Dress to Impress: What to Wear to Your Company Holiday Party
With holiday party season in full swing, knowing what to wear can save you from the embarrassment of a wardrobe malfunction.
From low cut fronts to high hemlines, an unfortunate outfit at a work party can have a ripple effect for years to come.
You're smart, successful and experienced, and party or not you still want to look professional. Dress to impress by following these 9 simple rules...
Think Twice About Low Cut Fronts
No matter how casual your office may be, work events are not the place to flash the flesh so forget about anything strapless or low cut. Your cleavage, however fabulous it may be, is best left covered up as baring all at the holiday party is not going to get you the kind of attention you deserve. The last thing you want is to be chatting to the boss and wondering why you can't seem to catch their eye.
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Avoid Super Short Hemlines
Super short hemlines are another big no-no. That perfect little black dress that you had your eye on needs to be long enough to cover your tush when you sit down. You don't want to spend the whole evening tugging on your skirt like a teenager. If you do decide to wear a short skirt or dress then keep it tasteful by teaming it with a long sleeve blouse or sweater up top and some gorgeous hosiery down below. Which leads up to our next tip...
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Perfect Your Pins With Hosiery
Winter is not the time for bare legs. Luckily this season hosiery is on every best dressed list, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from when selecting what to wear to accentuate your pins. From lacy to opaque you needn't worry about finding a pair to match your outfit.
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Go Easy On The Glitter and Sparkles
Everyone thinks that the holidays are the perfect occasion to wear that sparkly dress, but the truth is it probably isn't. Don't get me wrong, I love glitter and sparkles, but they're too much for a corporate party. In moderation however, such as a belt or clutch, sparkles can be perfectly acceptable, but the rule of thumb is classic and appropriate.
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Steer Clear of Sheer
When done right sheer can be incredibly flattering and elegant, but unfortunately your holiday party is not the time for this fabric to shine. The problem with sheer is how it looks in bright light. Holiday parties are rife with people snapping pics to document the end of year celebrations, and when you wear sheer it'll be your undergarments stealing the limelight. Celebrities make this mistake all the time and it's a surefire way to land yourself on the worst dressed list.
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Leave The Santa Hat At Home
Don't make the mistake of going overboard with your outfit to the point that it becomes costumey. Just because it is a holiday party, doesn't mean that you have to cheapen yourself and your standards in the name of fun. You may think that dressing up as a sexy Santa's helper topped off with a Santa hat is a good idea, but trust me it isn't. What you choose to wear isn't a superficial decision. It sends a message to your boss and co-workers about your personality outside of the office, so make sure that's a positive one.
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Vamp Up The Volume With Sexy Shoes
A sexy pair of heels elongate your legs and add a hint of sex appeal without having to bare all. You don't have to wear 5 inch heels to get an demure look either. A simple small heel with a pop of color can do wonders for your outfit and can be great to tie in any other colored accessories.
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Keep Your Makeup Light and Bright
Heavily laden makeup makes us look older and takes away that youthful glow which isn't something anyone want, especially when trying to impress at the holiday party. That being said, you can get away with more if you're attending an evening function. A clean face with a hint of blush and a bright lip is all you will need to shine and look beautiful.
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Finish The Look With Statement Jewelry
For that extra wow factor add a special piece of statement jewelry to transform a simple look into a style statement. Accessories are the perfect opportunity to get creative and show off your personality, and this year the stores are loaded with bold jewelry as the trend is stronger than ever, so go bold or go home.
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Your Turn...
Just because you need to pay special attention when putting together your holiday party outfit it doesn't mean that you have to dress like a nun. The trick is to beware of anything that you would wear for a regular Saturday night out with the girls and instead opt for something a little more classic and sophisticated.
What tips have you got when it comes to what to wear for your holiday party? Share with us in the comments below...