The holidays are already packed with enough stress—shopping, decorating, family plans—so when the work Christmas party sneaks up on your calendar, the last thing you want to worry about is what to wear. Finding the perfect balance between festive and office-friendly can feel tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve put together a roundup of my fave holiday office party looks ranging from casual to chic, so no matter what type of gathering you’re heading to, you’ll have something cute, practical, and stylish ready to go.
Casual vs. Chic: How to Choose the Right Outfit for a Work Christmas Party
Not all work holiday parties are created equal, and that’s exactly why knowing whether to lean casual or more formal makes all the difference. The vibe of the party should be your biggest clue.
Casual Settings:
Laid-back happy hours, office potlucks, or anything low-key, comfort with festive details works best. Outfits like a sweater paired with structured denim or a classic ugly Christmas sweater french tucked in a skater skirt are the perfect combo of playful, intentional, and easy to move in.
Semi-Formal/Formal Settings:
If the invite leans dressier for events at places like a cocktail lounge or an upscale dinner venue, you’ll want to elevate your Christmas party look. Pull on a luxe off-shoulder knit sweater and a satin midi skirt or wear a turtleneck sweater dress styled with rhinestone tights. Subtle hints of sparkle with nice quality fabrics and textures deliver festive glam without looking gaudy.
Do’s and Don’ts of What to Wear to a Work Christmas Party
- Do keep it office-appropriate. Even if it’s after hours, you’re still around coworkers and higher-ups. Sequins are fine, but keep your silhouette polished.
- Don’t overdo the theme. A festive touch is chic; a head-to-toe reindeer…not so much.
- Do add a little sparkle. Choosing a single piece—whether it be rhinestone tights or shoes, metallic fabrics, or sequined pieces, are all perfect ways to feel festive without being excessive.
- Don’t forget comfort. If you’ll spend most of the holiday office party standing and mingling or playing party games, lower heels, boots, or skirts with built-in shorts will be your best friends of the evening.
- Do play with color. Deep jewel tones (think emerald, ruby, etc.), metallics, or even a wine-red piece will give holiday vibes without being too loud.
- Do dress for the vibe. A casual happy hour calls for sweaters and denim, a sit-down formal dinner calls for satin and tailored pieces.
11 Festive Work Christmas Party Outfit Ideas (From Casual to Chic)
Cropped Wrap Sweater and Satin Midi Skirt
This look is soft, dreamy, and totally chic for the office holiday party. A long-sleeved white ribbed knit wrap crop sweater paired with a champagne satin midi skirt (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) gives you that effortlessly stylish mix of classy and cozy. Clear stilettos with rhinestone detailing (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) add just the right amount of sparkle, making this a gorgeous work Christmas party outfit.
Silk Wide-Leg Pants and Long-Sleeve Crewneck
Silk wide-leg dress pants in a metallic reddish-brown instantly give this festive outfit a luxe vibe without going over the top. Paired with a sleek white crewneck top and sparkly heels, (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) this festive, office-friendly look is polished and party ready.
Sequin Midi Skirt and Red Bow Heels
A classic white long-sleeved top keeps things simple and chic, while the silver sequin midi skirt (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) brings all the holiday sparkle. The red pointed-toe heels with their bow knot ankle detail really steal the show—stylish, festive, and just the right pop of color and glam for a Christmas party with the team.
Oversized Turtleneck Sweater Dress and Knee-High Boots
This elegant work Christmas party outfit is perfect for when the party calls for happy hour after! An oversized turtleneck sweater dress is a chic and cozy piece that’s so versatile. I paired the dress with rhinestone fishnet tights for a hint of festive edge. Pair the duo with some knee-high boots to keep you warm and comfy throughout the day.
Knit Sweater and Metallic Silk Pants
If you’re someone that’s not into bold holiday colors, this work outfit idea is going to be your Christmas party go-to. Instead of going for bright red, you can opt for a wine-red knit sweater for a classic and cozy vibe. Pair it with black metallic wide-leg silk trousers for a dressy touch, then finish the look with these silver beaded low heels (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) that are easy to walk in but still give you that extra height and glam.
Wrap Sweater and Wide-Leg Denim Jeans
A green wrap sweater styled with dark wash denim jeans gives subtle festive-meets-casual chic energy. The fabrics of the pieces are so comfy, keeping the overall look relaxed but put-together. Pointed-toe ankle boots add polish to the look, making this an effortlessly stylish work outfit to wear on repeat this holiday season.
Longline Cardigan and Faux Leather Leggings
This is a super cozy holiday outfit made for an office party—especially when you’re running late and need a cute, throw-on-and-go look! All you need to do is style a long knit burgundy cardigan layered over a matching long-sleeve turtleneck bodysuit, tucked into some faux leather leggings with knee-high boots.
Cropped Cardigan Jacket and Mini Skirt
An A-line mini skirt with sheer leggings and knee-high square-toe boots creates a stylish and neutral base, while the cropped cardigan jacket steals the show with its gold button details—plus,the satin bow accent brings a low-key festive moment to the look. Paired with a minimalistic crossbody bag, this holiday outfit with a neutral palette is a perfect work Christmas party look when you want something classy and comfy.
Fuzzy Sweater and Satin Mini Skirt
Mesh polka dot tights (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) paired with a satin mini skirt and knee-high boots make this outfit playful but polished. The red fuzzy sweater keeps you cute and warm while still leaning into a stylish but cozy vibe for a holiday office party look.
Oversized Balloon Sleeve Sweater and Wrap Skort
If you want to keep things cute and simple when styling a work Christmas party outfit, french tuck an oversized wine-red sweater into a white wrap skort. With sheer tights and knee-high boots, it’s a comfy last-minute festive look that still feels polished enough to wear on and off the clock.
Ugly Christmas Sweater and Skater Skirt
You really can’t have a work Christmas party outfit roundup without showing you how to make an ugly Christmas sweater stylish! Pair it with a matching skater skirt—I love how this one has built-in shorts, making it a super practical choice. Dress it up with some fun polka dot tights (this has since sold out, shop here for a similar style) and combat boots! It’s really the ultimate cute and casual festive look.
Chic and Festive Work Christmas Party Outfits to Impress
Have a little festive fun with your wardrobe! Maybe it’s the sequins that catch the light, or a cozy knit that feels sophisticated—either way, the right pieces can take you from desk to dancefloor with ease. The season is all about celebrating, and these chic work Christmas party outfits give you plenty of ways to show up to the office feeling confident, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish.
