# Holiday party outfits: what to wear to each kind of party, on 8 real looks

> Office party, dinner, a dressy night out or New Year's Eve: holiday party outfits for women and men, where the guides disagree, and 8 real looks.

- Canonical: https://wearitonme.com/blog/holiday-party-outfits/
- Author: Maxence Aurel, Founder and AI solution architect, Wear It On Me
- Published: 2026-10-20
- Topic: holiday party outfits

Images in this guide are AI try-on renders made with the Wear It On Me try-on: real garments from our catalogue put on our own stock mannequins. Prices as checked on 2026-10-20. Links marked "affiliate link" earn Wear It On Me a commission. Try any of these looks on your own photo, free, at https://wearitonme.com/look-builder

Key takeaways

- Dress for the party you are going to. The office party wants your workwear with one festive touch; a dinner or cocktail party wants a dress or a suit in velvet, satin or a jewel tone; New Year's Eve is the night the guides allow sequins from head to toe.
- "Festive attire" on an invitation means cocktail attire with a seasonal touch. With no dress code at all, a cocktail dress that ends around the knee is the safe choice.
- At the office: a hem near the knee, nothing too low or too sheer, and dress at the level of the most senior person in the room.
- Velvet is the one fabric no guide I read argues against. Sequins, minis, jeans and red are where they split.
- For men: a velvet jacket or a dark suit, a tie optional at most office parties, and not a full velvet suit at work.
- Wear shoes you already know you can stand in for three hours.

What should you wear to a holiday party? It depends on which party. The office party wants what you wear to work, with one festive touch; a dinner or cocktail party wants a dress or a suit in velvet, satin or a jewel tone; New Year's Eve is the one night the guides let you wear sequins from top to toe. Emily Post defines the code most invitations mean: "A festive dress code is often the choice for holiday or New Year's parties. It's essentially cocktail party attire with a seasonal and festive holiday touch." Below, a look for each kind of party, for women and for men, and the questions the guides answer differently.

Plenty of people find it hard. A 2024 Stitch Fix survey run with LinkedIn found "nearly half (45%) of people admitting to feeling uncertain or overwhelmed when choosing what to wear," and the biggest worry was the balance between formal and festive: "53% of respondents named it as their biggest stressor." The office party has not gone anywhere. Challenger, Gray & Christmas counted "64% of companies planning holiday celebrations" in December 2024, "matching last year's figure." A 2025 survey of 1,000 full-time US employees for ezCater, a catering company, expected "an 82% attendance rate," and found something worth knowing before you buy anything: "62% of employees prefer casual attire as the dress code for the holiday party."

Every look below is something you can buy. The dresses, the suits and the coat come from Zapaka, the shop our catalogue carries today, and each was put on our mannequins by the same try-on you can use on your own photo. Under every render: the pieces, their price when we last checked, a link to try them on yourself, and a marked link to the shop. The guides that rank for this search build their outfits from separate product photos and keep women and men in different articles. Here both are on one page, on three figures: our size 8 and size 12 mannequins and our men's mannequin. Further down there is a list of the department stores' holiday pages, for the brands our try-on does not carry yet.

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka dark green velvet sheath dress with long sleeves and black satin bow pumps on our size 8 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Dark Green Sheath Velvet Ruched Midi Work Dress with Long Sleeve, $129. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14866882232683. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fdark-green-sheath-velvet-ruched-midi-work-dress-with-long-sleeve
- Zapaka, Black Chunky High Heel Shoes with Bow, $69. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A7237326930018. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-chunky-high-heel-shoes-with-bow

*[Render: AI try-on render of the same Zapaka dark green velvet sheath dress and black satin bow pumps on our size 12 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Dark Green Sheath Velvet Ruched Midi Work Dress with Long Sleeve, $129. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14866882232683. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fdark-green-sheath-velvet-ruched-midi-work-dress-with-long-sleeve
- Zapaka, Black Chunky High Heel Shoes with Bow, $69. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A7237326930018. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-chunky-high-heel-shoes-with-bow
## The office holiday party

Harper's Bazaar puts the rule in two sentences: "Dressing for a holiday office party is all about a festive touch (touch being the operative word here). It's not necessarily the time to break out the sparkling minis or plunging, plume-festooned necklines; rather, it's an occasion to go for interpretations of seasonal motifs that you'd be comfortable wearing around your CEO." Emily Post asks for consistency: "Keep your look consistent for the workplace party. If you generally dress in a classic style, choose something classy and traditional for your party look". W Magazine starts from the practical side: "You're likely heading to your job's holiday party from, well, your job." And Seattle Magazine gives the best yardstick I found: "aim to dress at the same level as your most senior colleague in the room."

The hem is where most office guides get specific. Faultless: "try to keep your hemline from creeping too far above the knee." Lulus: "A midi or knee-length hem is always a safe starting point, but it's worth evaluating your full look before you leave the house." The Muse covers the rest: "If there's any concern that something is too short, too tight, too baggy, too sheer, or too flashy, it's probably safe to say it's a no-go."

The green velvet dress above is the one I would wear to an office party without thinking twice. Zapaka files it as a work dress, which is the point: a sheath with a boat neck, long sleeves and soft ruching across the waist, at $129. It fell just below the knee on the size 8 mannequin and nearer mid-calf on the size 12. The festive part is the fabric. Glamour: "When in doubt this time of year, go with velvet." Harper's lists the same family: "Velvet, lace, brocade, and satin are all winning choices." The black satin pumps have a block heel, an ankle strap and a jewelled bow ($69). That bow is the one piece of sparkle, and at an office party one piece is enough. The first render on the size 12 mannequin put a handbag in her hand that nobody asked for; the one above is the second.

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka plum velvet pantsuit and black strappy heeled sandals on our size 12 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, 2 Piece Plum Velvet Peak Lapel Single Breasted Women's Suits, $129. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14866747064683. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2F2-piece-plum-velvet-peak-lapel-single-breasted-womens-suits
- Zapaka, Black Stiletto Sandals, $61. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A6632798126178. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-stiletto-sandals
If you would rather wear trousers, the guides are unusually warm about a velvet suit. Harper's: "For those who have limited time to experiment with their holiday office wardrobe, a velvet suit is a one-and-done investment that always delivers." ELLE: "Stand out from the sea of cocktail dresses with a sharply tailored pant suit." Zapaka's plum velvet suit has a single-breasted jacket with peak lapels and flared trousers that reached the ankle on the size 12 mannequin, at $129. Two changes before I would wear it to work. The render shows nothing under the jacket and the V is deep, which runs into Corporette's advice to "avoid showing cleavage"; a black camisole or a silk shell fixes it. And the black stiletto sandals ($61) are for the evening. At the office party I would wear the block-heel pumps from the green dress. Elizabeth Cardinal Tamkin, quoted by The Zoe Report, on stilettos: "You do not want to fall holding a glass of champagne in front of your work colleagues."

*Try this look on your own photo, free: https://wearitonme.com/look-builder*
## Where the guides disagree

| Question | Yes, or more | No, or less |
|---|---|---|
| Sequins at the office party? | "Who can argue with a sequined dress this time of year?" (Glamour, on work parties) | "But the all-sequin legging or all-sequin dress can be… well… a bit much for an office holiday party." (Corporette); "Just save anything overly revealing or head-to-toe sequins for New Year's Eve" (Lulus) |
| A mini? | "This mini one is callin' us by name." (Cosmopolitan, on a work Christmas party) | "But skip the strapless dress and the miniskirt." (The Muse); "not necessarily the time to break out the sparkling minis" (Harper's Bazaar) |
| Jeans? | "Dress up your everyday jeans with a touch of festive velvet" (Harper's Bazaar); "If that's a pair of jeans and favorite sweater, go for it." (The Muse) | "While a pair of dark, tailored jeans can look sophisticated in certain situations, at your office holiday party this might be toeing the line." (Faultless) |
| Red? | The Muse calls red "the color of the season" | "there's an avalanche of red dresses, glittery tinsel trims, and novelty pieces destined to gather dust come January." (W Magazine) |
| A holiday sweater? | At a casual happy hour, "festive sweaters such as ones that have a seasonal phrase or graphic on them are a fun way to participate." (Stitch Fix) | "By no means should you consider wearing your favorite holiday sweater (c'mon!)." (Seattle Magazine); "The only thing that's worse than forced fun is novelty clothing" (FashionBeans) |
| A tie for men? | "choose a tie that's dressier than what you usually wear to work." (The Tie Bar) | "Guys, it's okay if you choose not to wear a tie to the office holiday party." (Faultless) |
| How dressed up? | "In a nutshell: err on the side of elegance." (Emily Post); "gravitate to the more formal end of the spectrum" (Gentleman's Gazette) | "Wear what you're comfortable in." (The Muse); 62% of employees would rather the party were casual (ezCater) |

Most of the table comes down to which party the writer had in mind. Glamour and Cosmopolitan write about sequins and minis for readers who want to stand out; Corporette, The Muse and Faultless write for people who want to keep their job. On sequins, my answer is Lulus's. One sequined piece (a skirt, a top, the bow on a shoe) works at most office parties, and a dress covered in them belongs to the evening parties further down. On jeans, I would follow Harper's only where the office wears jeans on a normal day, which is Emily Post's consistency rule again. On red, W is right that it is everywhere in December. That is an argument for a deep red or for a different colour, and the burgundy dress below does both.

## Reading the invitation

Emily Post's attire guide gives the codes you are likely to see. On semi-formal: "Do keep in mind that if the event is later than 6 in the evening, you'll want to err on the side of formality." On black tie optional: "Women can choose either a formal evening gown, a shorter cocktail dress, or dressy separates." And on creative black tie: "A creative black tie is best described as attire with a black-tie foundation with room for some creativity and flair." Pottery Barn, of all places, has the most relaxed reading of festive: "If the invitation simply requests festive attire, you can always opt for merry accessories, tie or jewelry or anything in between that has the most festive holiday theme."

With no dress code at all, Sherri Hill has the safest answer: "When the invitation doesn't give a dress code, a cocktail dress that ends around the knee is the safest choice." Companies also invent their own. The Muse quotes dress codes like "casual dressy," "holiday spirit," and "just have fun with it." None of the guides I read defines "holiday chic". I read it as festive: cocktail attire with one seasonal touch. If you want the cocktail code in more detail, our guide to [cocktail dress attire for wedding](/blog/cocktail-attire-for-a-wedding/) guests covers lengths and fabrics by hour, and a holiday party works the same way.

## A dinner party, or a dressy night out

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka burgundy burnout velvet wrap-style maxi dress and gold sandals on our size 8 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Burgundy A Line V-Neck Burnout Velvet Dress with Short Sleeves, $129. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A7249836965986. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fdark-green-a-line-burnout-velvet-long-prom-dress
- Zapaka, Women's Gold Sandals, $42. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A4519516078178. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fwomens-gold-sandals

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka red sequin mini dress and black strappy stiletto sandals on our size 8 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Red Sequins Tight Short Homecoming Dress, $49. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A6712702730338. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fred-sequins-tight-short-homecoming-dress
- Zapaka, Black Stiletto Sandals, $61. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A6632798126178. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-stiletto-sandals
The burgundy dress is for the party at someone's home, the family dinner, or the evening where you are the host. It is burnout velvet, black with a pattern of burgundy red flowers, cut as a long A-line with a V-neck wrap, short sleeves and a tie at the waist, at $129. It is red enough to look like December and dark enough to avoid W's "avalanche of red dresses". Harper's colour advice fits it: "let the holidays guide your outfit's color scheme; jewel tones and icy winter pastels always hit the mark." The gold strappy sandals have a low heel ($42), which matters at a dinner where you will stand in the kitchen for an hour. The short sleeves want a coat for the walk from the car.

The red sequin mini is the cheapest dress on this page, at $49, and the most fun. It is fitted and covered in sequins, with thin double straps. Harper's party guide is in favour: "Think sequin-laden skirts, sweaters trimmed in feathers, foiled tights". So am I, for a cocktail party, a bar with friends or New Year's Eve, and not for the office, by every rule above. With the black stiletto sandals ($61) it is a complete outfit. TeriLyn Adams adds a fix for a cold night: "If you're wearing a short dress, consider pairing it with tights." How much sequin works at a wedding, a different question, is in our guide to [sequin dresses for wedding guests](/blog/sequin-wedding-guest-dresses/).

## New Year's Eve

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka gold sequin mini dress under a black faux fur coat with gold block-heel sandals on our size 12 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Golden Tight Spaghetti Straps Homecoming Dress with Sequins, $79. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A7194222067810. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fbodycon-golden-spaghetti-straps-cocktail-dress-with-sequins
- Zapaka, Black Open Front Faux Fur Women Coat, $79. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A6965877145698. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-open-front-faux-fur-women-coat
- Zapaka, Sparkly Golden Double Strap Rhinestones Prom High Heels Chunky Sandal, $37. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14838896820587. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fsparkly-golden-chunky-double-strap-rhinestones-prom-high-heels
This is the night Lulus saves the sequins for, and the night the guides stop arguing. The dress is Zapaka's gold sequin mini with thin straps and lines of beads radiating from the waist, at $79, under a black faux fur coat worn open ($79), with gold rhinestone sandals on a block heel ($37). The whole outfit costs $195. Two notes. The coat is what makes it a December outfit rather than a summer one: midnight usually means standing outside, and a mini with bare legs needs something warm on top. And this is the second gold dress I tried. The first, a V-neck sequin mini, came back from the try-on as a floor-length gown on four runs out of four, with the coat and without it, so I swapped it. If you try a short sequin dress on your own photo, compare the hem with the shop photo before you trust it.

If the invitation says creative black tie, Emily Post's definition above leaves room for this kind of outfit; at a strict black-tie party, a long dress is safer.

*Try this look on your own photo, free: https://wearitonme.com/look-builder*
## Holiday party outfits for men

GQ's advice for the office party is the most useful single paragraph I read: "Clothing-wise, aim for the middle lane: blazer and shirt up top, maybe even a fun tie if you're feeling festive, but still keeping it grounded with jeans and a soft sweater. We'd avoid sneakers here, so throw on some oxfords, loafers, or a dressier pair of boots." Emily Post keeps it smaller for the man who always wears a suit: "a nod to the holiday with a red tie is sufficient". Stitch Fix's men's guide on dressier parties: "The good news is: A traditional tuxedo isn't a must. A well-fitted dark suit with a silk tie or a cashmere sweater under your blazer is all you need to get that classy, upscale vibe." For the tie-averse, Gentleman's Gazette (2018) suggests "you could substitute the collared shirt altogether for something like a dark turtleneck sweater under your jacket."

Velvet is the menswear answer too, with a limit. Men's Wearhouse: "How about a velvet jacket for a plush, festive vibe? It's an interesting look that still fits comfortably within most formal dress codes." Seattle Magazine draws the line: "Another option is throwing on a fitted velvet blazer (just don't be the guy who shows up in full velvet ensemble)." That article is from 2017, but the line still holds.

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka royal blue velvet suit jacket with a feather lapel pin, black trousers and brown wingtip shoes on our men's mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Royal Blue 2 Piece Velvet Notched Lapel Men's Prom Suits, $105. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14838799237483. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Froyal-blue-2-piece-velvet-notched-lapel-mens-prom-suits
- Zapaka, Brown Lace-Up Leather Men's Shoes, $89. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14838775284075. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fbrown-lace-up-leather-mens-shoes

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka black velvet double-breasted suit and black slip-on shoes on our men's mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Black Velvet Notched Lapel Double-Breasted Men's Suits, $99. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14922591175019. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-velvet-notched-lapel-double-breasted-mens-suits
- Zapaka, Black Slip-on Men's Casual Shoes, $89. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A14838910091627. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fblack-slip-on-mens-casual-shoes
The royal blue look follows Seattle Magazine exactly: a velvet jacket, plain black trousers. Zapaka sells the jacket and trousers together, at $105. The jacket has notched lapels and a silver feather lapel pin, and the shop photo pairs it with a white shirt and no tie, which the render kept. It is a strong blue, so I would keep everything else plain. The brown leather wingtips ($89) are fine at a party. They would not be at black tie: The Knot says "When you're wearing a tuxedo, it's best to steer clear of brown shoes." For a navy or blue suit on an ordinary day, our guide to [what color shoes with a navy suit](/blog/what-color-shoes-with-a-navy-suit/) goes through every option.

The black velvet suit is the full velvet ensemble Seattle Magazine warns about, and I still like it, for New Year's Eve or a creative black-tie party rather than the office. It is double-breasted with gold buttons and thin gold piping on the lapels, pockets and cuffs, at $99. GQ's version of the idea: "One way to have some fun with the whole "creative black tie" brief is to swap the classic tux jacket for a velvet smoking jacket". The weak point is the shoes. The black slip-ons ($89) are suede loafers with a white rubber sole, and the black-tie shoe guide from John White lists both suede ("suede absorbs light rather than reflecting it") and "white or cream rubber soles" among what to avoid. With this suit I would want a black velvet or patent loafer. The Black Tux calls velvet loafers "Excellent for winter formal occasions, particularly holiday parties and New Year celebrations." Our catalogue has none today. ASOS's [men's smart shoes](https://www.asos.com/us/men/shoes-boots-sneakers/smart-shoes/cat/?cid=5773) page had black patent loafers and a burgundy velvet loafer when I looked.

## Shoes you can stand in

Lulus: "Holiday parties often involve more standing and mingling than expected, so stick with shoes you already know are comfortable." Sherri Hill: "Shoes: heels you can stand in for a few hours, or dressy flats." The Muse: "For obvious reasons, avoid new heels or boots if dancing is on the short list of party events." On this page, the block-heel pumps, the gold sandals and the red Mary Janes are the shoes I would stand in all evening. The stilettos are for a party where you can sit down.

## Where else to find holiday party outfits

Our try-on carries one shop for dresses and suits today. The large stores have whole holiday sections from brands we cannot put on the mannequins yet. If you buy through these links we may earn a commission. It costs you nothing, and it did not decide which shops are listed.

- [Nordstrom, women's holiday outfits](https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/holiday-party-outfits/women) and [men's holiday outfits](https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/holiday-party-outfits/men): the widest choice, for both.
- [Macy's, women's holiday dresses](https://www.macys.com/shop/womens/clothing/dresses/holiday?id=339551): a dedicated holiday dress section.
- [ASOS, party dresses](https://www.asos.com/us/women/dresses/party-dresses/cat/?cid=11057) and [sequin dresses](https://www.asos.com/us/women/dresses/sequin-dresses/cat/?cid=14543): no holiday section, but these two cover it.
- [H&M, party wear](https://www2.hm.com/en_us/women/products/party.html): the lower prices, all year round.
- [Saks Fifth Avenue, designer cocktail dresses](https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/c/women-s-apparel/dresses/cocktail): the designer end.

## What I wouldn't wear to the office party

*[Render: AI try-on render of the Zapaka red satin corset mini dress with a slit and red Mary Jane heels on our size 8 mannequin]*

- Zapaka, Stylish Red Bodycon Spaghetti Straps Corset Satin Homecoming Dress with Slit, $125. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A7174126829666. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fspaghetti-straps-red-bodycon-corset-satin-homecoming-dress-with-slit
- Zapaka, Red Straps Retro Heels, $54. Try it on: https://wearitonme.com/product/zapaka%3A4333290160226. Shop at Zapaka (affiliate link): https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=91139&awinaffid=2963863&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fzapaka.com%2Fproducts%2Fred-straps-retro-heels
The red satin dress is a good dress for the wrong party. It is a fitted mini with thin straps, a corset bodice with a sweetheart neckline, a draped skirt and a slit at the hem, at $125, and with red Mary Jane heels ($54) it is red from shoulder to toe. At a cocktail party with friends I would wear it gladly. At the office it breaks most of the rules on this page at once. The hem is well above the knee, which Faultless and Lulus advise against. The corset and the slit are what Corporette calls "unexpected" skin. And Express has a line for exactly this kind of dress: "Save that sparkly crop top or side-slit mini skirt for a night out with friends and opt for something a little more modest, but still cool." The red shoes push it further into W's avalanche. For the office, the green velvet dress at the top does the same job with none of the risk.

## Questions people ask

### What should I wear to a holiday party?

Match the party. For the office, your work clothes with one festive touch, such as a velvet dress or a sparkly shoe. For a dinner or cocktail party, a cocktail dress or a suit in velvet, satin or a jewel tone. For New Year's Eve, sequins are fine. With no dress code on the invitation, a cocktail dress that ends around the knee is the safest choice.

### What do you wear to a work holiday party?

A knee-length or midi dress, a velvet suit, or dressy trousers with a festive top, at the level of your most senior colleague. Avoid anything too short, too tight, too low or too sheer. Men can wear a blazer or a dark suit; a tie is optional at most office parties.

### Can you wear sequins to an office Christmas party?

One sequined piece, yes: a skirt, a top or a detail. A dress covered in sequins splits the guides. Glamour says yes, while Lulus and Corporette would save head-to-toe sequins for New Year's Eve.

### Can I wear jeans to a holiday party?

At a casual party, or at an office where jeans are normal, dark jeans with a velvet top or blazer work. At a cocktail or dressier party, skip them; Faultless says jeans at the office party "might be toeing the line."

### What does festive attire mean on an invitation?

Emily Post calls it "essentially cocktail party attire with a seasonal and festive holiday touch": a cocktail dress, dressy trousers or separates, holiday colours, and for men a sport coat or blazer with slacks and a festive tie.

### What should men wear to a holiday party?

At the office, a blazer with a shirt or a fine sweater, and dress shoes or loafers rather than sneakers. At a dressier party, a dark suit or a velvet jacket with plain trousers. A full velvet suit is for New Year's Eve or creative black tie.

### What shoes should I wear to a holiday party?

Shoes you have already worn for a whole evening. Block heels, low heels and dressy flats beat new stilettos, especially if there will be dancing.

### Is red too much for a holiday party?

No, but it is everywhere in December. A deep red, a red print or a single red piece stands out more than another bright red dress, and at the office a red dress should still follow the length and neckline rules.

## Sources

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- [How to survive the office holiday party, Emily Post](https://emilypost.com/advice/how-to-survive-the-office-holiday-party)
- [Holiday work party outfits, Harper's Bazaar](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a69626410/holiday-work-party-outfits/)
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- [What to wear with brown shoes, The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/content/what-to-wear-with-brown-shoes)
- [2024 holiday party survey, Challenger, Gray & Christmas](https://www.challengergray.com/blog/2024-rate-of-parties-on-par-with-2023-but-with-lower-budgets-companies-optimistic-on-hiring-business-conditions-heading-into-new-year/)
- [Why 82% of workers are saying yes to the company holiday party, ezCater via Stacker](https://stacker.com/stories/business-economy/great-return-why-82-workers-are-rsvping-yes-company-holiday-party-again)