What to wear to the Office Christmas Party?

What to wear to the Office Christmas Party?

The Christmas Party season is often responsible for some serious fashion faux pas. Flashing Christmas tree earrings, reindeer jumpers and inappropriate Christmas fancy dress are all part of a long list of errors where too much personality is brought to an office event!

Socializing with your co-workers outside the office in a Christmas party environment can be a very daunting experience and what to wear can be a big part of this dilemma. There is one tip for all aspiring Office Christmas Party models:
BE CAREFUL!

Because most of your co-workers only see you at work it’s tempting to go overboard with an outfit that says “this is who I really am!” the Company Christmas Party really isn’t the time to expose “the real you”. Keep to the persona you’ve developed at the office, whatever that may be.

Dress too alternative, too sexy, or just plain bad and you are likely to attract some unwanted Christmas party attention and the boss is likely to see a side of your personality you’d probably rather they didn’t.

Follow these tips and Christmas party ideas to make sure you turn up to work in the New Year without holding your head in shame:-

- Do a little research. Your Office Christmas party will have a dress code (casual, semi-formal, formal, black tie etc) so make sure you know what it is. Also, ask your colleagues what they are wearing so you know you will fit in.

- Even though your Christmas party may not be anywhere near the office you still have to remember that it is an Office Christmas Party. Don’t wear something you don’t want your boss to see you in, because they will!

- If you want to show off, do it using accessories. A nice watch for the guys, or some nice jewellery for the girls.

- Sexy Santa is always a no no.

- Stay true to your company culture. If you work for a young media company often anything goes at the Christmas Bash. However, if you are a Merchant Banker you probably want to dress more on the conservative side, even if the invitation says casual.

- Don’t expose too much skin. Just because it’s a party doesn’t mean you can hike up your hem and drop your neckline. You still work with the people in attendance and a certain degree of professionalism is in order. General rules: keep your skirts and dresses below mid-thigh and a huge cleavage on show is always a no.

- Wear shoes which you can dance in, the Christmas party usually involves a dance or two, bear this in mind when selecting your footwear.

- Find out if there is a theme, conservative colour-coded outfits or light accessories can help you make a subtle style statement.

- If the invitation says Christmas Ball check with the organisers or a colleague what level this means. A prom dress may be a little over the top.

Finally, try to ensure that your outfit suggests an understanding of your company culture and the Christmas party theme and if you tread carefully you should be able to sit back and enjoy the Christmas party feeling glamorous!

Good luck from the Company Christmas Team!!

http://www.companychristmas.co.uk