An office holiday party on the calendar can be exciting. It’s a chance to wear something festive, celebrate with coworkers, and maybe nibble on a few sugar cookies. But the party’s dress code often sits on the line between a workday and a celebration. Dress like it’s any ordinary afternoon, and you won’t fit the dressy vibe. Wear something too formal, and you’ll feel uncomfortably overdressed.
A good office holiday party outfit for men hits a sweet spot between: polished enough for work, comfortable enough for the evening, and festive without looking like a costume. And this balance isn’t hard to achieve with the right advice.
Here’s how to pick the perfect office holiday party look, no matter the dress code.
How To Choose The Right Office Holiday Party Outfit
Holiday office party attire doesn’t mean a novelty sweater adorned with blinking lights. Unless the invitation calls for an ugly-sweater party, you can keep the festive touches much more subtle. The right outfit follows the dress code, looks slightly dressier than your everyday clothing, and feels appropriate to wear in front of your coworkers.
Most holiday party dress codes fall into one of three familiar ranges:
- Smart or business casual: Pick an outfit that looks intentional and put-together — think a blazer with tailored trousers.
- Cocktail or semi-formal: Consider wearing a suit or coordinated, tailored outfit, usually in dark or seasonal colors.
- Formal or black tie: Lean into the dressier, more formal attire. Formal events call for a dark suit, while black tie expects a tuxedo.
You can build your holiday look on this framework: Start with the invitation, then consider the venue, time of day, and your workplace culture. Here’s a quick rundown:
- The invitation’s dress code: What does it say on the invite? If the dress code states “smart casual” or “black tie,” then take the wording at face value. If the language is vague (for example, “dress to impress”), ask the RSVP contact for more details.
- The venue: Where the party is taking place gives you a strong signal of what’s appropriate to wear. A hotel ballroom calls for something more formal than the office break room, and a rooftop lounge settles somewhere between the two.
- Time of day: A lunch or early-afternoon gathering leans light and casual, while evening parties typically mean darker colors and richer fabrics.
- Company culture: Think about your workplace’s typical vibe. A relaxed office may treat the holiday party as an extension of a casual workday, while a more conservative company may expect a dressier look.
Pro tip: Even when the invitation says “casual,” keep the setting in mind. For a workplace party, that usually means relaxed pieces that still look intentional and appropriate. If you’re still unsure, aim for slightly dressier rather than slightly underdressed.
Office Holiday Party Outfit Ideas
Once you know the party’s dress code, it’s time to choose the right pieces to bring together a memorable look. The best holiday party outfits for work start with a few basic concepts and add minor festive touches.
Smart Casual and Business Casual Ideas
You likely have all the pieces you need in your closet at home for a relaxed holiday party at the office. Smart and business casual aren’t about pulling out all the stops — they lean into texture, layering,and perhaps a seasonal color or two.
For a layered look, wear a crisp white dress shirt with a contrasting cardigan over the top (think burgundy or forest green). The cardigan adds a touch of warmth for the cool months, along with a hint of polish. Finish with wool trousers and leather loafers.
Try a wool blazer over a solid shirt and tailored trousers to achieve a textured aesthetic. You can also swap in a blazer with a soft check or herringbone pattern. The result is an outfit that looks right for the office but has a touch of festive flair.
A fine-gauge merino rollneck works well under a tailored blazer, especially when paired with dress trousers and leather Chelsea boots. This combination is polished yet warm, so it’s a solid pick for partially outdoor parties.
Leather loafers or boots will usually finish the outfit more naturally than sneakers. These shoes tie the outfit together, but they’re still casual and comfortable enough for a long, low-key party.
Cocktail and Semi-Formal Party Ideas
If the dress code calls for a cocktail outfit, wear a suit or intentional, tailored attire. A navy or charcoal suit is an easy choice for these types of parties. Pair it with a pale blue dress shirt and leather shoes, then add a seasonal touch with your accessories. Try a textured tie or patterned pocket square.
This look is versatile. Swap out the colors for various holiday vibes. We also recommend a crimson suit with a cream dress shirt, or a green suit with a gray dress shirt.
Pro tip: A great cocktail look can be one of the most dependable Christmas outfits for men. They often fit a range of dress codes and wouldn’t look out of place in business casual or formal parties.
Formal and Black Tie Party Ideas
Both formal and black-tie events leave less wiggle room than other dress codes. Formal occasions usually require suits in dark shades like charcoal and black. Wear a neutral shirt, dress shoes, and limit your accessories to one or two pieces — say an understated watch and a pocket square.
Alternatively, adding velvet works for a dressier night. A velvet dinner jacket in black or burgundy, worn over a subtle shirt and black tailored trousers, looks festive without leaning casual. If the event is more formal, wear a bow tie.
For black tie events, the choice is straightforward: A tuxedo, bow tie, and polished dress shoes. You can typically choose black or midnight blue, but the same baseline look always applies.
Pro tip: For formal and black tie parties, match your shoes and belt, and ensure the tones look cohesive. It’s a subtle difference that people notice at dressier events.
How To Look Festive Without Going Over the Top
Holiday parties provide an opportunity to look festive, but it’s unfortunately easy to cross the line and overdress. To avoid a costume-y aesthetic, try the “one festive element” rule. This asks you to choose one seasonal color or texture for your outfit, and leave the rest more relaxed.
For color, bright green and red often dominate the palette, which can be a little loud. Consider choosing burgundy and forest green, or opting for alternatives like midnight blue and winter white to celebrate without shouting from the rooftops. Add these shades into your outfit creatively: Opt for a burgundy tie or rich blue pocket square.
After color comes seasonal textures. Here are a few to consider:
- Velvet: Dressy straight off the bat. Wear this classic via a formal jacket.
- Flannel or heavy wool: The go-to fabrics for cold-weather occasions. These are best in button-down shirts and sweaters.
- Cashmere or merino: Soft knits look dressy and seasonal. Wear these as sleek sweaters on their own or under a blazer.
- Corduroy: A relaxed choice that works well for smart casual parties. This one is most common in pants, but a warm corduroy jacket is equally sophisticated.
What To Avoid Wearing to an Office Holiday Party
Holiday parties give you room to have fun with your clothes, but a few choices can still feel out of place at a work event. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Novelty sweaters: A bright, flashy sweater pulls attention away from the event and comes across as unprofessional when you’re with a work crowd. Unless you’re attending a dedicated ugly-sweater party, leave this attention-grabbing piece in the closet.
- Khakis and a satin-tie: While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this combo, it can read a bit too much like an ordinary work day. Mix and match these two basics, and create something a bit more festive.
- Overly casual pieces: Comfortable hoodies, sweatpants, and sneakers feel great, but they aren’t on the list of appropriate party attire.
- Statement pieces: Loud colors, patterns, and accessories can cross into costume territory. Follow the one festive element rule, and add bold pieces slowly.
- Poorly fitting clothes: Even a well-chosen outfit can look off if the fit isn’t right. Avoid anything too-tight or oversized. Whether it’s a formal suit or a simple sweater, your clothes should comfortably taper around your frame.
Find Your Office Holiday Party Look at Men’s Wearhouse
You’re not stuck building the perfect holiday party outfit on your own. Men’s Wearhouse stocks everything you need: smart casual pieces, cocktail-ready suits, and ties and pocket squares to finish a look. Pick out the pieces you need, or get a custom-tailored suit for the perfect fit.
If you’re unsure how to read the invitation, ask our in-store wardrobe consultants to translate the dress code. We’re happy to help you build an outfit from collar to shoes.
Shop online or visit your nearest Men’s Wearhouse location to put together an office holiday party outfit that fits the occasion.
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