What to wear to a work holiday party comes down to the dress code and the venue. The safest choice is polished first and festive second: a velvet or satin midi dress, a sleeved sequin dress or a dressy jumpsuit, in a rich seasonal color, with a hemline and neckline you would be comfortable wearing in front of your manager. Match the formality to the venue (office, restaurant or hotel ballroom), add one festive element such as sparkle or velvet, and bring a layer for the commute. This guide walks through the work holiday party dress code for every setting, the dresses that work best, and the few things to leave at home.
What Is the Dress Code for a Work Holiday Party?
Most work holiday parties fall somewhere between business casual and cocktail attire. The invitation, the venue and the time of day tell you where yours lands. If nothing is stated, aim for "elevated office": the kind of outfit you would wear to an important client dinner, with one festive detail added.
- In the office, during the day: treat it as business casual with a holiday touch. A knit or satin midi, or your usual work outfit with sparkly earrings, is plenty.
- Restaurant or private dining room after work: this is the classic cocktail-attire company holiday party. A velvet midi, a satin slip dress with a blazer or a sleeved sequin dress all fit.
- Hotel ballroom or company gala: if the invitation says "black tie optional" or "formal," a floor-length gown or a very elegant midi is appropriate. Our guide to what black tie means for women explains the difference.
- "Festive attire": this usually means cocktail attire with holiday color, shine or texture. See our breakdown of the festive attire dress code.
When in doubt, ask a colleague who attended last year, or look at photos from past parties.
What to Wear to a Work Holiday Party: The Ground Rules
A work holiday party is still a work event. The goal is to look like the most put-together version of your professional self. A few simple rules make choosing an office holiday party dress much easier:
- Choose a length you can sit in. Midi lengths are the easiest choice. If you love a mini, pair it with opaque tights and sleeves so the overall look feels balanced.
- Keep the neckline moderate. Square, round, cowl and sweetheart necklines with straps are all safe. Save very deep plunges and dramatic cut-outs for New Year's Eve with friends.
- Pick one festive element. Velvet, sequins, metallic thread, a jewel tone or a statement earring: one is chic, three can tip into costume.
- Plan for the whole evening. You may go straight from your desk, so think about the commute, a coat and shoes you can stand in for hours.
What to Wear to a Work Holiday Party, by Style
1. A velvet midi dress
Velvet is the signature fabric of the season, and a velvet midi is the most reliable thing to wear to a work holiday party. It feels festive without any sparkle at all, it is warm, and the midi length works in an office, a restaurant or a hotel.
The Burgundy Velvet Sweetheart Keyhole Midi Dress has a sweetheart neckline with a subtle keyhole, delicate straps and a circle skirt that moves when you walk. It comes in sizes S through 3X. Add a tailored blazer or cardigan in the office and take it off once the party starts. Browse more in our velvet dresses.
2. A satin slip midi with a blazer
A satin slip dress is the most versatile piece for holiday party season. Layer a blazer over it for the office or a restaurant, and wear it on its own for a dinner party later in the month.
The Lorena Midi Dress is a bias-cut satin slip with a draped cowl neckline, tie-fastening spaghetti straps and subtle ruching at the waist. Emerald, burgundy, eggplant and black all look seasonal, and the dress runs from XS to 2XL. With a black blazer and pointed pumps it reads as polished and professional; with gold jewelry it reads as a party.
3. A sleeved sequin dress
Sequins and the office can absolutely mix. The trick is coverage: long sleeves and a simple shape keep sparkle feeling grown-up rather than clubby.
The Kia Sequin Long Sleeve Mini Dress is covered in all-over sequins, with an asymmetrical neckline and a ruched faux-wrap twist at the waist. It also comes in burgundy. For a work event, wear it with opaque black tights and a block heel or knee boot so the mini length feels office-appropriate. If you prefer a looser shape, the Sequin Short Sleeve Mini Shift Dress has a round neckline, short sleeves and a relaxed silhouette in cream or black, in sizes S through 3X. More options live in our sequin cocktail dresses.
4. A dressy velvet jumpsuit
Not a dress person? A jumpsuit is one of the smartest work holiday party outfits because it is comfortable for standing, mingling and dancing, and it photographs well.
The Burgundy Textured Velvet Wide Leg Jumpsuit has a wide neckline, a sleeveless bodice and wide legs in textured velvet, in sizes S through 3X. Add a cropped jacket or a long cardigan for the office portion of the night. See more styles in our jumpsuits for women.
5. A structured cocktail midi
If your company party is at a nice restaurant or a hotel, a structured cocktail dress feels special without being flashy. The Talullah Midi Dress is a strapless Mikado dress with a sculpted bodice, a cinched waist, a full midi skirt and an adjustable lace-up back. Navy is the most seasonal of its three colors. Because it is strapless, plan on a cropped jacket or a wrap for the office crowd.
6. A sleeved little black dress
Black is always correct at a work Christmas party, and sleeves keep it from feeling too evening. The Kennedy Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress has flutter sleeves, a ruffled high-low hem and a stretch fabric that moves with you. The Athena Pearl Sleeve Mini Dress is a dressier option, with a square neckline and sheer long sleeves studded with pearls; wear it with black tights for work. Find more in our black dresses.
7. A gown for the company gala
Some companies host a formal holiday gala at a hotel or event venue. If the invitation says formal or black tie optional, choose a floor-length gown with sleeves for an elegant, workplace-friendly look. The Stella Evening Gown has an embroidered bodice with beading and metallic threadwork and three-quarter sleeves, in mocha gold, navy or eggplant, in sizes 6 through 20. For more ideas, browse our black tie dresses.
Best Colors for a Work Holiday Party
Deep, rich colors look the most seasonal and the most polished at a company holiday party.
- Burgundy and wine: warm, festive and flattering on almost every skin tone. Shop burgundy dresses.
- Emerald and hunter green: a jewel tone that says "holiday" without being literal. Shop green dresses.
- Navy: a softer alternative to black that still looks professional.
- Black: timeless; add sparkle with jewelry or a sequin dress.
- Metallics: gold, silver or champagne are best as accents, or as a sleeved sequin dress for an evening party.
Bright Christmas red is fine too, especially in velvet or a simple silhouette. Head-to-toe red sequins are better saved for a friends' party.
What Not to Wear to a Work Holiday Party
- Anything you would not want in the company newsletter. Photos travel; choose an outfit you would be happy to see on the company's social media.
- Very short, very sheer or very low-cut pieces without a balancing layer.
- Novelty costumes, unless the invitation specifically calls for an ugly sweater or theme.
- Shoes you cannot stand in. Work parties involve a lot of standing and mingling.
- Too many statement pieces at once. Let one element lead.
How to Go From Desk to Holiday Party
Many office holiday parties start right after work, which means getting dressed at 7 a.m. for a 6 p.m. event. Build the outfit in layers:
- Start with the dress. A midi in velvet or satin is the easiest base.
- Add a work layer. A blazer, cardigan or fitted sweater makes it desk-appropriate.
- Pack the party pieces. Statement earrings, a lipstick and a pair of heels fit in a tote.
- Swap at 5 p.m. Remove the work layer, change shoes and add jewelry.
Our guide on how to layer dresses for fall and winter has more ideas for coats and cardigans that work over cocktail dresses.
Staying Warm at a December Work Party
Here in Hudson, Massachusetts, and across New England, December party season means cold commutes, snowy parking lots and drafty entryways. Plan for it:
- Choose sleeves or velvet when you can; browse our long sleeve dresses.
- Wear tights with minis and midis. Sheer black tights look polished; opaque tights add warmth and coverage.
- Bring a real coat. A tailored wool coat looks as good in party photos as a wrap.
- Wear boots for the commute and switch into heels or dressy flats at the venue.
How to Accessorize Your Office Holiday Party Outfit
- One statement piece: sparkly earrings with a plain velvet dress, or simple studs with a sequin dress. Our guide to styling statement jewelry covers the balance.
- A structured bag: a small top-handle or clutch keeps your hands free for a drink and handshakes.
- Comfortable heels: block heels, low pumps or embellished flats get you through a long evening.
- Polished hair and makeup: a classic red or berry lip is an easy festive touch.
FAQ
What should a woman wear to a work holiday party?
A polished cocktail look: a velvet or satin midi dress, a sleeved sequin dress or a dressy jumpsuit in a rich color, with moderate length and neckline. For daytime office parties, your nicest work outfit with one festive accessory is enough.
Can I wear a sequin dress to a work Christmas party?
Yes. Choose a sequin dress with sleeves and a simple silhouette, and balance a short length with tights. Keep accessories minimal so the sequins lead.
Is a jumpsuit appropriate for a company holiday party?
Yes. A velvet, satin or crepe jumpsuit is a stylish and comfortable choice for office, restaurant and cocktail-attire company parties.
How short is too short for an office holiday party dress?
If you would not be comfortable sitting, bending or climbing stairs in front of colleagues, it is too short. Midi lengths are safest; minis work best with tights and long sleeves.
What colors are best for a work holiday party outfit?
Burgundy, emerald, navy and black are the most polished choices, with gold, silver or champagne as accents. Velvet and satin make these colors look especially festive.
Should I dress up for a work holiday party if the invitation says casual?
Dress slightly up from your everyday work look: a nicer sweater or knit dress with festive jewelry, or a velvet midi with flats. Avoid formal gowns at a casual event.
Shop Work Holiday Party Dresses at Lady Black Tie
Knowing what to wear to a work holiday party lets you enjoy the evening and still look like yourself on Monday morning. For a ready-made edit, see our shop guide to work holiday party outfits, browse all work holiday party dresses, explore the full holiday dresses collection, or visit our boutique in Hudson, MA, to try velvet, satin and sequin styles in person with help from our stylists.
