Dressing for the Holiday Work Function 

Holiday parties and other work-related functions are both a blessing and a curse this time of the year.  One can count on co-workers getting drunk, making a pass at the male or female “hottie” from the office and plenty of folks kissing up to the boss.  You can also count on people wearing the most outrageous and unacceptable attire.  So what should you wear to a company holiday function? 

For Men During the Day 

If the holiday function is during the day, it is best to wear what you wear to work if the invitation does not say anything special.  That means if you wear a suit normally during the day, then wear a suit.  If you usually wear business casual, then do the same but it is always a good idea to at least bring a sport jacket or blazer.  Do not wear jeans, work-out attire or sneakers even if those are the things you normally wear during the day.  Avoid the funny Santa hats, reindeer antlers and ties that play “Jingle Bells”.  That is not how you want the boss – and her boss to remember you. 

For Men During the Evening 

If the holiday function is in the evening, the invitation may say business attire or formal attire.  If it says business attire and you have a very casual office, then you may be able to wear a sport jacket, shirt and tie and dress (not cotton khakis) trousers with non-sport shoes (and NO sandals).  You are safest for evening “business attire” wearing a dark suit.  Dress as if you are going to an appointment with an important client and not like a teenager’s first job interview.  Take the time to look right and together.  Make sure you suit is clean and pressed, that your tie is clean and press too and that your shirt is clean and crisp looking.  Polish your shoes.  And again, no Santa hats, reindeer antlers and ties that play “Jingle Bells”.  You want to make a good impression with your co-workers, your boss and her boss too. 

For formal attire, you can often get by with the dark business suit, a white dress shirt and serious looking tie with dress shoes.  Ideally, for formal attire, you are going to need to wear a tuxedo with a white shirt (no ruffles please) and a black bow tie.  Polished black dress shoes are acceptable unless you own patent leather formal shoes (ideally slip-ons with grosgrain bows).  Remember, no powder blue suits, spinning Santa ties or holly motif shirts.  Simplicity is elegance. 

For Women During the Day 

If the Holiday function is during the day, the attire rules for the women are the same as the men.  If you wear suits to work – either with a skirt or slacks – then wear the same to the Company Holiday party during the day.  You can dress it up with very good shoes (heels NOT flip-flops) and a bit better jeweler than you would normally wear – but nothing overwhelming for the event.  A holiday themed pin is acceptable for women but not encourages.  And please no reindeer pins that light up or play songs digitally.  In lieu of a suit, a business cut skirt (dark) and a dress blouse with or without a pin also works for daytime events.  Again with the good dress shoes.  The skirt can be replace by a pair of dark, business cut slacks worn with dressy shoes.  As with men, no workout attire, non running shoes, nothing “cute” and no, No, NO! Flip-flops.  If skirts are worn, remember to wear stockings – it is not the middle of summer. 

For Women During the Evening 

For many companies, the evening Holiday function is a place to see and be seen.  Dressing well is something many women thing about long before December.  There are three different types of attire that can pass based on how formal the evening is noted as in the invitation.  If the event is right after work, then attire mentioned for the daytime event may be appropriate – a suit with a skirt or slacks and a dressy blouse with the addition of tasteful jewelry and good shoes (read that as heels).  For the more formal function during the week, a dress may be appropriate.  It should be conservative and tasteful unless you are in a glamour industry (in which case you don’t need to read this).  Match the dress with heels and stockings, pearls and a pin or other simple jewelry.  No short skirts or plunging necklines please.  Again, you want to impress you boss and her boss with what a brilliant employee you are, not sleep with her husband. 

Finally, if it says “formal” and is held at a private venue in the evening – and probably during the weekend, then the sky is the limit.  You had best go shopping now if you have not already.  A couple of points to remember.  What you wear should be conservative, it should be classic, it should say that you are educated and success and it should be something that you can wear again in the future.  Do not forget the pearls.  You can wear a little more jewels.  And no matter what, do not wear anything with a holiday theme or with red and green in it.  You might as well be standing by Santa at the mall if you do that.

 

George F. Franks, III is the President and Principal Consultant with Franks Consulting Group which offers career, business and nonprofit organization consulting services. Their web site is:

www.franksconsultinggroup.com