office parties

What to Wear to a Holiday Office Party

12/01/2015 by Kat

2017 Update: We still stand by this advice on what to wear to a holiday office party, but you may also want to check out all of our other posts on holiday business etiquette.

Here’s a fun question: what to wear to an holiday office party? We have six ideas below, all great whether it’s for your holiday company party, your SO’s office party, or some other holiday networking party. (We talked about holiday office party etiquette a few days ago!) As a general rule, pick two from the categories below and mix with regular workwear, unless you are 100% sure cocktail attire (or black tie!) is appropriate. A good clue: if the party is on a workday and all employees are invited (not just management types), take our suggestions here. As always, I suggest young businesswomen avoid showing cleavage, as well as what I’ll call “unexpected” skin (think cutout dresses, etc). Even bare arms may not be appropriate — know your office!) You should also be wary of anything requiring a special bra.

We’re shared some of our top picks for your holiday office party below. (2017 Update: Even if these exact items are sold out, they should still give you a good idea of the level of appropriateness. Don’t forget to check out all of our posts on holiday business etiquette, too!)

It’s Raining Gifts: Wedding and Baby Showers at the Office

11/01/2011 by Kat

2017 Update: We still stand by this advice on baby showers at the office — links have also been updated below. (You also may want to check out our blog for working moms, CorporetteMoms!)

Reader H wrote in with this question…

I have a question about celebrating life events in the office – specifically throwing coworkers wedding showers and baby showers during work time. Should these events be limited to eating cake, or is it appropriate to play games? What kind of gift should you get your coworker? Should you throw baby showers for men whose wives are pregnant? Is being involved with the planning and decorating for these things a major NGDGTCO no-no? I don’t know if you’ve ever addressed this on your blog – I couldn’t find a post that dealt with it – and I would love to get your $.02.

I have to say, my knee jerked as a reaction to this question far more than it normally does. Decorations? Games? Are you kidding me? Maybe I’m overreacting, but the more I’ve thought about it the more it just seems wildly inappropriate on every possible level. (Update: And numerous commenters disagree with me, with lots having celebrated baby showers with coworkers, at least during lunchtime or at the end of the day. Which I guess just goes to show you — know your office!) As I begin this post, let’s remember that the purpose of a wedding shower or baby shower is to “shower” the recipient with gifts. For a wedding shower, only those invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower; as far as I know anyone can be invited to the baby shower. So right off the bat, let’s knock wedding showers off the list unless literally everyone in the entire office is invited to the wedding. (And in case you are having a wedding shower in the office: please, no games — leave the toilet paper dresses for family and friends only, not coworkers!) (Pictured: Baby shower balloon, originally uploaded to Flickr by Maddy’s Musings.) [Read more…]

Filed Under: After-Work Activities, Being Girly, Business Etiquette, Lifestyle, Pregnancy, Professionalism Tagged With: How to Handle Wedding Etiquette at Work, office parties

Reader mail: On holiday parties

12/03/2009 by C

2017 Update: We still stand by this advice on holiday parties, but you may also want to check out all of our posts on holiday business etiquette.

Reader L writes in today with a question on holiday parties…

We’ve been invited to a Holiday Party, being hosted by the VP at my husband’s company. This is the first time that I’ll be meeting anyone that he works with (he just started at this location in July), and I’m very anxious to make a good impression (the VP is the highest-ranked person in the building). The party is at their home, and I have no idea what to wear – the invitation didn’t say! Do you have any advice for an outfit that would be appropriate for this occasion?

First: Happy Holidays! Second, we really feel for you, because this situation could be extremely awkward. The dress code could be anywhere from “festive sweater with jeans” to “festive jacket with work attire” to “LBD” to (if the company is very large, the VP is very swanky, and only executives are invited) something even more than LBD. First, if your husband has any female friends in his company (either colleagues, or the significant other of a colleague), bug him until he asks one of them (unless you are also friends with them, in which case, ask yourself). Another option might be to call the VP’s secretary directly (do not call the VP). Express your excitement for the invitation, and ask about the dress code for women. If you really feel awkward about asking the secretary, ask a question about directions or something innocuous like that and then slide the question in near the end. A “safe” bet might be to wear a black shift dress, black hose and pumps, and a festive red or orange jacket or structured sweater — think velvet, silk shantung, etc. (We would suggest avoiding embroidered sequins — you can always tuck a sparkly brooch or necklace in your pocket, and “trade up” or down as necessary once you’ve arrived and assessed the situation.) (Update: see our more recent roundup of festive blazers here.) [Read more…]