12 Outfits for a Work Christmas Party
‘Tis the season for all the holiday parties and events, including the sometimes-overlooked WORK holiday party! You might be focused so much on parties and making plans with your friends and family that you put the work Christmas party on the back burner.
Whether you’re headed to a casual daytime potluck with games or a fancier evening affair, dressing for a party is one of the most fun parts of the season! Plus, it’s fun to take a break from all the work-related stuff and get to know your colleagues better on a personal level.
Below, I rounded up 12 outfits that you can wear to your work Christmas parties, no matter the formality (well, I don’t wear outfits that are very formal, so YMMV there… but I’ve got smart casual outfit ideas covered for sure!). It’s such a fun time of year for wearing color, patterns, and texture!
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12 Outfits for a Work Christmas Party
When it comes to choosing your work Christmas party outfits, like you would with any work-related meeting or event, consider the dress code, audience, and environment. If your holiday party is a potluck taking place at the office in the middle of the day, wear what you’d typically wear to work but with some holiday flair. If you’re headed to a formal evening affair, take note of the dress code; you might consider a dressier party outfit more fit for that location.
I shared a few tips to help you plan your holiday party outfits ahead of the office parties you plan to attend. I also rounded up 12 outfit ideas from my archives that I actually wore to work during the holiday season or that I would wear to work for an office Christmas party!
How to Plan Holiday Outfits
Inventory your holiday garments
Before the holiday season is in full swing, make sure to inventory everything in your closet that you want to wear during the holiday season so that you don’t forget to wear something. You could also try things on to make sure they still fit, and put together potential outfits so you can quickly grab-and-go in the morning (or evening)!
Start with Your Go-to outfit combination
No need to reinvent the wheel! Start your holiday outfits with one of your go-to outfit combinations… a “uniform”, if you will. If you love wearing festive sweaters with your favorite jeans, build your outfit from that base. I recommend having a handful of go-to outfit combinations in your back pocket if you’re headed to work Christmas parties of various formalities.
Wear holiday-themed colors and patterns
THIS is the time of year to wear a bright red sweater, plaids or tartan patterns, snowflake prints, etc.! Swap out your typical colors and patterns in your uniform(s) for something fun and festive. Ugly Christmas sweaters are always a hit at holiday parties!
Play with textures and accessories
Want to know how to make your outfit feel instantly like a holiday outfit? Add a luxe texture or two and/or statement jewelry! Velvet, faux fur, corduroy, and wool are all perfect textures to wear in your work Christmas outfits. Finish your looks with statement necklaces, glam earrings, or other fun jewelry of your choice!
Finish with weather-appropriate footwear
Make sure to complete your holiday outfits with footwear appropriate for whatever weather you’re dealing with! I recommend having a couple of pairs of nicer waterproof shoes (boots, pumps) if you’re expected to be outside in wet weather, especially for a work Christmas party happening in the evening at a fancy location.
Check out my easy, 3-part holiday outfit formula to help your build your outfit for your work Christmas party and any other holiday events you have planned during the season!
What to Wear to a Work Christmas Party
Dark Tartan Scarf + Green Corduroy
I love a subtle holiday outfit for the office! Wear a pair of colored pants or jeans (like this gorgeous forest green color), add a black sweater, black shoes, and top it off with a dark tartan scarf. A big scarf like this could be unwrapped and easily worn as a shawl if it’s chilly at your desk!
Wool Topcoat + Paperbag Pants
If you work in a more formal office or if you’re headed to a work Christmas party in the evening, this is one way you can dress for the occasion. I love wearing my paperbag pants (or black trousers) to feel comfortable yet pulled-together. Glam it up with your hair, accessories, and wool coat.
Statement Necklace + Velvet Flats
White jeans aren’t only to be worn in the summer months! Pair them with a navy sweater and navy velvet flats for the perfect preppy holiday outfit for the office party. Add a crystal statement necklace for extra glamour, and top it all off with a nice wool coat instead of your typical puffer!
Holiday Red Sweater + Indigo Jeans
This is one of my all-time favorite holiday outfits. A red sweater instantly makes any outfit feel like a holiday outfit to me! This is also a go-to outfit combination: sweater, jeans, and ankle boots. Make it feel even more holiday-party appropriate by wearing velvet boots and a tartan scarf.
Cozy Wool Cardigan + Ponte Pants
If you’re having a more low-key office holiday party, go cozy and comforting with a pair of ponte pants and a wool cardigan. If you’re sensitive to wool, I recommend trying a merino wool (softer than regular wool), cashmere (softest), or cotton (not as warm but there wouldn’t be animal fiber itch).
Tartan Flannel Shirt + Corduroy Pants
This is such a fun and festive work outfit for a holiday party at the office! I love having fun with my outfits at work even on the days we don’t have our holiday party. Pair your favorite tartan flannel shirt with cozy corduroy pants, and if the weather cooperates, complete the outfit with metallic flats.
Knit Blazer + Velvet Top
This outfit is like a subtle holiday outfit, perfect if you’re giving a presentation or networking right before your work Christmas party! Take your classic knit blazer and dark wash jeans combo and opt for a burgundy velvet top and velvet boots to kick up the holiday vibes and add texture.
Faux Fur Coat + Red Sweater
A luxe faux fur coat is always the star of the show! It’s such a fun statement piece and a great way to dress up any of your work outfits for a Christmas party. Under my coat, I’m wearing a red sweater (naturally), dark indigo jeans, and ankle boots in the same color family as the coat.
Burgundy Sweater + Black
If you work in a slightly more formal office, or if you’re headed on a work trip or conference during the holidays, get in the spirit by swapping your usual top with a colorful holiday sweater! Burgundy works well for a subtle nod to the season, but a red or emerald green would also look festive.
Classic Holiday Tartan + Tall Boots
This is another great work Christmas party option if your office is on the casual side of business casual. Plus, the more I look at this outfit, the more I feel like it would be perfect for a country-themed holiday party! Just swap the tall boots for cowboy boots (and maybe the beanie for a cowboy hat).
Cropped Sweater + Black Dress
I don’t wear dresses frequently to work events, but an office holiday party is the perfect occasion! If you’re attending a work Christmas party in the evening at a fancier location, grab your favorite little black dress and top it with a cropped sweater and statement necklace. Finish with velvet boots!
Faux Fur Coat + Black Dress
Here’s another great work Christmas party outfit idea if you’re headed to a formal evening affair! Put on your fanciest holiday dress (a velvet dress would be stunning!), add heels or heeled boots and sparkly jewelry, and complete the outfit with a faux fur coat. So luxe! So perfect for the holidays!