What To Wear To A Work Christmas Party

With the nights growing darker and party season glittering away on the horizon, now is the perfect time to put some thought into what you’re going to wear to your work Christmas party.

To help you craft a brilliant outfit, our style elves have put down their tools, left the workshop and put their pointy ears together to bring you the following Christmas party outfit pointers for ladies and gents.  

Women's Christmas Partywear

This season there’s plenty to mull over in women’s partywear, from understated elegance to dazzling luxury.

What To Wear To Smart Casual Christmas Parties 

Even if your office Christmas party is a more understated affair, there’s plenty you can do to dress up your outfit a little when the dress code calls for smart casual.

Jumpsuits and maxi dresses are a great shout for meals out and festive bar hopping. Comfortable and warm, yet on the dressier end of the spectrum, they’re gorgeous paired with boots or heels and look just as good cocooned in a big winter coat.

Looking for something more structured? A pair of smart jeans, boots, and a floaty printed blouse can be elevated with a blazer to make sure you’re the guest of honour! Whether you’re looking for a classy pattern like a houndstooth, prefer rich velvet, or want something more unique and boho, we’ve got you covered.

What To Wear To Formal Christmas Parties 

When all the stoppers need to be pulled out, it’s time to ladle on the luxury. A classic black dress is a great first port of call, though anything in dazzling sequins, metallic materials or sumptuous velvet can make a statement too. 

For late nights spent swanning around dancefloors (or belting out Fairytale of New York at the top of your lungs), you can’t go wrong with a mini dress. Block colours or classier prints will look the part. Just don’t forget a matching pair of tights to layer for the walk to the cab.

Put on the right finishing touches and accessorise to catch the eye with daintier bracelets, necklaces and rings to add some elegant pizazz. Then pair with a smaller handbag or clutch in a colour that matches your outfit.

Men's Christmas Partywear

Christmas parties aren’t just for the ladies to show off their style. Gents have plenty to strut too.

What To Wear To Smart-Casual Christmas Parties

Men’s smart casual gets a bit of a bad name (a crisp shirt and trousers don’t exactly bellow ho-ho) but there’s plenty you can do to look a little more magnificent.

For smart-casual affairs, a smart pair of dark-coloured jeans is an adaptable place to start. Layer on an embroidered shirt or one with a jaunty collar-and-cuff print to make the look jingle. And you can never go wrong with a knitted Christmas jumper.

A snazzy blazer will make your shirt and jeans look a bit more out of the ordinary. And if you’re spending an evening on the tiles, a colourful waistcoat gives festive cheer while still being freeing enough for frenzied move-busting. A blazer-waistcoat combo does stray more into formalwear, so keep warm on the train home with a smart winter coat - lapels naturally popped, of course.

Shoes-wise, clean and cool white trainers are perfectly fine (clean being the operative word here - leave your gym pumps at home) or go for something a touch dressier, like a casual boot or brogue.

What To Wear To Formal Christmas Parties

When the occasion is a more formal affair, it’s time to up the formality. Swap out your jeans and chinos for smarter trousers - herringbone and plaid are lovely places to start. 

Definitely throw on a blazer (affix a festive pin to win the company’s best-dressed award) and even a waistcoat. Matching both with your bottoms will give a finer, more tailored look that will turn heads for all the right reasons! If the temperature’s sub-zero, combine your tailoring with a thick roll-neck jumper for a continental look with ladles of je ne sais quoi.

Fabric-wise, work whatever’s best for you - though a woollier, tweedier number definitely better suits the season. And if you really want to go all-out, a bright silk tie will bring the jazz while still keeping your top button done up in line with the occasion.

Deck your feet with sleeker, smarter shoes. Just make sure to match the leather with your belt, as the style commandments dictate.