Nathaniel Fried
When we think of a traditional work Christmas party, a gathering in the office might come to mind, or perhaps a meal out with everyone from the team. But recently, Christmas parties have been held in venues that are a little different as bosses decide to celebrate the end-of-year with something more exciting. For an activities-based party though, you can’t wear your trusty midi dress and heels, so thinking of how to dress can be tricky. We’ve come up with this handy guide to help you out:
A bowling alley
To start off the night with some light competition, your boss might’ve booked you into a bowling alley. Let’s face it, you’ll probably be heading out for a few drinks afterwards, so you need something that’s suitable for scoring a strike and for when you’re drinking cocktails later on.
A stylish-yet-practical look is the sort of vibe that you should be going for here. Think on-trend jumpsuits and trousers with a cute top. You’ve probably noticed that ‘80s fashion has been back with a bang this year, and it hasn’t stopped for AW18. It’s all about being bold with your colour palette and really owning it! It’s not often your colleagues get to see you outside of your workwear so show them your true colours in a bold jumpsuit. Choose one with a chunky belt to create that ‘80s inspired cinched waist and accessorise with statement hoops.
Culotte trousers really came into their own this year, especially over summer. But there are so many varieties now that they certainly shouldn’t be kept for just one season. Play it safe with high-waisted black trousers and jazz it up top with a glitter-infused bodysuit or cute crop — pair with a sparkly clutch and your good to go.
Meal-to-drinks
Heading for a Christmas meal then out for drinks is a traditional way to celebrate the end-of-year with your colleagues. But, how should you dress for an occasion like this? It can be uncomfortable to eat a roast dinner in a tight bodycon, but you don’t want to be dressed informally for when you hit the bars later on.
For this type of occasion, you can’t go wrong in a classic shift dress. Show off your pins in a midi dress and channel your inner party animal with leopard or snake print (two patterns that are very on-trend this season). Pair with barely-there sandals and a matching bag and your good to go!
You also can’t go wrong with “jeans and a nice top” in this situation. The covered legs will keep you warm when you’re moving from restaurant to bar and your fancy top will be admired over the dinner table. This season, it’s all about sequin embellishments and metallic camis — perfect for this years’ festivities.
Castle venues
For something different, some companies take their staff to a castle or stately home. Here, you might be greeted with a medieval banquet, take part in some activities or enjoy a ball in your surroundings. Of course, it depends on what’s lined up for you at your party but it’s nice to look the part.
If your night is going to consist of medieval activities such as fighting with swords or a dance of some sort, you’ll want to follow a similar dress code to that of bowling. Plisse trousers have been on-trend in recent years — they’re comfy and fashionable! This style is perfect for flexibility in movement and keeping your legs covered for the cooler temperatures. Pair with a three-quarter sleeve fitted top or a bardot style crop to complete your look. This style goes great with flat or heeled shoes, so where what you feel comfortable in. The great thing about these pants too is that they’ve got an elasticated waist (ideal for tucking into a medieval buffet!).
Rooftop terrace
Even though the cooler months have arrived, people still enjoy a rooftop terrace. Due to the colder climate of the UK, we don’t get to spend much time outdoors during the autumn and winter so a party on a rooftop makes a nice change!
Take this opportunity to get dressed to the nines. Why not go all out in a sequin maxi dress? Or pair an accordion skirt with a sequin top. Keep your feet warm in suede heeled ankle boots or a dressy loafer.
Unless you want to be gathered around the outdoor heater all night, you’ll need some sort of coat. This season it’s all about faux fur and we’re loving it! Keep it classic in a black or brown waist-length jacket or go big and bold with a coloured fur coat and chunky collar. If this isn’t your style, you can’t go wrong in a classic leather jacket — match with a cross-body clutch and your outfit is complete.
Wherever your Christmas party is this year, make sure you’re dressed for the occasion!
