As you know, Cameron Rose sources and writes the Friday Fab Find features for the blog. When I sent her an email last week, she jokingly mentioned that she hadn’t gotten her invite to the holiday office party. Seeing that there is no office, no other employees and Cameron isn’t technically on staff in the traditional sense, it made me laugh. There will be no office party at Bridgette Raes Style Group unless I can convince my cats to celebrate. I’m not hopeful.
Being the exception, not the norm, many employees will be attending an office holiday party of some sort. When I was an employee as a fashion designer, all the holiday parties I attended were held in the office. Every job my husband has had has been held off-site and somewhat dressy. I’ve worked with clients who attend huge formal holiday party shindigs and others who just need to jazz up their office look a bit. So how employees celebrate the holidays truly varies.
Holiday Party Style for Workplace Celebrations
While the celebration type can vary, there are universal rules that should be considered when planning an outfit to ensure the are workplace appropriate. You are celebrating with your coworkers. Even if some of them are your friends outside the workplace, don’t lose sight of what is and isn’t considered acceptable to wear. Below I have put together five different holiday office party looks for different types of celebrations that are all appropriate to wear around co-workers and your boss.
Before we get into the holiday party looks, check out this week’s video
Outfit #1
This first look is for the woman who just needs to jazz up a work look to make it a bit more celebratory. The jacket from IRO and dress from Elie Tahari are pieces that could easily be worn throughout the year. With the addition of these subtly sparkly pumps from Kenneth Cole and earrings from J. Crew, the outfit looks more festive.
Outfit #2
I love winter white. I think it is stunning for the holidays. In this elevated casual look, I styled these pants and sweater, both from Mango with a pair of burgundy pumps from 27 Edit and added these bone-colored earrings for a clean and subtle finish.
Outfit #3
For the more casual workplace where it would look out of place to get all dressed up for an office holiday party, I styled this green crushed velvet blazer from Frame that I layered over a silk Theory shell and styled with a pair of jeans from Madewell. I finished the look with gold booties from Sam Edelman and a multistrand necklace from Kendra Scott.
Outfit #4
If your holiday office party celebration is a more snazzy affair, you can most certainly lean into the glitter and glitz. However, you do want to avoid plunging necklines, exposed backs, and too much leg. This dress from French Connection looks celebratory and workplace appropriate. I finished the outfit with tassel earrings and burgundy booties from Bella Vita.
Outfit #5
If you love jumpsuits, how about a formal jumpsuit for your holiday office party? I styled this sequin bodice jumpsuit from Harper Rose with a pavé bracelet and drop earrings from J. Crew and used the same pumps from Kenneth Cole that I used in the first look.
Prefer not to buy? Rent
Certainly, you don’t have to buy something new for your office holiday party. For these events, a resource like Rent the Runway can be a perfect alternative. Just make sure you reserve your outfit early enough.
