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More Christmas party questions...

Maya

Veteran

I know this has been covered numerous times, but I feel like my situation is a bit unique. First let me mention that this is my first ever office Christmas party and I have to be honest: I am NOT looking forward to it. I don't feel like I have been working there long enough to really know anyone very well, and I only work part time on top of that. This is probably going to be my only chance to actually get acquainted with the people I work with, so I want to make a good impression. Working there has been really awkward for the past few months, and the only person I really got to know on any level retired on Friday, so this is kind of an important event for me.

Anyway, back to clothes; it's actually an office lunch and not a dinner. I assume this makes it a bit less formal than a dinner party or a cocktail thing? Second of all, the general dress code for the place I work is VERY casual, and I don't really know how much of a step up I should take from that. Smart casual would still be too casual, I think, but I almost never get dressed up so this is foreign territory. Would a nice simple day dress be okay? I look better in dresses than in pants, so I'm gravitating towards that. If not, I'm open to any ideas.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

BLB

(website)

If it were me, I'd go for a day dress (I have jersey wrap dresses, so I'd wear one of those), simple jewelry (maybe pearls?) and small heels or else tall boots, plus a cardigan, maybe with a brooch.

Sorry that it's not an event you're looking forward to. I know how awkward work dynamics can be.

Nicole

Veteran

Maya, Will the party take place during the regular work day? If that is the case, then I'd guess that the norm will be to wear whatever you normally wear to work.

If the party takes place on the weekend, and is not part of the regular work day, then I'd suggest dressing up a little bit.

This could actually be a great opportunity for you to "make a friend" at work. Is there someone there who is approachable, or who you'd like to befriend? I see nothing wrong with going up to someone (esp. someone who has worked there for past holiday parties) and asking them if there is a dress code for these events. People love when other people ask them for advice--and it will give you someone to approach during the party to "thank" for their advice. A little ice-breaker, if you will.

Anonymous

Nicole has good advice, as usual. I also think that since it is a luncheon you could just dress as if you are attending a YLF gathering, which would mean putting your stylish beautiful self out there and be comfortable. You could add a bit of glitz with seasonal jewelry.

ChristineB

I agree with Nicole. If it's during your regular workday, I'd wear what I normally wore to work, maybe with a little extra effort, or one of my more fab outfits.

Good luck with your lunch! I hope it works out well for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'll wait till you answer these quezzies, Maya, because they are the ones I’d have asked before offering suggestions.

Maya

Veteran

It's on a Friday, not the weekend, but honestly, the people in my office dress quite poorly so it's hard for me to tell.

The dress code, as I said, is pretty bare bones. No rips, tears, bare midriffs, etc. And yet there is one guy that regularly comes in with torn jeans, and no one has ever bothered him about it, so I guess even that is open to interpretation.

One girl almost always comes in wearing all black. Not even nice black clothes...usually a black turtleneck and some black knit pants with extremely wide legs. Another girl always puts her hair in a greasy ponytail and wears oversized black tshirts and baggy jeans with shoes that look like Tevas.

The other women in the office seem to make the same assumption a lot of women make: As long as it isn't jeans, it's appropriate. So there are a lot of ill fitting khaki pants and cords. Still, at least they seem to think about what they wear before they come in, which is more than I can say for some people.

There is one girl, not much older than me, who at least has some sense of style but dresses completely wrong for her body type (VERY pear-shaped). Lately she has been wearing these cute little flat spectator oxfords, but she tends to wear these very billowy, ruffled, ornate romantic poet tops that don't really flatter her.

I know I sound snobby and obnoxious but it really irks me when people put absolutely NO thought or care into how they present themselves. I grew up with the idea that dressing yourself properly is a way of showing respect.

As for me, I just dress the way I always do. I know no matter how casual I go, I'll never hit the level that some of my coworkers have hit. My most casual outfits consist of dark jeans, Cons, and a knit top. Since it's winter I usually wear skinnies tucked into boots. The other day I came in with a red sweater tunic dress, and one of my coworkers commented on how "dressed up" I was. So you see why I'm afraid of overdoing it...

I want to step it up a bit in December when I start working full time, but again, I just feel awkward dressing better than my boss and those who are senior to me (which is pretty much everyone).

Well that was long, but hopefully it answers all questions presented.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Maya. What does your boss typically wear?

shiny

Veteran

"I grew up with the idea that dressing yourself properly is a way of showing respect."

... then I say screw what everyone else wears: wear what YOU would wear - to show respect for others including your very own self.

(oops maybe my wording was a bit harsh! But, I meant it...so I will leave it as is)

Maya

Veteran

Angie, my boss is all over the place. Sometimes she wears a fleece jacket, sometimes she wears a jacket and skirt (not really a "suit" but close enough). However, she always wears sneakers regardless, even with the skirt ensemble (and I mean athletic sneakers).

My supervisor (who is a man) wears a lot of polo shirts and khakis most of the time. Sometimes he'll just wear a plain white tshirt.

Shiny, that was my first thought. I'm just not sure what I would wear. If I can find a sweater dress before then, I might wear that with some tights and boots, but I'm not counting on finding it before then.

Maya

Veteran

And Shiny, your wording wasn't harsh. I have some much harsher words for the way they dress, but of course I don't generally talk about it. I hate to sound arrogant or stuck up, but it really dismays me. It bothers me as it is that Americans no longer take any pride in (or even take care for) their appearance, but those feelings are amplified in the office. I feel an obligation to present myself properly in that environment, and I'm surprised most others don't feel the same way. Sure my dark jeans and cons aren't spectacular, but at least I put some thought into it, and didn't just come in wearing whatever I fell asleep in last night. I think at least THAT is a level we can all aspire to without too many obstacles...

shana

Veteran

Maya, I understand your dilemma - you want to be true to yourself but not stick out like a sore thumb. I take it that people in your office do not have any contact with customers? I can't imagine people dressing that way to deal with the public - some of the outfits sound so unprofessional! I guess I lean on the side of dressing for yourself because it doesn't sound like you would even want to bother trying to fit in terms of dressing like your colleagues. A sweater dress sounds perfect. I think even your "dressy outfit" - the red sweater tunic, skinnies tucked in jeans sounds good or maybe a nicer knit top & slacks?

Anonymous

Maya, I was thinking of the red tunic top you mentioned too. It is a festive color and considered "dressy" by your co-workers. Have a good time meeting people at the luncheon.

Maya

Veteran

Unfortunately I can't wear that specific dress as it doesn't really fit anymore It's much too clingy around the hips. In fact it didn't even fit then, but I wore it anyway.

I really need a new sweater dress. It's such a versatile piece for me in the winter. The party is next week so I really hope I luck out. Otherwise I have no idea what to wear.

Shana, you're right, they do not deal with the public. If they did it would be incredibly embarrassing. Sometimes if a client is coming in, the management will dress more professionally, but that's it. I don't mind a casual work environment at all (in fact I prefer it), but this goes beyond casual. I wouldn't even dress the way my coworkers do to go to class or do groceries.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Okay. We have lots to work with, Maya. And I love that you want to dress respectfully. I grew up the same way.

Do you have any dresses or skirts you can wear with boots? They are used to seeing you in jeans with Converse or boots, right? So step it up a little by introducing a frock or skirt. Have you tried H&M?

Maya

Veteran

Angie, I have a nice dress but I think it might be too much for this occasion. Other than that, I'm pretty lacking in the dress department. I only have one other dress and it's a summer dress.

A skirt is a good idea and I'm surprised It didn't occur to me. I just ordered the LC Tahra boots (almost half off, yay). I think they will look nice with a skirt. But which skirt?

I have a dark denim A-line skirt, a brown tweed pencil skirt, a black wool pencil skirt, red corduroy skirt, and this skirt; http://www.kaboodle.com/review.....er-skirt-7

The red corduroy one is on the short side and something I wear a lot, so I think I'm going to rule that one out. I'm leaning towards the denim skirt or the Anthropologie skirt.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I remember that you love your little tweed skirt. Denim is also good. The kaboodle skirt is pretty but Summery. (At least that is my impression from the picture). May we see pics? I hope you love your new boots

Maya

Veteran

I do love my brown tweed skirt, but I wore it to my interview for this job so I thought it might be a bit weird. I'm also not sure what tops to wear with it. I have some short sleeve button down blouses I wear in the summer, but nothing comparable for winter. Pencil skirts just seem like they have to be tucked in.

The Anthro skirt is more of a summery weight, but I thought with boots and some black tights it might work. I'll try and get a picture.

Antje

Veteran

Maya, I doubt anyone remembers that you wore the tweed skirt for the interview. If you're doubtful, maybe you can switch out the top? I generally think that others don't nearly as much about our outfits as we do (sadly ;-))

Do you have cardis that go with either of the skirts? If so, then you can wear one over the short sleeved blouse; that should work with either pencil skirt or other skirt (probably open with the pencil skirt, belted with A line skirt.)

I think skirt, boots, and cardi over a pretty top would be a floop proof outfit for the occasion.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I second Antje--I don't think anyone would notice. And I really like her idea for the flop proof outfit. Will you post a photo when you've decided and gotten it all together? If you wanted to post options, too, I'd be interested to see those. I always love the outfits you put together.

BLB

(website)

Maya, do you have a pic of the tweed skirt? Could you try it on for us and photograph it with a cardi or sweater?

Maya

Veteran

I don't know about that Antje. I did look pretty great during my interview :p

Hehe, seriously I doubt they would notice. You're probably right. My cardi collection is sadly lacking. I have a black cardi but i wouldn't want to wear that with a white button down and a brown skirt. I think there should be some color.

I'll try on a few things later in the week when I'm home.

Tanya

Veteran

I also second the idea of the tweed skirt with boots. I am looking forward to pics.