What to Wear to Your Office Holiday Party

Spiked eggnog, anybody?

green dress
(Image credit: Edward Berthelot)

It's office-holiday-party season, which means getting tipsy with your coworkers and getting dressed up. If your company has a theme (i.e. ugly Christmas sweaters), lucky. The rest of us will have to tread the waters between casual Friday and big-meeting-with-my-boss. After all, you do want to feel a little fancy for that group photo booth picture.

Since you'll likely spend the day at the office before heading off to the bar or your boss's house, we found six outfits that pass the 9-to-5 test, while incorporating some seasonally-appropriate sparkle.

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What to Wear With Leather Pants

leather pants outfit

(Image credit: Net-a-porter/H&M/Aritzia/Design by Morgan McMullen)

For a special alternative to jeans, try leather pants. (Don't worry, you won't end up like Ross in that one episode of Friends.) Leather bottoms are already a statement look, so you can simply throw on a sweater and call it a day. Dress up your edgy pants with fancy heels and accessories. And, don't forget to cover up with a puffer jacket. It'll be cold after the hot toddy runs out.

Shop the pieces: 1. Vince wool coat, $795; 2. H&M sweater, $30; 3. Aritzia leather pants, $148; 4. Isabel Marant sandals, $875

What to Wear With a Suit

suit outfit

(Image credit: Net-a-porter/H&M/Reformation/Design by Morgan McMullen)

This blush pink velvet pantsuit set from Frame has #bosswoman written all over it. Instead of skipping an undershirt (as celebs and street style stars tend to do), keep it work-appropriate by styling a cream satin blouse underneath. A pop of leopard print keeps the ensemble playful but fierce while coordinating blush heels give you that fashion-girl monochrome look.

Shop the pieces: 1. The Line by K top, $160; 2. Frame velvet blazer, $575; 3. Frame velvet pants, $325; 4. H&M gold earrings, $8; 5. Miu Miu pouch, $240; 6. Reformation heel, $218

What to Wear With a Dress

dress outfit

(Image credit: The Arrivals/Net-a-porter/Nordstrom/Zara/Shopbop/Design by Morgan McMullen)

For the daredevils who plan to wear a dress without tights (!), choose one with long sleeves and a longer hemline like this one from The Line by K. It'll protect you briefly from the winter elements as you make your way through the doors. A teddy coat—one of the season's It outerwear—will keep you warm and cozy while a pair of lace-up ankle boots shield your feet from the frigid air (and keep things conservative). Finish off with sparkly silver drop earrings and a crossbody bag.

Shop the pieces: 1.The Arrivals Koda II, $1,395; 2. The Line by K dress, $225; 3. Baublebar drop earrings, $36; 4. Zara lace boots, $90; 5. Kate Spade New York bag, $298

What to Wear With Tights

tights outfit

(Image credit: Saks Fifth Avenue/Shopbop/J.Crew/Net-a-porter/Fendi/Design by Morgan McMullen)

Since leggings and sweats aren't viable party attire options around the boss, your next best thing is tights. The bottoms can be tricky to style, but a foolproof outfit is to wear it with a blazer dress, Meghan Markle style. This check option called "peggy plaid" with four side buttons contains just enough intrigue without making you feel uncomfortable.

Shop the pieces: 1. Parker blazer dress, $203, 2. Lizzie Fortunato earring, $195; 3. J.Crew black tights, $20; 4. Balenciaga boots, $1,490; 5Fendi handbag, $2,790

What to Wear With a Metallic Skirt

metallic skirt outfit

(Image credit: H&M/ Saks Fifth Avenue/Shopbop/Mejuri/&Other Stories/Design by Morgan McMullen)

A metallic skirt is one of the most festive pieces you can wear. Not a fan of solid silver or gold? Go for a deep print like this Tanya Taylor skirt. The skirt's asymmetrical gold foil pattern and hint of shimmer say, "I'm ready to party." Wear with a black sweater that says "but I still know you're my coworkers." Pull it all together with a layered gold necklaces and black ankle booties.

Shop the pieces: 1. H&M sweater, $25; 2. Frame trench coat, $2,495; 3. Tanya Taylor skirt, $297; 4. Maria Black necklace, $205; 5. Mejuri necklace, $285; 6. & Other Stories ankle boots, $179

What to Wear With Mules

mules outfit

(Image credit: Zara/Nordstrom/Missoma/Shopbop/Sergio Rossi/Design by Morgan McMullen)

Heels sound like a great idea, until you're three drinks in and trying to dance to "Señorita." Save yourself the blisters and sore toes on Friday morning by opting to walk into the party in flats. Pick a pair with embellishments (flats don't have to be boring!) and wear a glittery dress to show off your black fancy footwear.

Shop the pieces: 1. Zara double-breasted coat, $219; 2. Ulla Johnson dress, $645; 3. Missoma earrings, $115; 4. L'Afshar bag, $990; 5. Sergio Rossi x Rosie Assoulin shoes, $750

What to Wear With a Jumpsuit

jumpsuit outfit

(Image credit: Nordstrom/The Outnet/Corita/Net-a-porter/Shopbop/Design by Morgan McMullen)

A sequined jumpsuit is my secret weapon for looking dressy with minimal styling efforts. I just throw it on and add a pair of festive gold studs. Okay...I'm kind of lazy, but the jumpsuit is already the sleekest, most put-together look I could ask for. Complete it with a classic belted furry coat, then go the extra mile, slipping some color into your ensemble with a happy holiday hue like red.

Shop the pieces: 1. Vince belted coat, $595; 2. Iris & Ink x Julia Restoin Roitfeld jumpsuit, $230; 3. Corita earring, $88; 4. Bottega Veneta clutch, $2,350; 5. Sam Edelman heels, $84

Marina Liao
Fashion Editor

Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at MarieClaire.com, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's also had many opportunities to write content in other areas such as beauty, food, tech, and even home. Her previous fashion stints include POPSUGAR and Cosmopolitan.