’Tis the season for company holiday parties.
Prematurely declared dead or “relics of the past” by many, festive fetes are back — and with a bang.
Yet, despite supposedly being the most wonderful time of the year, corporate gatherings can fill employees with dread when deciding what to wear, nearly deterring some from attending altogether.
According to ezCater’s Workplace Holiday Party Trends Report, 92% of businesses surveyed are planning to splurge the same amount or more on the company festivities, spending an average of almost $30,000.
For Gen Z, the lavish gatherings mark the first corporate party of their careers after entering the workforce, largely during the pandemic when sweatpants were the outfit of the day.
It’s no wonder that an Indeed study recently found that those between 18 and 34 believe holiday soirees “boost engagement.” A separate report from KPMG said young professionals are largely pro-office party and believe corporate shindigs “facilitate work friendships.”
“From a generational perspective, Gen Z and Millennials are really wanting to use this as an opportunity to maximize the interactions that they have at these parties,” Stitch Fix stylist Alicia Lloyd told The Post.
“So [it is] a little bit less about the fun, social aspect — of course, which is part of it — but more about how can they really use this as a way to get back together in person.”
However, it also means they have no clue what to wear.
Nearly half of respondents in a new Stitch Fix survey said they are tempted to skip their office bashes because of “outfit stress.” When breaking down the data by age, that figure soars to 57% among Gen Z workers.
The biggest concern, according to people surveyed, was dressing both appropriately and stylishly, especially in a setting where they are around their professional colleagues.
NYC-based stylist Liz Teich told The Post that she’s seen her clients stress over what to wear for their own or their spouse’s holiday parties this season.
“Especially in recent years, since the pandemic, people are going back to the office and being seen more, so I think this is people’s time to really show up and impress,” she said.
While desperate Redditors pose outfit queries in forums online, TikTok has been flooded with advice videos to help ease the “outfit stress” that plagues more than half of those surveyed by Stitch Fix.
In fact, nearly half of respondents are tempted to skip their office functions because of it.
The trick is to find an outfit that suits your personal fashion sense while remaining suitable for a work event.
“Be yourself and dress in a way that lets you express who you are — but send the right message about who you are,” Stacy Berns, the president of Berns Communications Group, told Business of Fashion, advising against short skirts and low-cut necklines.
Some Gen Z workers, however, have been criticized online for donning inappropriate outfits for office holiday socials, such as the viral sequin micro shorts.
Hot tip: “If you have to question it around your coworkers, don’t wear it,” one creator advised.
While it depends on the industry, there are some definitive do’s and don’ts for what to wear to office holiday parties, according to Teich.
For starters, steer clear of anything “too revealing.” That means no low-cut necklines nor short skirts — and strapless or off-the-shoulder looks are likely out of the question, too.
And don’t even think about that backless dress hanging in your closet.
While the “sexy” outfits some women to their company holiday parties might be acceptable for their place of employment, Teich warned that “there’s a time and a place” for that kind of attire — and it’s not with colleagues.
“Save that for going out with the girlfriends,” she said, adding that sequin micro-shorts should be left in the closet.
Lloyd said that young people have trouble wearing “what feels appropriate for whatever setting that they’re in” while also expressing “their own individual style,” but she reminded Gen Z workers that the office holiday get-togethers are for networking — not just “a party opportunity.”
“What is, maybe, an item that you can wear both for the holiday, but then would also be appropriate to wear outside of the holiday, too?” Lloyd told The Post.
Lexy Onofrio, the chief marketing officer and senior vice president of brand marketing for Chico’s, Soma and White House Black Market, told Business of Fashion that there is a “value component” for shoppers to repurpose workplace clothing for holiday celebrations.
Meanwhile, “work-to-dinner” style clothing has soared 25% on Rent the Runway, the company’s chief merchant officer, Sarah Tam, told the outfit.
“The idea is, ‘Hey, this is a great jacket, and this jacket will take you from work to the office party, to the weekend,’” Onofrio said.
‘If you have to question it around your coworkers, don’t wear it.’
When in doubt, Lloyd said to stick to the basics, such as opting for a blazer or a good pair of denim, which can be dressed up or down. To spice up the neutral garments for the holidays, she suggested a flashy clutch, statement jewelry or a “fun pocket square.”
“This is your time to shine so why not do something that you probably wouldn’t even wear to the office,” said Teich, who also advised against “sloppy” sneakers and light wash jeans.
“I always tell my clients to dress for the job that you want and not necessarily the job that you have, and it’s a good rule of thumb when it comes even to your work party.”
Without verging on inappropriate attire, playing with textures is also a great way to jazz up an outfit — such as using satin or velvet, the latter of which is “making a really big comeback.” She recommended a velvet top with a satin midi skirt, or satin trousers with a chunky sweater.
Teich also recommended breaking out of the red and green mold of Christmas and trying other seasonal colors, such as blue or maroon, that don’t necessarily scream holly and jolly.
Metallics and sparkle are fitting for winter festivities — and a bit of “shine” is exactly what Chico’s and White House Black Market customers are shopping for, too, Onofrio said.
“Shine is everything right now, especially for the holiday,” Lloyd added.
If you’re still stuck, don’t hesitate to ask questions, whether that be HR or the internet.
“When in doubt of what to wear, don’t be shy to ask your host and use the internet,” celebrity stylist Beverly Nguyen told The Post, encouraging employees to look at social media for outfit inspiration.
“I think people find it difficult cause they are simply too shy to ask questions.”
The do’s and don’ts of office holiday party dressing
- DO wear flats or heels, both are acceptable, if you choose
- DON’T wear sloppy shoes like sneakers
- DO accessorize with a flashy clutch, statement jewelry or a fun pocket square
- DON’T wear anything too revealing or sexy: No low-cut necklines, short skirts, booty shorts, strapless, off-the-shoulder or backless. Sleeveless is OK if you work in a creative setting.
- DO wear jeans if the venue is casual. Dark wash or black jeans are better than light wash.
- DON’T wear something you wouldn’t dare wear to the office
- DO wear metallics that are fitting for the holiday season and any fun textures like satin or velvet
- DON’T feel limited to red and green. Blue or other vibrant hues are appropriate, too.
- DO dress for the job you want if you want to impress
