Help Please: What to Wear to a Work Party?

Tomorrow night I am attending a party to celebrate a project we completed at work. It will be held in a hotel ballroom in downtown Toronto at 5:00 pm, so I assume most people will be coming straight from work. My coworkers and I are being taken to the event by bus and staying the night, so was thinking I'd wear the same outfit to work as to the event but maybe pack a change of shoes.

I thought I might wear my pleated chiffon skirt with pumps and a crisp button down, but I've got a few other options... what do you think? Which do you like best? Are the red pumps too much for a work thing?

#1 - party pieces!
#2 - Boyfriend Blazer, White Blouse, Chiffon Skirt, and Blue Booties
#3 - Black and Blue Zebra print Cardigan, White Blouse, Chiffon Skirt and Black Pumps
#4 - White Blouse, Chiffon Skirt, Zippered Cardigan, Red Patent Pumps
#5 - Plaid Sweater, Chiffon Skirt, Red Patent Pumps
#6 - The same sweater tucked in to the skirt with black pumps
#7 - Plaid Sweater and Pencil Skirt with Red Pumps
#8 - Plaid Dress and Blue Boyfriend Blazer
#9 - Black and Blue printed dress and Zippered Cardigan

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11 years ago

LACeleste

Veteran

Emily,

You are just so cute! You look great in all your pics!

Congratulations on the project wrap up! I'm partial to the softer, jacket-free looks for a party with 6 and 9 being my favorites! ETA I like 5 & 7 also!

I always tried to make my jackets work for after-hours events and think I looked (I certainly felt) like a stiff super corporate boss lady.

Hopefully the experts will chime in. My answer is usually yes to red shoes for a party!

Have fun!

Thistle

So tough! I am no expert and always trend too conservative. I hope the experts chime in!

And congrats on the project!

shiny

Tough choices! They all look good!

Red heels are totally fine, and I like them.

#5 is my favorite.

If you're staying overnight, you'll be able to check in to your room when you arrive, right? How much time is allotted for that? Does it leave enough time to change/freshen up?

If you're packing a small overnight bag, maybe just toss everything in it and decide when you get there...

Emily

Thanks for the responses! I have been not so patiently waiting for an opportunity to bust out my red pumps and I think this is it. My boss specifically told one of my male coworkers to wear a tie... I am tempted to show up in one for kicks...

Shiny, we'll be arriving at the hotel right when the celebration starts, so I am counting on only enough time to dash to my room, drop my bag, swap my shoes, and touch up my face. The other attendees from my office are mostly male so I expect they'll be in shirts and ties all day and wont need to change. I am planning on packing my pjs, change of clothes, a clutch, shoes, and toiletries into my Kate Spade Beau bag.

rabbit

They all look good but my favorite is 5 too, and 7 although the softer skirt in 5 gives it an edge for me. The red shoes look GREAT in general. I think because their color is dark/subtle they are fine for a work party, but I don't know the norms of your office.

LoriFLA

Active Member

I like every slook but I have to vote for the chiffon skirt. It is too cute on you with the tights and black pumps or blue booties. The red pumps are great too! I like the white blouse option with chiffon skirt or plaid sweater with chiffon skirt. It's more "party" to me, but I think the pencil skirt looks nice as well...

If I had to pick my top two it would be #3 and #5.

lyn*

(website)

I love #3 - you look long and elegant

JAileen

I like 4 and 5 best. But what Shiny said - you have a room, you can wear whatever!

Sounds like fun!

Thanks for the clarification! If the guys are going to be in suits and ties then yes, the chiffon skirt for sure. And the red shoes! I'd wear those to work in a heartbeat!

I'd love to see the white shirt without any topper, tucked in. There's something appealing if the guys are in suit jackets & ties, with you in crisp button down on top, but chiffon skirt and red pumps to dress it up.

What are you going to do about a handbag?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

#5 gets my top vote.

celia

Congratulations on the project!

I have no solution but am looking at the comments because I also have something like this coming up.

Sveta

I love the skirt and red shoes in #5! In addition to shoes I would also swap the opaque tights for a sheer hose - nude, black or patterned. It should not take long but will change the look to more "evening".
Congratulations on completing the project!

Suz

What Sveta said, about the outfit, the tights, and all -- and congratulations!! This sounds like fun!

Marmee

#3 and 5 are my favorites, and I agree with Sveta about the sheer hose. Have fun!

Diana

Whatever you do, please wear the red pumps! I like #5 best also.

Will you be warm enough without a jacket? I think your blazers are a little long for the skirt. Do you have a cropped jacket?

Anonymous

I also agree with Sveta about #5 and sheer stockings. You could even wear them under your tights and just remove the tights. Voila!

fuzzylogic

Burgundy pumps for sure!

Okay, so here's what you do, kid! Wear #4. Then, on your way there, swap the black opaques for some nude sheers, whip off the cardi, scrunch up the sleeves of the white shirt and undo the top button, add a statement neck piece and a black patent leather belt and you are ready to graciously accept accolades for the completed project! Well done, Emily!

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