The biggest dilemma at Christmas is not what to buy your boss or in-laws but what to wear to the Christmas party. This is no time to step outside the closet and try out a new look – think tried and tested. It’s like the equivalent of meeting the parents for the first time. You want to show a hint of flesh but on err on the conservative side. Here are five tips to take you straight from the office to the Christmas party.
Decode the dress code
Your Christmas Party invitation may specify the dress code which may be casual, lounge suit, cocktail or black tie. If there is no dress code specified, the type of activity planned, venue and time of the party should dictate how formal you should be dressed. If in doubt, do some research and find out what your colleagues are wearing. With a few alterations, you can adapt your work outfit to become a Christmas party outfit. This can easily be done with accessories, a change of footwear or wearing a different blouse or shirt with your pants or wearing your hair differently.
Modesty is the best policy
You don’t want to wear the same outfit that you wear to work but you also need to bear in mind that your work Christmas party is an extension of your working hours and dress appropriately. You want to be eating lamb at the party and not be mutton dressed as lamb so cleavage, showing excessive leg, hooker heels or unbuttoning your shirt one button past the point of two buttons is definitely a no no at the Christmas party. You may be going to an after-hours Christmas party but your clothes definitely need a PG rating.
Accessories
If you’re going to make a strong statement at the office Christmas party, make it with your accessories and transform your outfit from day to night with a few strategically placed accessories. An interesting necklace, chandelier earrings, chunky bracelets or cocktail ring can be a talking point at the Christmas party and a way to break the ice with your colleagues. If you are unsure of the dress code, take a few choices of different shoes and accessories so you can dress an outfit down or up as appropriate.
Gaudy Christmas trinkets
While you want to want to get into the Christmas spirit, wearing a Christmas hat or a huge reindeer broach with a blinking red nose may look a little on the tacky side, clash with your outfit and can look unprofessional. Keep the Christmas accessories to a minimum.
Lingerie
Don’t spoil your well planned Christmas outfit with the wrong lingerie. Make sure that your panty line is not visible, bra straps are not showing and you are wearing the right underwear for your outfit.
When in doubt, it is always better to be overdressed than undressed. It is much easier to make your outfit look more casual by taking off a few layers, changing your footwear or adding a few strategic accessories.