Holiday Work Party Attire

[dreams82]

What are you all wearing to your work holiday parties? I saw a blazer I liked in a magazine the other day from Target, but have been unable to locate it online. I was going to post it for you guys. So, share your ideas, or better yet pictures, I want to look festive but not overdone!

[mishl982]

It depends on the formality of the party. My work usually does it at a hotel so we get pretty dressed up. Like cocktail attire but not quite black tie.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I think we can wear jeans and a nice top. With this company the location of the holiday party is always kept a secret until the day of the event.

We're flying into CA next Friday to meet with the CA office. All day Friday we'll be at that office but doing some fun events then we head to our secret location for the evening party.

[workaholic?]

we also do our party at a hotel, so some people dress up. Last year i wore some pretty satin trimmed cream colored cropped pants with a red sweater and heels.

this year i'm wearing a dress with gray satin underlay and black lace overlay with a little satin bow...kind of a babydoll cut. since it's sort of a plunging neckline, i'm wearing a little black black shrug over it. i'm still looking for the right shoes and jewelery...i've got a week and half left to find them, so wish me luck.

however, while i'll be that dressed up and there will be others who are also dressed up, many women just wear pants and a sweater.

most of the men wear at least a shirt and tie...some wear full suits. it's kind of just a "get as dressed up as you like" sort of deal. i'm in a festive mood and haven't gotten dressed up in a long time, so i wanted a dress.

[Ciderhillnh]

We used to do ours at a hotel but this year we are having it in house over the lunch hour.

Usually I get dressed and wear something nice. This year Im pretty much grabbing food and heading back to my desk......as are most people from what I hear since we are all really pissed that they couldnt even do a dinner. Their reasoning is that not many people go....my answer was why not do RSVP, and have it start at 3 or 4 not at 5 when people will just head home....my other suggestion was to make it RSVP and $5 to get in.....if you've paid to go to something, you're more likely to go. Those who dont want to go dont have to...at least we wont have spent money thinking that they will show up.

Sigh. Rant over.

Though Ill be my friends date next week for his Xmas party at a swanky hotel in Boston. Ill be wearing my sapphire silk dress, and his father is a furrier and is lending me an ankle length mink!

Then in January I have my other friends party at Foxwoods. Ill be wearing my lime green silk dress for that.

[WorkInProgress]

We used to do ours at a hotel but this year we are having it in house over the lunch hour.

Usually I get dressed and wear something nice. This year Im pretty much grabbing food and heading back to my desk......as are most people from what I hear since we are all really pissed that they couldnt even do a dinner. Their reasoning is that not many people go....my answer was why not do RSVP, and have it start at 3 or 4 not at 5 when people will just head home....my other suggestion was to make it RSVP and $5 to get in.....if you've paid to go to something, you're more likely to go. Those who dont want to go dont have to...at least we wont have spent money thinking that they will show up.

Sigh. Rant over.

It wasn't RSVP before?

And my company does it's annual party after the holidays (it's been anywhere between January and March) so that more people can go since it's not as busy. There's always been a decent turnout.

[AshleyJordan]

I usually just wear an extra-cute top (maybe sparkly,) under my jacket/sweater, and black pants. . . maybe dangly earrings and eyeshadow to supplement my usual corporate casual look. And heels, but I wear heels pretty much every day anyway.

[blueyes]

Well, at my old job, we had the party one year at Dave and Buster's and then at Rock Bottom - it was seriously difficult for me to wear anything but jeans - who plays Skeeball in heels?! :lol:

I haven't heard anything about this new office's party, except that there is a White Elephant gift exchange and the younger crowd is doing a holiday bar crawl (9 - 11 bars! :eek: ).

[MollyMe]

We don't really have a party that I attend. No I know goes to it and it costs money. We do have a lunch party.

I am wearing a black cocktail dress to my bf's Christmas party. Thanks to whomever suggested WHBM. I just got the shoes this weekend. I still need accessories.
It is going to be at a very nice venue and I heard people dress up quite a bit. Sometimes even formal dresses...but the cocktail length should be fine.

[SmilesSoSweet]

My old job, spouses/SOs were invited. I didn't mind it really, until my direct boss' wife would make me feel like I had to have a date for the holiday party. I really hated working with her! LOL

Here, it's just the employees of the company. I don't mind it that way either.

[Kitty]

I am deciding between:

Silver silky skirt, black fitted/shrunken blazer, maroon cami, knee-high boots

or

this emerald green cocktail dress I have that has a silky sash/tie at the natural waist and some silver heels.

[weary]

not that you asked, but i vote for the green dress kitty. :)

[WorkInProgress]

not that you asked, but i vote for the green dress kitty. :)

Me too.

[pisces2473]

I don't know where we're going yet...but it's employees only. Thank God. I wouldn't want to drag Chris to a party where he'll know no one, and I've only worked here 3 months.

[wordsmith]

My outfit will involve bowling shoes, jeans, and a bowling shirt.

[Kitty]

See, that's cool. I feel like everyone is just judging everyone else's SO at those things anyway.

[pisces2473]

See, that's cool. I feel like everyone is just judging everyone else's SO at those things anyway.
Yeah.

[WorkInProgress]

See, that's cool. I feel like everyone is just judging everyone else's SO at those things anyway.

Really? I have never felt like that at my company parties. But I also know a lot of the people and a bunch of the spouses, and have for a while, so maybe that's part of the difference?

EDIT: I also generally go with no date (as I have no SO). And I might be oblivious to that kind of thing going on, I guess?

[pisces2473]

Really? I have never felt like that at my company parties. But I also know a lot of the people and a bunch of the spouses, and have for a while, so maybe that's part of the difference?
I brought C to one coworker's party and it was just odd. I had been there for about 6 months, but there were a ton of coworker's out of work friends...and they were really snobby and older...so it was uncomfy.

If we had the option of bringing an SO to this party, this year, it might be different, esp. b/c there are a lot of young people here.

[Kitty]

It's definitely a place of judgement at my office holiday party. Before it happens everyone is like, "Oooh..I can't wait to see so and so's date" - LAME!

[WorkInProgress]

I brought C to one coworker's party and it was just odd. I had been there for about 6 months, but there were a ton of coworker's out of work friends...and they were really snobby and older...so it was uncomfy.

If we had the option of bringing an SO to this party, this year, it might be different, esp. b/c there are a lot of young people here.

Ah, see, even though the vast majority of my company's employees are older (at least 40ish) and have an SO (usually a spouse), they're pretty friendly, for the most part, and not condescending at all. Different groups are different, though, and I can definitely see how it could easily be uncomfortable. I just thought that my work isn't a total anomaly, that's all. Making conversation is sometimes rough when I'm stuck with someone I don't know, but it passes.

[wordsmith]

Really? I have never felt like that at my company parties. But I also know a lot of the people and a bunch of the spouses, and have for a while, so maybe that's part of the difference?

EDIT: I also generally go with no date (as I have no SO). And I might be oblivious to that kind of thing going on, I guess?

Me, either, and I've both brought dates and flown solo. But I work for a small, fairly close knit workplace, where we all know one another's spouses, SOs. Plus, there are only two of us who are single.

My receptionist is married to my ad manager (in their 50s)
My GM is married (in his 50s)
My publisher is married (in his 40s)
My sales rep is married (In her 50s)
My receptionist at the satellite office is married (in her 40s)
My lifestyles editor is not, but has been living with the same guy for years (they're in their early 50s)
My sports editor lives with his GF (he's 27)
My graphic designer/production manager is single like me (she's 28)

[pisces2473]

Ah, see, even though the vast majority of my company's employees are older (at least 40ish) and have an SO (usually a spouse), they're pretty friendly, for the most part, and not condescending at all. Different groups are different, though, and I can definitely see how it could easily be uncomfortable. I just thought that my work isn't a total anomaly, that's all. Making conversation is sometimes rough when I'm stuck with someone I don't know, but it passes.
If it was coworkers, that's one thing...but this was my coworkers other friends...so it was just weird.

[biodork]

I have no idea how my work party is going to go since I've never been to one before, but it's at a really nice hotel!

This is what I'm going to be wearing: http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/9/optimized/247169_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

PS-does it look like ANYWHERE in that pic that there's a ribbon that ties to the side? I'm really pissed that it didn't show that because it could have saved me a lot of grief when I went back to Macy's to try to exchange it. Grrr...

I still look awesome in it though hehe :)

[Kitty]

I have no idea how my work party is going to go since I've never been to one before, but it's at a really nice hotel!

This is what I'm going to be wearing: http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/9/optimized/247169_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

PS-does it look like ANYWHERE in that pic that there's a ribbon that ties to the side? I'm really pissed that it didn't show that because it could have saved me a lot of grief when I went back to Macy's to try to exchange it. Grrr...

I still look awesome in it though hehe :)

Bio! My emerald green dress is a maggie london dress! It's very similar to yours only emerald green and not a halter.

[MollyMe]

I have no idea how my work party is going to go since I've never been to one before, but it's at a really nice hotel!

This is what I'm going to be wearing: http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/9/optimized/247169_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

PS-does it look like ANYWHERE in that pic that there's a ribbon that ties to the side? I'm really pissed that it didn't show that because it could have saved me a lot of grief when I went back to Macy's to try to exchange it. Grrr...

I still look awesome in it though hehe :)


I saw that dress too online. I thought it was cute! I went shopping at Macy's or Dillards and noticed the big ribbon on the side. Nto a fan. I had already fell in love with the dress at White House Black Market.

[mishl982]

Elyse, how uneven were the ribbon ties?

[embrassezla]

I had already fell in love with the dress at White House Black Market.
Ohhh. They've got great dresses.

[yankeeyosh]

Simple for me. Suits and ties every day; hence, suits and ties at the party.

[workaholic?]

yayyy....just ordered my shoes for the party today...Nine West for $30!

[EmberMae]

Our party is going to be during the work day, probably at a restaurant or something. I plan to just wear normal work clothes.

[biodork]

Bio! My emerald green dress is a maggie london dress! It's very similar to yours only emerald green and not a halter.
:D I love my dress!!! Maggie london is awesome.

Mish-The ribbons are very obviously uneven, like by several inches. If I wrap them around my front to the back, there isn't enough of the one ribbon to even make a double knot. Which is why I'm thinking it's a side tie. Plus look: http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/8/optimized/247168_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

[mishl982]

Mish-The ribbons are very obviously uneven, like by several inches. If I wrap them around my front to the back, there isn't enough of the one ribbon to even make a double knot. Which is why I'm thinking it's a side tie. Plus look: http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/8/optimized/247168_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg
Heh I can't really tell in the pic because it's black, but is it long enough to wrap around towards the front?

[biodork]

Heh I can't really tell in the pic because it's black, but is it long enough to wrap around towards the front?
It's long enough to go to the side and tie a knot.

[Deavan]

What are you all wearing to your work holiday parties? I saw a blazer I liked in a magazine the other day from Target, but have been unable to locate it online. I was going to post it for you guys. So, share your ideas, or better yet pictures, I want to look festive but not overdone!


I don't have any pictures however I went to my bfs office party last week and this is what I wore:

A burgandy 3/4 length sleeve shirt with a scoop neck, a black Pencil skirt which went to just below my knees, and long black boots that go to just be low my knees...I looked wicked cute ;)

[eastcoaster782]

Cute sweater and jeans. Nothing fancy because it's going to be a really casual setting.