.
How dressy should I be at an office party?
One level above your normal day. If your office is business casual, go for smart; avoid club wear and costumes.
Pick Office party in FeinLens and see what you already own
FeinLens builds complete outfits for this occasion from photos of your own clothes, dressed for the forecast where you’ll be.
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