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well, with december coming up, I figure we could all do with some tips on how to best dress for the work christmas party!
Maintain the Mystery
It’s amazing that it still needs to be said, but it does: “The office is not the place to show off your toned ‘boot camp’ physique,†says Amanda Sanders, a branding specialist at New York Image Consultant who has styled everyone from Donny Deutsch and Chris Rock to power attorneys, newscasters, and C.E.O.’s.
Dressing inappropriately can change the playing field with colleagues of the opposite sex—especially if you’re a woman—or simply make you look like you have terrible taste. For women, Allison Berlin, founder of wardrobe consulting service Style Made Simple, suggests hemlines that hit at or just a couple of inches above the knee. Feel free to go sleeveless. But keep the cleavage to yourself—that means men too.
“I once had an attorney show up at a board function with three or four buttons opened on his shirt,†Wagner says. “Your professional colleagues don’t need to see that much of you.â€
Sizzle With Smarts
Less obvious, “don’t get too dressed up,†says Berlin, who recently restructured the wardrobe of a San Francisco-based biotech C.E.O. Going all-out can make you seem out-of-touch with the company culture—or like you don’t get out enough.
“I witnessed an entertainment industry employee turn up to a party wearing a pink strapless vintage prom dress—it was too much even for a creative industry event at a club,†Berlin says. Leave the sequins and the spread-collar shirt at home.
Men can instead make a statement with a watch. “You can’t drive your Ferrari in the boardroom, but you can put it on your wrist,†Wagner says. If a suit is required, wear something bespoke or well-tailored, but skip the white shirt. “Try a colored or patterned dress shirt and a tie with a tone on tone. And if you dare, put on a pocket square—it makes a great conversation piece,†Sanders says. In a more casual environment, men can swap the jacket for a V-neck cashmere sweater, or the suit for jeans and a dark velvet jacket.
For women, put on a scoop-neck designer sheath dress; trade the button-up for a bright-colored chemise and put on a great pair of high heels; or switch the pantsuit into this season’s wide-leg pants and a silk or a metallic-accented top. Dazzling with accessories is totally acceptable, says Stefani Greenfield, co-owner of boutique chain Scoop NY. “A great oversize clutch or chunky jewelry accents this season’s hues and adds color to any outfit.â€
The key is to add a little bling, but not to overdo it. “If you’re at the vice president level and up, employees will expect you to be well-dressed and accessorized and won’t question your salary,†says Berlin. “On the other hand, if an assistant shows up in Prada or Zegna and a flashy watch, that would certainly raise eyebrows.â€
Go With the Code
“Of course, if you are the C.E.O., you don’t need to impress anybody.†Wagner says. But even in that case, it’s better to not just keep up appearances but dress in a way that is consistent with the corporate culture you are cultivating. “There was one instance where the C.E.O. dressed so casually, he made his employees nervous,†says Wagner. Display a subtle style change at a festive event, but still let everyone know who is in charge.
Similar advice goes for those lower down in the hierarchy. Even if it may sound lackluster, “the office holiday party is never the right place to take a fashion risk or try a new look,†says Berlin.
style tips from Holiday Dressing Guide - Portfolio.com
AND!
most of all, don't forget to enjoy yourself
Maintain the Mystery
It’s amazing that it still needs to be said, but it does: “The office is not the place to show off your toned ‘boot camp’ physique,†says Amanda Sanders, a branding specialist at New York Image Consultant who has styled everyone from Donny Deutsch and Chris Rock to power attorneys, newscasters, and C.E.O.’s.
Dressing inappropriately can change the playing field with colleagues of the opposite sex—especially if you’re a woman—or simply make you look like you have terrible taste. For women, Allison Berlin, founder of wardrobe consulting service Style Made Simple, suggests hemlines that hit at or just a couple of inches above the knee. Feel free to go sleeveless. But keep the cleavage to yourself—that means men too.
“I once had an attorney show up at a board function with three or four buttons opened on his shirt,†Wagner says. “Your professional colleagues don’t need to see that much of you.â€
Sizzle With Smarts
Less obvious, “don’t get too dressed up,†says Berlin, who recently restructured the wardrobe of a San Francisco-based biotech C.E.O. Going all-out can make you seem out-of-touch with the company culture—or like you don’t get out enough.
“I witnessed an entertainment industry employee turn up to a party wearing a pink strapless vintage prom dress—it was too much even for a creative industry event at a club,†Berlin says. Leave the sequins and the spread-collar shirt at home.
Men can instead make a statement with a watch. “You can’t drive your Ferrari in the boardroom, but you can put it on your wrist,†Wagner says. If a suit is required, wear something bespoke or well-tailored, but skip the white shirt. “Try a colored or patterned dress shirt and a tie with a tone on tone. And if you dare, put on a pocket square—it makes a great conversation piece,†Sanders says. In a more casual environment, men can swap the jacket for a V-neck cashmere sweater, or the suit for jeans and a dark velvet jacket.
For women, put on a scoop-neck designer sheath dress; trade the button-up for a bright-colored chemise and put on a great pair of high heels; or switch the pantsuit into this season’s wide-leg pants and a silk or a metallic-accented top. Dazzling with accessories is totally acceptable, says Stefani Greenfield, co-owner of boutique chain Scoop NY. “A great oversize clutch or chunky jewelry accents this season’s hues and adds color to any outfit.â€
The key is to add a little bling, but not to overdo it. “If you’re at the vice president level and up, employees will expect you to be well-dressed and accessorized and won’t question your salary,†says Berlin. “On the other hand, if an assistant shows up in Prada or Zegna and a flashy watch, that would certainly raise eyebrows.â€
Go With the Code
“Of course, if you are the C.E.O., you don’t need to impress anybody.†Wagner says. But even in that case, it’s better to not just keep up appearances but dress in a way that is consistent with the corporate culture you are cultivating. “There was one instance where the C.E.O. dressed so casually, he made his employees nervous,†says Wagner. Display a subtle style change at a festive event, but still let everyone know who is in charge.
Similar advice goes for those lower down in the hierarchy. Even if it may sound lackluster, “the office holiday party is never the right place to take a fashion risk or try a new look,†says Berlin.
style tips from Holiday Dressing Guide - Portfolio.com
AND!
most of all, don't forget to enjoy yourself
