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

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 ensemble, whether you’re just doing a dirty Santa exchange at the office or headed 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 formal, while others may be more casual or themed. Understanding the expectations will ensure you show up in an outfit that’s on-point and avoids 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 have a ton of affordable holiday cocktail dress linked in this blog post – not all are work appropriate, but a few are.

This puff sleeve bow lady jacket is from Anthropologie and the sequin midi skirt is by Ann Mashburn.

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!)

This lace top is from Tuckernuck and I paired it with a great pair of black FRAME jeans.

• 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 blazer and matching pants last week, and I immediately thought they’d be great for a festive work party if you didn’t like to wear dresses. This set still screams “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. Amazon also has a handful of cute “ugly” Christmas sweaters that I linked on my Storefront here.

This white and black Fair Isle sweater is from Pistola.

• Add accessories: Another easy to 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 from J.Crew Factory 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.

• Metalic: 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 Loefflar 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). 

• 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 Britt 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 chic cardigan to layer over your dress or top. 

• 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 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. 

Wrapping It Up

Picking an outfit for a holiday work party is all about striking the balance between professionalism and a festive, fun look. Remember, the goal is to enjoy the event, connect with coworkers, and celebrate the season in style. I hope you have a great holiday season!

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