What to Wear to a Work Christmas Party: Dresses & Outfit Ideas
What do you wear to a work Christmas party when you want to look festive, but you’re also going to be drinking champagne next to people you see every Monday morning?
It can be a slightly awkward dress code.
You don’t want to turn up in something that feels like office wear with better earrings, but you probably don’t want to dress exactly as you would for a Christmas night out with friends either.
I always think the easiest place to start is the venue. An afternoon party at the office, dinner at a restaurant and a company Christmas gala are completely different occasions — and your outfit should be too.
First, Look at Where the Party Is
For an office party or something happening straight after work, I would keep it simple but definitely more dressed up than usual. A midi dress, a great mini with tights, or tailored trousers with a beautiful top all work.
If you’re going somewhere for dinner or cocktails, you have much more room to play with satin, velvet, bare shoulders, a shorter hemline or a little sparkle.
And if the invitation says formal or black tie, believe it. This is the time for a proper evening dress.
If there is no dress code at all, I would rather arrive slightly overdressed than spend the first hour wishing I’d worn the nicer dress.
The Midi Dress
This is probably the easiest answer to what to wear to a work Christmas party.
A midi feels dressed up without feeling too serious, and it works for almost every kind of company event. I would look for something with a little personality — a square or off-the-shoulder neckline, draping, a fitted waist or a slit.
Color makes a difference too. Burgundy, dark green, chocolate brown, navy and black all look gorgeous in winter.
Add heels, earrings and a small bag and, really, you don’t need much else.
Velvet Is Made for Christmas
There are very few times of year when I actively look for velvet, but Christmas is one of them.
A black or burgundy velvet mini with tights is such a good office Christmas party outfit, especially if the party is more drinks than formal dinner. A longer velvet dress immediately feels a little more elegant.
The nice thing about velvet is that it already looks festive, so I wouldn’t add too much to it. Good earrings and heels are enough.
Satin, Especially for Dinner
For a restaurant Christmas party, I love satin.
A satin midi or slip dress in wine, chocolate, champagne or dark green looks special without screaming Christmas. It also photographs beautifully, which doesn’t hurt when you know there will be approximately 400 group photos by the end of the night.
Just pay attention to the fit. Personally, I would choose satin that skims the body rather than anything extremely clingy. You want to be able to sit through dinner and forget about your dress.
If it feels a little bare when you’re leaving the office, throw a blazer or long coat over it.
You Can Always Wear Black
There is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a black dress for a Christmas party.
In fact, I would rather wear an amazing black dress than buy something red and sparkly purely because it’s December.
The trick is choosing black that still feels like evening. Velvet, an off-the-shoulder neckline, a fitted silhouette, draping or a little sequin detail can completely change it.
Then add gold earrings, a tiny evening bag or red lipstick.
Done.
Can You Wear Sequins to a Work Christmas Party?
Yes.
I wouldn’t wear the same sequins to every work Christmas party, though.
A full sequin dress makes sense for cocktails, a hotel party or a big evening event. For drinks in the office at 4pm, it might feel like a lot.
If you’re unsure, go smaller. A dress with subtle shimmer, metallic shoes or a sparkly bag gives you the festive part without going full disco ball.
And if the dress is already doing a lot, let it. You don’t need statement earrings, glittery shoes and a crystal bag as well.
What If You Don’t Want to Wear a Dress?
Don’t.
A great pair of wide-leg trousers with a satin top can look just as dressed up. So can a matching skirt and top, especially in a richer fabric or color.
I also love a jumpsuit for this kind of event. Black, wine or midnight blue with a defined waist, heels and earrings is incredibly easy.
And depending on where you work, tailored trousers with a corset-style top can look great for an evening party. I would just keep the rest of the outfit clean.
What Colors Work Best?
Christmas doesn’t automatically mean red and green.
Burgundy is one of my favorites because it feels seasonal without being obvious. Dark green looks amazing in velvet. Chocolate brown is particularly good in satin, and black will always work.
For something brighter, try deep red, champagne, gold or silver.
The colors I would look at first are:
Burgundy and wine
Dark or emerald green
Chocolate brown
Black
Navy
Deep red
Champagne
Gold or silver
But ultimately, wear the color you already know looks good on you. December is probably not the moment to convince yourself that you suddenly love emerald green just because it looks festive on Pinterest.
And Yes, You Can Wear a Mini Dress
I don’t subscribe to the idea that a work Christmas party dress has to reach your knees.
A mini can look completely appropriate. It just depends on the dress and the party.
For example, a long-sleeve velvet mini with tights and heels feels very different from a tiny bodycon club dress.
If I go shorter with the hemline, I usually like a little more coverage somewhere else — sleeves, a higher neckline or tights. Not because there is some official work-party rule, but because the proportions tend to look better.
Shoes, Bag, Coat — Keep It Simple
Once you’ve found the dress, don’t ruin your evening with shoes you can only stand in for twelve minutes.
Work Christmas parties involve a surprising amount of standing around holding a drink and talking. Wear the heels you already know you can walk in.
For accessories, I would pick one or two things. Statement earrings with a simple bag. A metallic heel with minimal jewelry. A beautiful clutch with a black dress.
And think about your coat before you’re standing at the front door in a party dress wondering what on earth to put over it. A long wool coat, blazer or faux-fur jacket usually works.
Hair and makeup don’t need to become another project either. A berry lip, slightly smokier eye, sleek bun or soft waves can be enough.
So, What Would I Actually Wear?
If I didn’t know exactly how formal the party was, I would choose a midi dress.
Probably burgundy, chocolate, black or dark green. A good heel, small bag, earrings, long coat. That’s it.
But if you have a red mini you’ve been waiting to wear, wear it. If your office goes all out for Christmas, bring out the sequins. If you’re happiest in black, don’t suddenly dress like a Christmas ornament because an SEO article told you to.
You still want to look like yourself.
That’s really the difference between an outfit that looks good in theory and one you actually enjoy wearing. You should be able to have dinner, get another drink, talk to your boss, dance if the night goes that way — and mostly forget about what you’re wearing.
With love,
Anna
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