Office Holiday Party Wardrobe Wisdom

First and foremost when choosing your outfit, you must remember one simple guideline: an office holiday party is not really a party at all, in fact, it is a work function.

Forbes comments,

 The wrong outfit–which might include a too-short skirt, backless dress or low-cut top–will quickly make you the subject of unwanted stares and gossip, especially during times when employees are being looked at under a corporate microscope.

Here are a few of my tips to keep your wardrobe “work appropriate” this holiday season:

1. Avoid Crazy Patterns – Yes, you want to be the best dressed for your holiday work party, but unfortunately there isn’t a best dressed award. On the other hand there isn’t a worst dressed award either, avoid crazy patterns such as animal prints, keep it professional and tame.
2. If you think it’s too short, then it probably is – It’s the worst when you find what you think to be the perfect dress, then try it on and it seems to be just too short in length. If you have any doubt in your mind that your dress truly is “too short,” then skip it. For work parties, I like to use the knee length rule.
3. Think sophisticated – Avoid anything with too much sparkle to a work function. Wear one solid color and keep it limited to one – remember classy and simple is key. You don’t want people to remember you from the holiday party because of what you wore to it.  Save the sparkle for social gatherings.
4. Avoid tight fitting clothing- This is the one that get me more than other, avoid anything that you might wear if you were going out with a few girlfriends, keep it work appropriate. I like to think, “could I wear this to work on a regular workday.” Always be more conservative than you think you need to be.

Want a few more tips? Check out 5 Rules to Remember In Style and In Life .