Attending your office holiday party is a must for most corporate gals. The key is to incorporate contemporary pieces without revealing too much skin. For example, avoid harsh cutouts or deep plunging necklines. Luckily, there are a variety of different possibilities you can put together. From red blazers to timeless lace, you can achieve the ideal balance between style and sophistication. Here are seven outfit ideas you can use as inspiration for your company holiday party to walk the fine line between professional and chic so you can continue to rock your career. Use your best judgment to figure out what will work for your office party.
1. Be Lovely in Lace
The secret to wearing lace to a work event is proper placement. The design of this top allows for very little skin exposure so you can be trendy without feeling self-conscious. Plus, this top is actually a dress! If you want to expand the possibilities of your closet and save some money this holiday season, reevaluate your column dresses to see if they can do double duty as tops.
My Outfit Details
Top: Elise Ryan Open Back Midi Dress in Lace via ASOS (on sale!)
Skirt: Striped dreamer organza skirt via Storets (black sold out but beige available)
Clutch: Harlow Crocodile Envelope clutch via BCBG (on sale!) (use code ”WELCOME2013″ for 15% off plus get automatic free shipping)
Shoes: Nine West Bouffant Pump via DSW (use code SHIPR for free shipping and TRIPLETIME to get 3X points on every purchase)
Bracelet: Sole Society Enamel Multi Strand Bracelet (sign up with your email address to get 20% off your first purchase of over $100 plus use code SPARKLE20 to get $20 off your jewelry purchase over $150)
Necklace: Sold out but love this one from Max&Chloe
Rings: Forever 21 Subtle Geo Midi Rings (steal!)
2. Be a Lady in Red
Most people tend to go for a darker look in the winter but my personal opinion is that you don’t necessarily need to shy away from color in the cold weather. I love a fabulous blazer, whether it’s colorful or not, but this crimson option certainly makes the outfit pop. Combining this black and white striped dress with a red blazer gives off a very Parisian vibe. I especially love the fit & flare look. Bonus, wearing this look with black tights will help keep you warm before the wine kicks in!
My Outfit Details:
Blazer: Mango Crepe Blazer (on sale!)
Dress: Striped Fit & Flare Dress w/ Belt via Forever 21 (steal!)
Shoes: Leather High Heeled Court Shoe via Zara (on sale!)
Clutch: Harlow Crocodile Envelope clutch via BCBG (on sale!) (use code ”WELCOME2013″ for 15% off plus get automatic free shipping)
Tights: AE Footed Tights (on sale!)
Rings: SunaharA Malibu Red Stone Sonic Ring via Shopbop (on sale!) and SusanB.flawless Simulated Diamond Stackable Bands (on sale!)
3. Be Classy in Nude and Black
Nude and black is timeless and sophisticated. Once upon a time, nude may have been overlooked for being dull or lacking creativity, but there is so much you can do with this understated color. With such a minimalist look, it offers endless possibilities. I can’t help but think that neutral tones give off a very feminine and chic look. This is also a great option if you work in a more conservative setting and want to cover up.
My Outfit Details
Coat: Ashley Pea Coat via BCBG (on sale!) (use code ”WELCOME2013″ for 15% off plus get automatic free shipping)
Top: Seemed turtleneck sweater via Ann Taylor, (Use code HOLIDAY50 to get 50% off your entire order)
Skirt: Pencil skirt with wrapped in check via ASOS (on sale!)
Boots: Unlisted Group File Boot via DSW (use code SHIPR for free shipping and TRIPLETIME to get 3X points on every purchase)
Clutch: Harlow Crocodile Envelope clutch via BCBG (on sale!) (use code ”WELCOME2013″ for 15% off plus get automatic free shipping)
Tights: AE Footed Tights (on sale!)
Necklace: Adia Kibur Link Chain Necklace via Shopbop
4. Be Bold in Leather
If you want to be edgy this holiday season, I recommend stepping outside your comfort zone and trying leather! Vegan leather that is. I tend to gravitate towards the color black, but it can be challenging to be creative with such a monochromatic look. To fix that problem, try adding different textures and shapes to your look. This vegan leather peplum top adds structure to a plain pencil skirt. I added a similarly textured belt with gold hardware to exaggerate the peplum and create a flattering hourglass silhouette.
My Outfit Details
Top: Vegan Leather Tinley Road Peplum Top via Piperlime (on sale!) (enter code “THANKYOU” for 20% off)
Belt: Peplum Plate Detail Waist Belt via ASOS (on sale!)
Skirt: Warehouse Pencil Skirt via ASOS (on sale!)
Shoes: Leather High Heeled Court Shoe via Zara (on sale!)
Lipstick: Ruby Woo, by MAC via Macys
Ring: Miniature Bow Midi Ring via Topshop (steal!)
Earrings: Kate Spade New York Finishing Touch Bow Earrings via Saks Fifth Avenue
Watch: Michael Kors ‘Large Runway’ Gold Bracelet Watch via Nordstrom (on sale!)
5. Be Casual in Jeans and a Sweater
What if you want a more low key look? Combine skinny jeans with a loosely fitted sweater and pointy-toed shoes. Add a sleek envelope clutch to complete the look and you’re good to go. An hour before my own office holiday party, I wasn’t sure what to wear and had little time to decide so I grabbed some of my favorite pieces and tried to turn them into a cohesive look. This sweater actually has a partial open back so I wore a tank top underneath to avoid excessive skin exposure. Sometimes the best combinations happen when you’re in a rush because I felt stylish AND comfortable in this outfit all night.
My Outfit Details
Sweater: Grey sequined sweater with back opening by Zara (on sale!)
Jeans: Tall MOTO Black Baxter Jeans via TOPSHOP
Shoes: Leather High Heeled Court Shoe via Zara (on sale!)
Clutch: Harlow Crocodile Envelope clutch via BCBG (on sale!) (use code ”WELCOME2013″ for 15% off plus get automatic free shipping)
Lipstick: Ruby Woo, by MAC via Macys
Bracelet: Showstopper Bracelet Set via Forever 21 (Steal!)
Ring: Silver-tone and Mint Ring Set via Guess
6. Be Chic in Peplum
Yes, it’s peplum again. I can’t help but love it! This top is so wonderfully exaggerated with all of its bottom layers and creates a very flattering silhouette when paired with dark skinny jeans. I normally wear it in the summer because it’s sleeveless but I wanted to incorporate some color in my outfit so I added a blazer to keep myself warm. The ankle boots look great with skinny jeans and the gold and mint necklace is a nice subtle color addition.
My Outfit Details
Top: Petticoat Mini dress via Storets
Jeans: J Brand via Shopbop (Use code EXTRAOFF20 for an extra 20% off all sale items)
Shoes: High Heel Leather Pointed Ankle Boot via Zara (on sale!)
Blazer: Studio Stretch Notch Lapel Peplum Jacket via EXPRESS (on sale!) (Use code 9670 for $25 off every $75 you spend!)
Necklace: Poppy Color Link Necklace via Poshlocket (on sale!) (use code EXTRA15 to get 15% off all sale items)
Watch: Michael Kors ‘Large Runway’ Gold Bracelet Watch via Nordstrom (on sale!)
Ring: Kate Spade New York Finishing Touch Bangle Bracelet via Saks Fifth Avenue
Bag: White Quilted Tote Bag via Debenhams (on sale!)
7. Be Fancy in a Cocktail Dress
If your office holiday party is more of a holiday gala, you might opt for a fancy cocktail dress. I winterized this sleeveless dress by adding a blazer. The dress is professional but the color is vibrant, a perfect mix for a work function.
My Outfit Details
Blazer: Black Drop Pocket Roll Sleeve Blazer via New Look (on sale!)
Dress: Red Color Block Sheath with Zipper via Cache (on sale!)
Shoes: Leather High Heeled Court Shoe via Zara (on sale!)
Clutch: Envelope clutch via BCBG (on sale!) (use code ”WELCOME2013″ for 15% off plus get automatic free shipping)
Necklace: Bing Bang Smily Face Pendant Necklace via Shopbop
Earrings: Kate Spade New York Finishing Touch Bow Earrings via Saks Fifth Avenue
As always, go through Ebates to get cash back on all your purchases in select stores.
Like these looks? Pin them, tweet them, facebook them, or tell me your faves in the comment section below!
GlassesShop says:
love look 4