Q Help me, please. What is the perfect outfit for an office Christmas party that says "Cool and glamorous, but not looking to be groped by my boss"?
A Something strange happens to women and their wardrobes at Christmas. Instead of adding sparkle to classic pieces that work - a beautifully cut cocktail dress say, worn with killer heels- we suddenly gravitate towards Topshop.
There, in the lunch hour before the office party, we panic-buy something we will never wear again: a gold sequined sheath, or a silver mini dress in a size too small. The morning after, we realise our outfit was almost as embarrassing as the sales manager miming to "Womaniser" in his underpants.
Nevertheless, the next year we do it all over again.
So before you dress up in that skimpy micro-mini and go mad at the free bar, stop for a minute and think. As well as partying with the regular Friday night pub crew, you'll be under the eagle eye of the great and the good... the big wigs who decide whether you get promoted. So if you want to climb the social and work ladder, follow these top tips on how to survive the office do.
Women should avoid plunging necklines while men should resist the temptation to wear novelty ties. The "dress-iquette" for work parties recommends girls should opt for elegance while men should aim to be designer-style dapper. Short skirts and red dresses are out as they could intimidate wives and female colleagues - although an outfit with a low back is fine. The office party is an ideal time to show what an asset you are to the company by getting out of your nine-to-five outfits to show a bit of flair.
Follow these tips to make sure you don't find yourself applying for a new job in the New Year:
- Keep it low key - dress up too much and it'll look like the office party is the only night out you've had since last year.
- If you want to show off, use your accessories (nice watches for guys, a stylish bag for the ladies).
- Will you have a special role to play at this party? Are you accepting an award or making a speech? Dress up even more if this is the case: a pretty cocktail dress or stunning heels will do the trick.
- Depending on the company that you work for, jeans might be appropriate (given a more relaxed working environment). If they aren’t acceptable at normal times throughout the year, they aren’t acceptable at this party.
Essentially, be careful. Because your co-workers only see you in "work mode," it's tempting to go overboard with an outfit that says "this is who I really am!" But on Monday you'll be back in the office - hopefully with no regrets.
