What to Wear to a Holiday Work Party

Holiday work parties are the perfect excuse to celebrate the season, connect with coworkers, and get dressed up – but we all know you need to keep it professional (both in terms of what you wear and how you act). I worked in Corporate America for 15 years before switching to blogging full-time, and my work parties ran the gamut from business casual to elevated cocktail. Now, I attend my husband’s work parties each year and love the excuse to dress up. (Although I’m thinking I should plan a holiday work party for my team since there are a few of us now!)

Finding the right balance between festive and work-appropriate can be tricky, but there are so many great options out there. I hope this post helps you find the perfect work holiday party dress or outfit, whether you’re doing in a Secret Santa exchange at the office or heading to a fancy venue with drinks, dinner, and dancing.

What to Wear to a Holiday Work Party: A Guide to Festive and Professional Outfits

Before shopping or rifling through your closet, check the invitation or ask the planning committee/HR about the dress code. Some office holiday parties are cocktail attire, while others may be more casual or even themed (like Ugly Christmas Sweaters, for example). Understanding the expectations will ensure you show up in an outfit that’s on-point and avoid any awkward fashion faux pas. 

Now, onto some ideas for different dress codes:

Dressy Holiday Work Party Outfit Ideas

Let’s say your office party this year is dressy, cocktail attire. Finding the perfect work holiday party dress can be a bit overwhelming since you’re aiming for professionalism and appropriateness while still shopping for party attire.

When in doubt, go for a classic dress with a festive twist. Here are a few tips:

• Go for seasonal colors: Jewel tones like emerald green, ruby red, and sapphire blue are always holiday favorites. Accents like gold, silver or pearls make a dress festive without being over the top.

• Keep it modest: What’s “modest” depends on your office’s culture and the venue, but when in doubt, don’t go too short or too low cut. If you’re wearing a short dress, consider pairing it with tights. Or, if you want to wear a short dress, opt for one that has sleeves to balance the look. A Christmas party dress, office-ready, is this velvet Elodie Dress from Tuckernuck. The length, sleeve options, and fit are modest, festive, and super flattering. It goes in and out of stock, so keep checking back over the next few days if you don’t see your size.

• Play with textures: Velvet, lace, and satin are all great options for a festive yet sophisticated look and if you purchase a dress in a simple, classic style, you can wear it for years to come (I promise no one will remember). I’ve rounded up affordable holiday cocktail dresses here – not all are work appropriate, but a few are.

This puff-sleeve bow embellished blazer is from Anthropologie, and the sequin skirt I’m wearing was from last year. However, this sequin flare maxi from Macy’s is so similar, and I also love the feather detail on this sequin midi.

If dresses aren’t your thing, here are a few other ideas:

• Statement Tops with Trousers: A lace or satin blouse paired with tailored black trousers is festive and polished. You could even wear this to the office during the day under a blazer and trade your accessories for the evening. (More on accessories below!)

The exact lace top I’m wearing is no longer carried, but I just purchased the Elodie Lace Blouse from Tuckernuck that gives the same chic, but feminine look. Or go for the Black Lace Adele Blouse if you want something a little more flirty and playful. I paired this top with a flattering pair of black FRAME jeans but you could also pair it with black trousers like these I got from Quince.

• Jumpsuits: A well-fitted jumpsuit in a luxe fabric like velvet can be a showstopper. Keep it sleek with simple accessories or play it up with shiny earrings and a fun clutch. 

• A velvet suit: I got a velvet suit last year, and I immediately thought it’d be great for a festive work party if you didn’t like to wear dresses. A velvet blazer like this one from Boden and matching velvet pants still scream “dressy and festive”, but it’s comfortable, polished, and a great alternative to a dress. (And the pants could be paired with a tee and white Vejas for a low-key holiday outfit, perhaps for a kid’s school party.)

• Skirts and Sweaters: A midi skirt (pleated, satin or even tulle) with a fitted turtleneck or a festive sweater is an elegant (and comfortable) look. Pair your skirt with pointy-toe heels or flats to keep it elevated and not too matronly or juvenile. I was 21 when I attended my very first work party, and I wore a velvet skirt and sweater paired with tights, and it’s a look I’d still wear almost 20 years later. 

Casual Holiday Work Party Outfits

If your work party is more casual or even themed (maybe tacky Christmas sweaters), you’re off the hook for dress shopping. Instead, opt for something similar to what you’d wear on a regular day of work, but make it festive.

• Wear seasonal colors: Even if you’re sticking to dark denim or work slacks, you can wear a festive-colored top or blazer.

• Tacky Christmas Sweaters: If your party has a Christmas Sweater theme, I have you covered. This blog post has a roundup of my favorite Fair Isle-inspired sweaters. Some are more tacky than others, while some feel like classic winter sweaters you could wear long after the holidays. If you want a cute ugly Christmas sweater, I’ve got you covered.

These are several Fair Isle sweaters I’m loving:

• Eggshell Fair Isle Sweater Edna Sweater from Tuckernuck (just bought it myself!)
• Fair Isle Ribbed Sweater from LOFT
• Fair Isle Cardigan from J.Crew
• Multi Lorrie Knitted Jumper from Tuckernuck

• Add accessories: Another easy way to take a casual work holiday party outfit to the next level is with fun, festive accessories. Even a simple pair of Christmas tree earrings like these festive icons from Anthropologie would work well with jeans and a sweater.

Holiday Work Party Accessories

Whether you’re dressing up for cocktail attire or keeping it casual at the office, festive accessories are a great way to elevate your office holiday party outfit without going overboard.

• Go Subtle: Especially if you’re dressing up! Choose subtle sparkles, like stud earrings or a delicate bracelet. I especially love bow earrings this time of year. As I mentioned above, if you’re sticking to a simple Christmas dress, then a pair of statement earrings is okay.

• Metallic: Add a festive touch with a metallic clutch or heels embellished with bows or jewels.

• Stay professional: Think about balance, e.g. platform heels are appropriate if they’re tasteful and red lips are classic if you keep the rest of your makeup simple.

Holiday Footwear

Comfort is key, especially if the office holiday party involves dancing or standing for long periods.

• Stick to heels or dressy flats that you’re comfortable walking in: Platform heels can be shockingly comfortable despite the height since the platform, in essence, makes the heel height lower. This pair of Natalia heels by Loeffler Randall is my favorite style for platform heels. They’re comfortable and a great investment since the style is timeless.

• Avoid stiletto heels if you’re unfamiliar with the venue: Uneven or slick surfaces can turn a fun night into an embarrassing event if you can’t walk straight (even if you haven’t had a drop of alcohol). If you really want to wear heels, I recommend the Hazel Pumps from Sam Edelman. I shared all of my favorite comfortable works shoes in this roundup.

• Opt for flats if needed: While I absolutely love heels, you can find festive ballet flats if you prefer something easier to walk in. 

• Don’t forget about kitten heels: Kitten heels have a short, slender heel (usually 1 to 2”) and are a great alternative to high heels. They add a touch of elegance and formality, perfect for a work party. My favorite kitten heels are these Brit heels by Sam Edelman (I’m wearing them in the velvet suit photos and black velvet dress pictures).

Staying warm 

Dressing up your dressy outfit can feel tricky, but investing in a few dressier layers will serve you well for years to come. 

• Outerlayers: Bring a tailored blazer or cardigan to layer over your dress or top. Here are more ideas of jackets to wear with dresses.

• Pashmina or Wraps: If your party is cocktail or black tie, a faux fur stole or wrap is not only gorgeous but practical, i.e., warm. It can work well even if the rest of your outfit is on the low-key end. Just treat it like the main accessory. I invested in a black fur jacket similar to this one a few years ago and wear it every year, and I am so glad I have it! See it on me here.

• A long coat: Particularly in winter-white – will pair well with lots of dressier looks. Here’s a roundup of the best winter coats.

Wrapping It Up

Choosing what to wear to a holiday work party is all about finding that sweet spot between professional and festive. But most of all, enjoy the party (and don’t get drunk). That’s never professional.

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