From Boardroom to Bubbly: How to Dress for (and Survive) Your Work Christmas Party

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… party season. This glittering corporate tradition comes with the expectation of transforming from “sharp, competent professional” to “moderately festive, not too unhinged” in a matter of mere minutes. Navigating this magical evening where office politics meets prosecco and someone inevitably reveals far too much about their divorce is not for the faint of heart. But you? You’re going to look incredible and keep your dignity intact. Let’s strategise.

Silk Shirts That Carry You From Day to Night

Image credit: The Shirt Company

A silk shirt is impeccable in the office, irresistible in party lighting, and swish enough to make you feel like the protagonist in your own Christmas romcom. Pick jewel tones to glow like the world’s most tasteful Christmas bauble. Just slap on a swipe of lipstick and some bold earrings to exude an aura that says “I will accept rosé, but I will not accept a paper crown.” Bonus points for wearing heels so towering that you couldn’t possibly dance with Dave from accounts.  

Shirt Dresses for Effortless Festive Style

Image credit: The Shirt Company

For women who refuse to faff around, the shirt dress is your Christmas party uniform. You can’t beat the elegant drape of a midi-length belted number for versatility and style. If your HR department has ill-advisedly decided to think outside the box this year, a shirt dress ensures you can stride confidently out of the office and into whatever they throw at you… even if it happens to be a neon bowling lane. 

Outerwear That Completes the Look

It’s December. You will be outside at some point, whether it’s waiting for a cab or simply needing a breather from that colleague who insists on trying to make everyone do shots. A tailored wool coat will be your faithful companion when you’re shivering your way through the city. Choose a colour that works with everything (black, camel, deep berry) and keep it close to hand so you can flee if people start doing the Macarena. 

Accessories That Elevate Without Overdoing It

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A strong Christmas party accessory gives a holly jolly vibe without going full 'Polar Express.' On the makeup front, a smattering of shimmering gold eyeshadow or highlighter will go a long way to hide any “bah humbug!” sentiments you might be having. For jewellery, pop a vaguely festive brooch on as a subtle nod to the party spirit. I have a sparkly robin from the Red Cross charity shop in my home town and it’s never failed me.

Of course, it’s practically compulsory to wear your most dangling, ostentatious chandelier earrings to such an event. We encourage this tradition. 

Social Survival

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It can be hard to find safe topics of conversation which aren’t office drama or boring work chat, so make sure you’ve brushed up on your Celebrity Traitors lore to start a failsafe self-perpetuating conversation. Nothing unites a room faster than discussing which well known faces crumbled under Claudia Winkleman’s withering fringe. We love the fact that everyone has a theory, and none of them matter enough to upset anyone. Exactly what you need at a work party.

If for some reason the karaoke machine appears, you must make a strategic decision. You’re either melting, proud and dignified into the night or staying to observe the carnage from a safe distance like a corporate Louis Theroux. 

The Morning After

As a semi-retired hangover veteran, I can tell you that the only thing you need for a less painful morning after is a Dioralyte if you're feeling health conscious or an orange Lucozade sport if you’re not. An omelette doesn’t go amiss either. As HR loves to organise a work do on a Wednesday, a sure way to cement heroine status in the office is to rock up the morning after with a box of donuts and some aspirin.   

Cover image credit: Pexels/RDNEStockProject