THANK YOU! What to Wear to Boyfriend's Work Christmas Party?

Updated on December 04, 2010
A.J. asks from Lewisville, TX
24 answers

Hi Ladies!

My boyfriend and I have been dating for a little over 2 years now and he asked me to go with him to his Company Christmas Party. I have no clue what is appropriate to wear, makeup, shoes, accessories? He said it is business casual but I know ladies usually dress up accessory wise for these kinds of things and I'm a plain jane t shirt and jeans kind of gal.

What have you worn to Christmas parties? Belts, Scarves, Jewelry, Hats, Headbands, Hairstyles, Holiday pins, etc?

I'm thinking about wearing a 3/4 sleeve light grey fine knit tailored sweater (close fitting) with a v neck that stops a few inches below my collar bone (no cleavage) and a pair of tailored black/grey pinstriped dress slacks with black high-heeled ankle boots (but honestly you don't see the heels or ankle of the boots under the slacks)

My profile pic will show you what I look like, any fashion advice will be appreciated!

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So What Happened?

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT ADVICE... I had a blast! I was very tempted to go for a dress or skirt but it was cold here that night.

The party was held at House of Blues in Dallas so at the last minute I changed the top and decided to go for a funky black and white print tee with a tiny bit o' cleavage and rhinestone embellishments on the neck. I also chose a comfortable but funky bangle and some simple earrings. Most of all I felt very confident, thanks to all your wonderful compliments. I think I needed that maybe more than the fashion advice and didn't realize it! I was asking for advice on fashion because I wasn't sure I'd fit in or make a good impression for my boyfriend.

As it turns out, my smile was the accessory I received the most compliments on that evening. Bless you all and I hope you have a sassy christmas!

Featured Answers

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J.C.

answers from New York on

I think what you plan to wear is great. add some makeup and jewelry and you'll be set. When going to an office christmas party, conservstive is always the smart move.

3 moms found this helpful

M.3.

answers from St. Louis on

I personally would wear a cute dress, I have seen some really cute ones out lately, casual/dressy dress, not too dressy though. Black panty hose, black dressy boots or heels, a pretty necklace, plain earrings to match. Cute scarf if you have one that matches! Being in a dress always makes you look dressed up, but a casual dress will make you look comfortable and not over done. I LOVE dressing up, can ya tell? Casual though, not formal.

3 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

What you suggest sounds fine, but I would suggest a little holiday color accent to break up the profesisonal grey. That's a nice profile pic (the new one)!

1 mom found this helpful

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Instead of the slacks how about a black skirt, black tights and tall boots? You could even do your ankle boots. And then add a statement necklace.

6 moms found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Okay, well maybe I"m in the minority here, but I say that yes, b/c it's business casual and your BF's work, you do want to be simple...BUT you still want to look a tiny bit sexy! I mean your BF wants to show you off and meet his work peeps...so of course don't go all slutty but I think the top you described sounds great! Pair it with maybe a cute black skirt and some heels or some tighter fitting pants. Or wear the pants with a tighter shirt and maybe just a bit of cleavage. I say go with either the top half or bottom half that reveals just a little (not both, that goes towards sluttsville) of the goods! ;) Yes accessorize with necklaces, bracelets, etc. if you're comfortable with it. Sounds fun! I love Christmas parties and it can be a little nerve wracking to go to the office one for the first time but just feel good and you'll look good too! If you're not sure, go to a store you like and get help from a salesperson...they really do know what they're talking about and you don't have to buy everything they suggest...! ;)

4 moms found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

oh my gosh you are so cute! Your outfit sounds good, you could add a scarf. OR it's a great reason to wear a black dress with boots/scarf? But most of all, make sure your comfy.

3 moms found this helpful
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D.F.

answers from Boston on

Listen, Your really cute and it looks like you have curves! Why not a little black dress or a little red one! Or add a skirt and tights and boots to you sweater! Wear makeup , get your hair done! I say with your looks you can really wow your bf and the staff! Without going overboard of course...he hehe

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Your profile pic is Pippi Longstocking, lol. I think what you are wearing is great, but you might leave the monkey and the striped stockings for another occasion. ;)
Have fun!

3 moms found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Sounds good but safe. I would either go with a skirt with your sweater as others have suggested or instead of a grey sweater, some color--like an emerald green, burgundy, even turquoise.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds great! Add a little jewelry bling and you should look fantastic!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Boise on

Doesn't look like you overdo the makeup or jewelry on a daily basis, so keep that, and go with the outfit you picked out. It sounds great. Everyone will vary. You don't say what type of company it is, but mine have gotten less and less big with the economy, so right now, less is more, and you are there to mingle and enjoy. So, don't overthink it, and just be yourself.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You outfit sounds great! Especially for company parties you want to be conservative and classy. Go easy on the make up. It should be a fresh natural look without looking over done or a painted lady. A little sparkle jewelry wise is fine for a Christmas party (I don't mean flashing LED Christmas lights earrings, but there's one in every crowd that will wear them anyway). Stay away from sexy in any work environment and/or function. It's not appropriate.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.W.

answers from Amarillo on

I went to a party a few years ago that said the dress was 'business casual'. I was like you and had no clue what to wear. I opted for something similar to what I would wear to church--a modest dress with tights and tall boots. I was wrong!!! But one girl there got it exactly right. She wore a drapey silver sparkly sweater-tunic, black tights, and funky flats. Her jewlery was awesome too. This was at least 4 years ago and I still remember what she was wearing. So, I'm saying opt for a little closer to what you would wear for date night instead of church :)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Boston on

That sounds great. Dress it up with some jewelry and I'm sure it will be perfect.

The most important thing that you can wear is confidence. If you go in feeling like you're looking good and wearing the right thing, than, honestly, unless you engage in some huge fashion faux pas, that's all anyone's going to remember.

Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.!

Here is the link to one of my favorite fashion blogs. She just did posts on holiday party outfits and affordable options to get there. You may have to scroll back a couple of days, but it hopefully will be really helpful for you!

http://thestir.cafemom.com/column/shes_still_got_it

I love to look stylish and cute, but I do not naturally keep up with all that stuff or spend much time shopping for clothes so this blog has been great to keep me up to date on what's in style!

God's Grace to you,

Lisa :)

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Pretty black slacks or skirt and a nice red blouse. A pretty chunky necklace and earrings, nice heels.... usually what I wear to these kinds of things.

I love the idea of your outfit, though maybe too much grey? Is it light grey or charcoal... if it's all light grey, I would wear a black skirt or something. Add a pretty necklace... maybe something like this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55248074/corabelle-coral-flow...

or this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/30104216/big-ball-statement-n...

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Bwahahahahahah! Bethany C.. You are a hoot girl!

A., you are beautiful! What a fabulous smile.. remember men love legs.. so what ever you choose show the legs.. I bet you look great in colors.. so consider red up by your face..

Simple but a little sexy. Have fun..

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

Business casual is so vague, but anticipate that the men will wear khakis and something collared with some donning sport coats.

Women will be highly varied... from shift dresses with heels to khakis and a sweater. You have a great base for a holiday party, but add some sparkle! Because you will be in primarily winter colors, add some metalics for texture and brightness.

Go to Claire's (or somewhere similar) and layer some silver necklaces in various lengths and patterns OR find a really cool pin (nothing blatantly holiday) with rhinestones and wear it high up on your shoulder (think Carrie Bradshaw). Add a simple pair of earrings and you're all set. Go "light" on the makeup and perfume, but remember to use hand lotion b/c you will be meeting people all night who have "heard so much about you"!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

sounds perfect!!

don't overdo makeup or perfume (look natural) but where enough jewelry to add some sparkle and be festive

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Add a sparkly (but tasteful!) necklace (or scarf) and bracelet OR earrings (2 items) and you'll be perfect!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think I would do something simple, like what you are describing, and then add just a little bit of christmas sparkle somehow.

Your post reminded me of when I went to a guy's office party. I asked him what to wear and he said casual. So I went casual. HAH! There were guys in suits and women in evening dresses. It was pretty posh and fancy and I was absolutely the Cinderella there. (the Cinderella at home working, not the fairy godmother fixed up one)

I actually thought it was funny because he was a dweeb and this only proved it. HELP a girl out, will ya fella? I don't think that will happen to you because your BF wouldn't be a loser. LOL Thanks for the humorous memories today.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

What you've described sounds perfect! You want to look nice but avoid anything too revealing since it's work event. If I was told business casual, I'd wear a nice sweater and dress slacks, just as you've described. Go simple with jewelry and perfume and you'll be fine.

1 mom found this helpful

S.H.

answers from Spokane on

I think what you have picked out is a very safe decision! You will look nice without overdoing it. Hope you have a very nice time!!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Wear what you mentioned dress it up a little wear a necklace a little makeup lip gloss curl your hair part it as you would & if you like to pin it back with some cute barrettes.If your into other jewerly a bangle.I wear what I feel comfortable in, I do love to dress nice but sometimes with 3 kids wearing nice pants a shirt & some nice shoes I feel too overly done & besides that I hate to trip & fall on my rump wearing a heel chasing after them how embarassing that would be.

1 mom found this helpful
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