The best office party outfits

Are you looking for the best office party outfits? Perhaps you’re thinking about what to wear to a work Christmas party? It can be a bit of a conundrum. You want to look stylish and glamorous, just as you would for any other party. On the other hand, you also need to consider what is office appropriate. It’s a bit of a gray area. That’s why this article will help you navigate that gray area between professional and party with office party outfits inspiration.

What to consider when putting your office party outfits together

Depending on how relaxed your office is, it may be that you really don’t have to think any differently at all about your party attire. However, in general, you probably want to think about work appropriate shapes and lengths in party appropriate materials.

Here are a few things to consider when thanking about what to wear to a Christmas party.

1. Check the dress code for your office party event

Your office party may be a very informal affair. Perhaps a quick get together at the restaurant or bar at the end of the road. In which case, you’ll have plenty of freedom when it comes to what to wear to a work Christmas party.

But if it is a bigger event, it’s likely that you have an invitation with a dress code. Pay attention to which of the three main categories your party falls into:

• smart-casual:
• semi-formal or cocktail,
• and formal or black tie.

Then plan your outfit accordingly.

You’ll find ideas for each of the three categories if you read on.

Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above (read her style interview here) shows off an outfit that would be ideal for a smart-casual get together.

Steal her look with this similar jumpsuit, blazer, pumps and sling bag.

2. Hemlines and decolletage

While you’re at an office party, you still have to remain professional. After all, you’ll see your colleagues at work at your next meeting. You probably don’t want to wear a v-neck which is very low, or hemlines that are very high.

3. time of day

The time of day is likely to make a big difference to what you wear. If you’re heading out for lunch, you’ll probably be dressed more casually than if you’re going to an evening event.

Abi @stealmystyle40 above shows off a look that would be perfect for lunch or a semi-casual dinner event. You can see that you can wear a material like leather and smarten it up with a blazer.

Get her look with this similar blazer (another option here), shirt, leather pants, pumps and handbag (another option here)

office party outfits

Let’s take a look at some specific outfits that you could wear for a smart-casual through to a formal black-tie office party.

1. Casual / Smart-Casual office party event

First, smart-casual. If your invitation says “smart-casual” then you’ll want to think about combining tailored business wear with elements of more casual attire. So, you might want to wear a blazer with jeans or a pencil skirt with a sweater, for example. However, you can certainly go for a bit more glamour too and add some bling too.

Jeans and a blazer

Wearing your blazer with jeans is the perfect way to elevate your denim to partywear. Look out for jeans in a dark shade such as black or dark blue. A tuxedo style blazer is perfect to combine the look of eveningwear and business attire. Add heels, a clutch bag and statement jewelry.

You can find more inspiration in this article on how to wear jeans for work and still look professional.

Zadig & Voltaire Smoking Jacket – KOBI HALPERIN Mila Sleeveless Stretch Silk Blouse – PAIGE Manhattan High Waist Bootcut Jeans – J. Reneé Desdemona Pointed Toe Pump – Olga Berg Matilda Velvet Clutch – Alexis Bittar Twisted Statement Collar Necklace – Karine Sultan Drop Earrings

satin top and skirt

While you might want to keep the shapes of your outfit relatively modest, you can add glam by choosing luxurious materials. The satin top (below) shows off one shoulder, while the skirt is a good mid-length for a work event. If you’re going to a smart-casual event, you can think about wearing boots rather than shoes.

ASTR the Label One-Shoulder Satin Long Sleeve Top – Vince Raw Edge Paneled Satin Slip Skirt – Nordstrom Damara Pointed Toe Bootie – HOUSE OF WANT Chill Vegan Leather Frame Clutch – Weinuo Sterling Silver Post Hoop Earrings 

Wide leg pants and a special sweater

Another idea if you prefer to wear pants is to choose a wide-leg pair. Wide-leg pants tend to look more glamorous than their slimmer counterparts. Add a sweater in a special shape, color or material.

Open Edit Cutout Rib Sweater – Ted Baker London Eliziie Wide Leg Trousers – NINE WEST Pruce Heeled Sandal – HOUSE OF WANT Chill Vegan Leather Frame Clutch – Weinuo Sterling Silver Post Hoop Earrings 

Cathy @themiddlepageblog (read her style interview here) shows how you could wear jeans and add a blazer for a smart-casual lunch party.

Check out this tweed blazer (other options here and here) that you can wear with this similar pair of jeans (another option here), booties, bag, necklace and sunglasses.

2. Semi-Formal / Cocktail

Now, onto semi-formal or cocktail attire. Dress in relatively formal clothing, but not super formal. It’s an in-between place sitting between semi-casual and black tie. So, you can, of course, wear a cocktail dress. But you could also wear smart pants or a jumpsuit.

belted blazer and sequin pants

You’ve already seen one blazer idea in the semi-formal outfits. But the blazer below is even more special as it comes in a satin material. Sequin pants are the perfect alternative to a dress.

PAIGE Havenn Tie Waist Satin Blazer – FRAME The Standard Women’s Stretch Silk Button-Up Shirt – Anne Klein Linear Shine Sequin Wide Leg Pants – Steve Madden Krissy Faux Leather Clutch – Deepa Gurnani Jody Beaded Tassel Earrings

sequin dress

Now for a cocktail party classic – the cocktail dress, of course. The little black dress (below) has a classic look but with a glamorous twist as it has sequin sleeves which are the perfect way to cover your upper arms.

Eliza J Sequin Long Sleeve Body-Con Cocktail Dress – Ann Taylor Crystal Buckle Suede Pump – Olga Berg Matilda Velvet Clutch – Ann Taylor Chandelier Statement Earrings

Take a look at the best cocktail dresses in stores now for more ideas.

flare dress

Of course, you don’t have to only wear black, you could add a pop of color like the beautiful blue dress (below).

Ann Taylor Velvet Belted Flare Dress – Ann Taylor Metallic Mid Block Heel Suede Pump – Olga Berg Matilda Velvet Clutch – Open Edit Disc Linear Drop Earrings

Barb @barb_styling above wears a sequin skirt and blazer. Her outfit would be ideal for cocktail wear. You could also wear more casually with a sweater.

Get her look with this similar silk top, blazer, skirt, pumps, handbag and earrings.

3. Formal / Black-Tie

If you’re dressing up for a black-tie event, it’s the perfect change to go all out in the glamour stakes.

tuxedo dress

While a tuxedo is the perfect black-tie attire for men, you could wear your own version with the tuxedo dress (below).

Eliza J Long Sleeve Tuxedo Gown – Ann Taylor Metallic Mid Block Heel Suede Pump – Ann Taylor Sequin Houndstooth Clutch – Open Edit Disc Linear Drop Earrings

jumpsuit

While black-tie usually means a long, formal gown, the jumpsuit below has the look of a dress as the skirt layers over the pants. Plus, sequins always add extra glamour. Add statement earrings, heels, and a clutch and you’re good to go.

Eliza J Sequin Bodice Long Sleeve Overlay Jumpsuit – NINE WEST Pruce Heeled Sandal – Olga Berg Matilda Velvet Clutch – Deepa Gurnani Jody Beaded Tassel Earrings

gown and a wrap

Of course, you could opt for a long, dramatic gown. Red will add impact. You can add a wrap for extra coverage.

Dress the Population Camden Mermaid Hem Evening Gown – Nordstrom Shimmer Wrap – NINE WEST Pruce Heeled Sandal – Olga Berg Matilda Velvet Clutch – Weinuo Sterling Silver Post Hoop Earrings 

Natalia @odin.stylish.me above wears a faux fur jacket with her blue gown. Her gold accessories go beautifully with the color of her dress.

Recreate her outfit with this similar gown (another option here), jacket, pumps and clutch.

all the best office party outfits

Below, you can see all of the work party outfits together in one capsule. You could switch some of the clothes and accessories around to alter the formality of your outfit. For example, you could wear the red sweater with the sequin pants or silver midi skirt, you could wear boots with your jeans, or you could go matchy-matchy by wearing the blue shoes with the blue dress.

Many of these outfits are not just great for your office Christmas party but can be worn for many other festive occasions throughout the year!

Shop the office party outfits above here:

Continue reading:

1. How To Dress For A Christmas Party: 11 Outfit Ideas!
2. The best outfits for the holidays
3. The Best Casual Party Outfits That Still Make An Impact
4. Classy Business Outfits For Women Over 40 – Your Work Capsule Wardrobe Sorted

What are your own tips when choosing what to wear to a work Christmas party? Let us know in the comments below.

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Feature image by Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion

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