3 Festive (yet appropriate) Holiday Office Party Outfits

What to wear to a holiday office party? Yours, or your SO's, it doesn't matter - it's a terrifying question, really. Because it is just riddled with confusion and mystery. Tina is giving you your annual holiday office party dress code breakdown, and talking about the to-do's and the not to-do's. Because you can't afford to be a don't at this party.

Tina, here.

If I held a holiday office party for our team (which come to think of it I probs should) Barbara and her husband Greg would def get "best-dressed." A close second might be Deidre. But we don't want that going to her head. I'd ask our tech crew to show up in suits and ties just to mess with them (but I'd give them treats for their trouble). And our photographer would not be allowed to enter unless she had her bébé in tow. Dressed as an angel. What would I wear? Oh gosh I don't know. Maybe one of these outfits.

But first we must address these divisive questions. Cleavage? Legs? Sparkles? Hiiiiiigghhh heels? No. Maybe. Depends. No.

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Too sparkly on the left.

A plunging neckline is never, ever, ever appropriate for a work function no matter the venue or what you're celebrating. Not a in a bar, not a in a restaurant, not as a guest in a co-worker's home. I don't imagine any of you or your SO's work in a setting where plunging necklines are the standard dress code du jour. But this is not a friend's party, or an opportunity to "meet someone." It's your boss's party. You're an employee or ind. contractor or the wife of an employee or contractor. If you're the boss or boss's wife, yes, you are held to a higher standard. Sorry, it's just good taste to keep it classy for the company culture.

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A v-neck is fine. The all-over sequins is just too flashy for a "business" event. Please tell me you can see this. Trying to be center of attention with a "look at me" outfit is frowned upon in offices focused on building good teamwork, partnerships and round tables, which is kinda the trend in the profresh world. And if you're the SO grabbing attention, tsk tsk. This is not about you. Or making the wrong impression on the boss or team.

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Subtle shine is fine and festive! So what can you wear to a Holiday Office Party?

3 Festive and Fabulous Holiday Office Party Outfits (That Send The Right Message)

1. LBD, all dressed up

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It just never lets you down, the Little Black Dress.

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Sheer exposure is better than over-exposure. It's still "evening" but it's not PG-13. And you could have worn it to work that day with a blazer over it.

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Make that LBD special and holiday-ish with a fun and festive shoe.

2. Festive Skirt and Silk Blouse

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You probably have a fun little black pencil skirt or a-line skirt in your closet. Grab it, as long as it isn't too short, and pair it with a gorgeous silk blouse that you typically pair with your favorite jeans for a night out.

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A silk blouse tucked into a pencil skirt is so feminine, and you can make it feel like a party with the addition of layers of pearls and, again, fun shoes.

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When can you wear feather puff heels? During the holidays. And any other time you want to because you're fun like that.

3. Festive Dress Pants and Top

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Remember that time you bought those animal print pants, or the silk pants or jacquard pants and had no idea when you would wear them or what you would wear them to? This is your chance to parade them out in the open. (Insiders, shop similar pants and outfits to these in our latest Vault.)

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It's easier at an office event (even if it's at a nice hotel or restaurant) to wear something really statement-y on your bottom half than your top half, because anything next to your face says "look at me" and that's not what an office party is ever about. You know my caveat for wearing something kinda important: everything else needs to play a supporting role. Hence the neutral top and shoes.

So glad we've got all that straightened out. Now, cheers and congrats on another well-done Holiday Office Party in the books!

Insiders, don't miss your chance to shop these outfits in our latest Vault.

Merry, merry!

Tina

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