What do you wear to an office Christmas party or another holiday party? An office-style holiday party outfit should be both festive and work appropriate — but, what does holiday casual dress mean?
What's considered appropriate is up to your office. Likewise, the type of party your company is hosting is going to help you determine the type of outfit you'll wear. For example, you wouldn't wear an ugly Christmas sweater to a black-tie event at a venue, but you might wear one to the office's kitchen pizza party.
Whatever the case, here are 31 holiday party outfit ideas to inspire your wardrobe.
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1. Holiday Sweater
There are tons of holiday sweaters on store displays once the colder months come around. Pick up a Santa sweater, one with Hanukkah candles or even snowflakes to show your holiday spirit.
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2. Fun Ears
The holidays summon thoughts of reindeer and elves for some of us. Pick up some reindeer or elf ears and pair them with any typical work outfit or a holiday sweater.
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3. Holiday Tie
Holiday-themed ties and bowties with Christmas lights, snowmen and Santas abound during December especially. Pair a button-down top with a holiday tie for a festive touch.
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4. Holiday Earrings
Pick up some ornament or holly earrings to wear with any dress or shirt-pant combo during the holidays.
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5. Holiday Colors
Wear reds and greens and blues during the holidays to show Christmas and Hanukkah spirit without having to go all out.
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6. A Glitter Dress
The holidays are often a glittery time — there are glittery ornaments, there's glittery gift wrapping paper and there's even glittery snow outside. Jump on the bandwagon with a glittery dress.
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7. A Holiday Blouse & Slacks
Find yourself a holiday-inspired blouse and pair it with work slacks to spruce up an everyday outfit.
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8. Jeans & a T-Shirt
If your office is casual (and if your company is hosting a casual party at the office), you can get away with wearing jeans and a tee during a holiday party — even if not so casual, you're not really on the clock.
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9. Holiday Socks
If you don't feel like going all out, the least you can do is throw on some penguin or snowflake socks.
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10. Holiday Necklace
Up the festivity behind any outfit with a holiday necklace — like one with an ornament, a tree or even a mistletoe.
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11. Holiday Hat
You can wear a Santa hat or Menorah hat to show your festive side during the holidays. A hat is easy to take on and off if you're not feeling the festivities after a while, too.
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12. A Bell-Sleeved Dress or Blouse
Bell sleeves are a fun way to dress up an ordinary work outfit during the holidays.
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13. A Sequin Skirt
Like glitter, sequins scream fun. Have some fun during the holidays and at your holiday office party with a sequin skirt.
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14. A Faux Fur Jacket Over a Work Outfit
Instead of wearing your normal blazer or work jacket over your outfit, throw on some faux fur for a more fun evening.
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15. A Midi Dress
A midi dress will take you from the office to the office party. Wear a red, green or blue one for added holiday spirit.
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16. An Off-the-Shoulder Dress
Most offices deem an off-the-shoulder dress as inappropriate for work. But a holiday office party is usually another case. Now is your chance to whip out that off-the-shoulder dress you've been wanting to wear.
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17. A Velvet Dress
Velvet is a fun fabric during the winter months when it's colder outside. It's also a festive fabric for the holidays.
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18. An All-Black Jumpsuit
You can never go wrong with all black. Try a jumpsuit if you don't typically wear them to work.
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19. A Sweater Dress
Sweater dresses are comfortable and appropriate, which means that you can wear one at the office and straight to the party after hours.
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20. A Wrap Dress
A wrap dress can be dressed up or down with the right shoes. It's a safe style to wear from the office to your party, too.
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21. An Ugly Christmas Sweater
If your office has the humor for it, consider getting yourself an ugly Christmas sweater. There are tons of them on the internet on sites like Tipsy Elves or My Ugly Christmas Sweater.
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22. A Holiday Pantsuit
A holiday pantsuit is a bold move. You're sure to get high fives from co-workers in a show-stopping red pantsuit, for example.
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23. A Holiday Blazer
Spruce up any normal work outfit with a blazer printed with snowflakes, Christmas trees or even just red or green satin bows.
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24. A T-Shirt Dress
If your office is casual, consider a T-shirt dress for a happy medium between the everyday and party time.
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25. A Sweater and Jeans
You can pair any sweater — an ugly Christmas sweater or a regular sweater — with jeans if your office is super casual, too.
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26. A Blouse with Slacks
You don't need to dress up in any specific way for your holiday Christmas party, unless it's otherwise stated (if it's black-tie or if you're supposed to wear an ugly sweater, for examples). You're welcome to wear your usual blouse and slacks like you would any other day, too.
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27. A Plaid Dress
Perhaps plaid is a staple of the holidays because its color scheme often includes reds and greens. A plaid dress (or skirt) is an inherently festive option for any holiday party.
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28. Holiday Stockings
Pair any dress or skirt with a pair of holiday-inspired stockings to up your festivity factor.
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29. Holiday Tights
If your office is casual, you can find tons of holiday-inspired leggings to pair with an oversized holiday sweater or, really, any top.
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30. A Lace Blouse
A lace blouse is always an option for a party, as you can dress it up or down with a skirt or a pair of slacks.
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31. A Lace Dress
If your office is hosting a fancier holiday party, consider a lace dress instead of a lace blouse.
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AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about women’s empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram @her_report,
