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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

______________________________________________

Image sources in chronological order:

Cover photo: Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com
1. photo: rh2010 – stock.adobe.com
All other images in text: C&A