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Office party outfit: men’s and women’s business attire.

The perfect work party outfit

Office parties are the perfect opportunity to celebrate successes with your colleagues, to exchange ideas and to spend quality time together away from your daily work routine. However, finding the right outfit for an office party can pose quite a challenge. You may ask yourself what to wear to an office party so that you are neither over- nor underdressed. After all, despite their jovial atmosphere, summer parties and Christmas parties at the office are still official events and you should maintain a certain level of professionalism. In this article, we will give you some useful tips and outfit inspiration to help you choose an office party outfit to suit the occasion, location and dress code of your event.

Elegant office party outfits for men and women.

Work party dress code: an outfit to suit the occasion and location

Before you start planning your office party outfit, you should take a closer look at the invitation. It usually gives you important information about what you should wear. Generally, the invitation will tell you about the occasion, the location, the programme and possibly also prescribe a dress code.

What are the different office dress codes for work events?

In a professional context, the most common dress codes are ‘business attire’, ‘business casual’ and ‘smart casual’. Each of these dress codes has its own fashion guidelines. If the invitation already tells you what the prescribed dress code is, then it will make finding a suitable outfit a lot easier.

  • Business attire (also ‘business professional’ or ‘business formal’) is the most formal dress code and is common in conservative industries. However, some companies, where the daily dress code is more casual, may want a more formal dress code for special events.

  • Business casual describes a slightly more laid back yet still professional business look. This style is suitable for office party outfits in a lot of different industries and for various occasions.

  • Smart casual is a dress code that gives you the most freedom to express your own personal style. However, this makes it harder to find an outfit that is suitable for the specific event. A general rule of thumb is to avoid flashy, bold prints or over-the-top cuts. Also, avoid outfits that are too casual or revealing.

There are other dress codes which your company may prefer, such as ‘festive-elegant’ or ‘come as you are’. If you are not sure about the dress code, you can talk to your colleagues or briefly ask the organisers. This can be helpful, especially for theme parties or active team-building events.

Some companies do not prescribe a fixed dress code. In this case, it is helpful to consider the context in which the party will take place.

Stylish business-casual office party outfits.

Work party outfits according to the corporate identity of your workplace

The corporate identity of your company plays a central role in finding a suitable outfit for your office party. If your company has a conservative image, they will likely expect you to wear serious, formal business attire. The more festive the occasion, the more elegant your outfit can be. On the other hand, in more creative companies or start-ups, your outfit can be more casual and individualistic. This means that you can opt for smart-casual looks, or even neat but trendy casual outfits.

Work party outfits according to the occasion

Which outfit you choose will be heavily influenced by the type of upcoming event. For example, it could be an official company jubilee being celebrated with business partners and customers. If this is the case, the dress code will be more formal and will require a sophisticated and elegant outfit. If, on the other hand, your company has planned to only celebrate with its employees, for example a summer party or Christmas party, your choice of outfit can be less formal, but it should still be professional. For team building events with sporting activities, you will need more comfortable, functional clothing, as you would certainly feel out of place in a suit or elegant dress. Nevertheless, even at informal events, you should always look neat and tidy.

Work party outfits according to the event location

The event location will also influence which office party outfit is most suitable. If your office party is scheduled to take place in an upscale restaurant, a formal dress code will be most appropriate. A casual dress code is suitable for a party in a more cosy, rustic location. For an outdoor summer party, you should also bring weatherproof clothing (such as a mackintosh and a change of shoes) to match your smart office party outfit, which you can fall back on in an emergency.

Tip

With strict dress codes such as business attire, it can be a challenge to match your outfit to the current season. After all, nobody wants to be sweating in a suit at a summer party or freezing in a shift dress at a Christmas party. A general rule of thumb is to choose good quality garments made of materials that are either airy and breathable (e.g. jackets or blazers made of linen or seersucker) or soft and warm (e.g. virgin wool or cashmere) to suit the season. Another great tip is to layer your clothing. This allows you to take off or put on a layer depending on the temperature (e.g. tights, cardigans, jumpers, coats).

The perfect work party outfit for women

A well-curated office party outfit will give you the opportunity to express your personal style and still look professional. In the following article, you will find various ideas for stylish outfits for your office party for women:

An elegant and formal work party outfit for women.

Formal work party outfits for women

For occasions such as an office jubilee or an event in an upscale location, we recommend a classic, knee-length dress (e.g. a shift dress) in muted colours such as black, navy blue or emerald green. A stylish trouser suit or a modern jumpsuit are chic alternatives that look sophisticated and elegant. Dainty jewellery, a clutch and smart pumps or ankle boots will complement your look and add stylish accents without looking over the top.

A woman wearing a stylish smart-casual office party outfit.

Business-casual work party outfits for women

For business-casual office party outfits, women can opt for a two-piece combination or a smart dress. You can style blouses or fine knit jumpers with chic trousers or a knee-length skirt. Use a blazer or good quality cardigan as a layering piece. Add elegant, flat shoes and dainty accessories to create a stylish yet comfortable outfit that is ideal for after-work events or office parties.

A woman wearing a chic smart-casual dress for an office party.

Smart-casual work party outfits for women

A summer gathering, a cosy Christmas celebration or a casual office party are events that generally give you more freedom to express your own style. Flowing dresses, blouse and skirt combinations or a jumper with trousers are all great options for this dress code. Even bold colours or subtle patterns are options which allow you to really express your personality. Nonetheless, you should still follow the basic rules of business attire and avoid transparent fabrics, skin-tight cuts and garments that are too revealing.

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Work party outfits for women:
Tip

For outdoor team building events or sporting activities, you should pay particular attention to comfortable clothing that allows you to move about when choosing your office party outfit. For this purpose, loose jeans or well-fitting trousers paired with a polo shirt or comfortable T-shirt are ideal. Practical, weatherproof shoes and a light jacket will complete your outfit and ensure that you feel completely at ease even during sporting activities.

The right office party outfit for men

Depending on the dress code and occasion, men also have different options to choose from to suit not only the occasion, but also their personal style.

A suit is a great office party outfit for men.

Formal work party outfits for men

For formal occasions or a festive atmosphere, a classic suit in dark colours such as black, grey or navy blue is always a stylish choice. A well-tailored jacket with matching trousers, combined with a plain shirt and a discreet tie, will guarantee an elegant and professional look. Leather shoes and a belt in a matching colour will complement your formal office party outfit for men.

A man wearing a stylish business-casual office party outfit.

Business-casual work party outfits for men

For business-casual events such as year-end parties or after-work events, classic business attire with a casual twist is a great option. You can pair well-fitting chinos or trousers with a button-up shirt or a light knitted jumper to create an office party outfit that looks professional but still has a laid back air to it. You won’t need a tie for a business casual look. However, we do recommend wearing a blazer to festive occasions.

A man wearing a fashionable smart-casual office party outfit.

Smart-casual work party outfits for men

For informal office parties, a smart-casual look that leaves more room for your personal style is ideal. A good quality pair of jeans or chinos paired with a shirt, polo shirt or fine knit jumper looks laid back yet stylish. With a smart-casual dress code, you can also opt for bolder colours and patterns to give your office party outfit a personal touch.

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Work party outfits for men:
Work party outfit ideas for men and women.

Work party outfits: dos and don’ts

If your workplace specifies a specific dress code in the invitation, it is best to stick to it. This will help you avoid fashion faux pas and you will be appropriately dressed for the occasion. However, even if no dress code is specified, you should always bear in mind that even informal office events are still official occasions at which you should look neat and tidy. When putting together your outfit for your office party, you can use the following tips as a guide:

Work party outfits: dos

  • Classic silhouettes: simple, classic cuts look elegant and professional. Some typical business must-haves are blouses, shirts, blazers and jackets. These can be styled to match different dress codes which makes them suitable for a lot of office events and various business looks.

  • Understated colours: muted colours look sophisticated and can be combined well. Muted tones such as blue, grey and black are suitable for particularly formal occasions. On the other hand, soft pastel colours are ideal for summer parties, whilst more vibrant jewel tones are popular for Christmas parties.

  • Minimalist styling: it goes without saying that even for a casual dress code, a well-groomed appearance is essential. Your clothes should be clean, wrinkle-free and fit well. Your hairstyle, make-up and accessories can enhance your office party outfit. However, they should be dainty and understated.

Work party outfits: don’ts

  • Casual looks: even at casual events, you should still look professional. Casual leisurewear such as tracksuit pants, hoodies or tank tops are a no-go.

  • Bright colours: bold patterns and bright colours are generally not appropriate in a professional environment and attract too much attention.

  • Loose-fitting clothing: it goes without saying that office party outfits should never be too revealing. This also applies to summer parties or casual office gatherings.

Conclusion: find the perfect work party outfit with our tips

Finding the right outfit for an office party can be quite a challenge. There are a lot of different types of events that get celebrated in the workplace and not all of them have a clearly defined dress code. However, if you keep our tips in mind, you are sure to find the right office party outfit. In a nutshell, you can use the corporate image of your company as a guide, as your everyday office dress code is a good indication of what to wear to special events. The type of event, the programme and the location are also good indicators of what the perfect office party outfit could be. Finally, you should consider the season and layer your clothing if it is cold. To be on the safe side, you can also ask your colleagues what they are planning on wearing.

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The image sources in this text are in chronological order:

Cover photo: Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com
All other images in text: C&A