<p>So, my first holiday party is coming up, and I am not sure if what I want to wear is acceptable. Now, I always tend to dress up more than most people do (I didn’t grow up here, and I think, growing up, people just tended to dress up more, and it stuck with it). I also really like wearing skirts, dresses, etc. and wear them pretty much every day.</p>
<p>However, I realize this is hosted by my employer. At the same time, it’s not at the office. It’s at a fancy ball room in the Rockefeller Center, so I don’t know if that means anything either. They didn’t give us a dress code, and from my understanding some people (especially women) will bring dressy dresses, and some may not. I think men wear suits and ties.</p>
<p>Is this dress appropriate to wear to the party? If it matters, I may be bringing someone as well.</p>
<p>Also, the reason I am so concerned about this is because I don’t want people to get the wrong impression, and that extends beyond just how it affects my job. I am fairly conservative when it comes to dating, flirting, etc., and I am not looking to give the impression that I want to attract someone at my work or something like that. I really do just love to dress up - just for me (something I feel a lot of people don’t really understand), and ever since graduating college, I haven’t had that chance, which is why I am having such a hard time with this.</p>
<p>Lots of companies do their party in January, particularly if they are busy around the holidays. Agree completely with other posters, go buy a little black dress. If money is an issue, I would bet the higher end consignment shops have tons of them especially in the smaller size I can see from the pic the OP would wear.</p>
<p>OP, nope, that dress is way too sexy for an office party. I second the notion of a little black cocktail dress. You want your shoulders semi-covered. i.e. sleeveless is okay, but not spaghetti straps or no straps at all.</p>
<p>OP, your dress is an attention-getter, which under certain circumstances might be fun, but your own words—“not sure,” “don’t know,” “so concerned”—indicate that your gut is telling you to play it safe. Go with the classic black cocktail dress, and let your flair come through a bit more subtly with an interesting pair of earrings or necklace.</p>
<p>they should give you some indication of what the dress code is.
If you are interested in moving within the company/making contacts- appearing sexual is not the way to do so.</p>
<p>The time of day/week of function will give you some indication of formality.
Is it at the ballroom because of size- ? is there going to be dancing?</p>
<p>( ohlawdy) no! that dress you should run away from anything that looks like that dress :eek:
it wouldn’t be quite so bad in a different- not skin tight material- but neither for a business related function unless you work in Hollywood- that is a good point- your industry will give you a clue as well as what to wear, some are just more conservative than others</p>
<p>Depending how you are built- you may even have to go more conservative.
For instance my younger daughter is 5’8" with a slim build.
She could wear a sleeveless scoop neck dress and it would be fine for a business party.
But if my older daughter ( or I ) wore it, with our considerably more * curvy/top heavy* figure, it would be more difficult to look professional and not * professional* if yaknowwhatImean. ;)</p>
<p>I’m weighing in also…the dress the OP posted is not really appropriate for an OFFICE party no matter where or when it’s held. </p>
<p>Sometimes it’s important to remember who is hosting when choosing what to wear. </p>
<p>Your future in-laws…probably conservative.
An employer…always conservative (that goes for the amount of liquor you consume as well)
A girlfriend/guy friend…whatever makes you feel happy</p>
<p>I do want to say though- it is good you are asking beforehand-
I remember when I attended an office party when I was about 21- with my live in boyfriend. Unfortunately- I didn’t quite realize what being an alcoholic meant- ( he was 23) and as everything was covered- he went waaaay overboard on the drinking ( as did a couple other people) and it was really embarrassing.</p>
<p>This is also a good time to hit up the consignment shops because after the holidays some people recycle their closets.
you can get shoes there too- but get the outfit first</p>
<p>I also vote for the “little black dress” or the equivalent. Something simple and sophisticated that projects quality, perhaps jazzed up with some festive jewelry. Especially in NYC. The dress you posted is appropriate for going out on New Year’s Eve with friends, not to an office-related party. If you have a nice figure, you can make that obvious in a fitted silk sheath in a great color, for example, not by displaying a lot of skin. (And beware of metallics in general!)</p>
<p>I just looked at the Saks website, and there are suitable things there. I’d go for the things they describe as “evening/cocktail/midlength.”</p>
<p>There are sales going everywhere, and the stores are happy to clear out the holiday attire. </p>
<p>I agree with the other posters: no open shoulders (unless you have a bolero over your dress), no cleavage, no mini-dresses and no metallics. Have fun at your party, but go easy on the drinks :)</p>
<p>Speaking as a male and semi-retired exec…listen to the women who have advised you to go with the black dress. Although the event is billed as a “holiday party” it is in fact a business event. This should give you a hint as to how much alcohol you should consume (as little as possible) and who you should bring (no one, unless the invitation specifically says that significant others are welcome).</p>
<p>Thank you for all the advice about dresses and holiday parties in general. I don’t drink, so that won’t be an issue, although, coincidentally, I have heard some of my coworkers (young ones who just joined the company) saying that they will be drinking a lot, because it’s a free bar.</p>
<p>I am going to go with a black cocktail dress, although I haven’t decided on a specific one yet.</p>
<p>Please pass this message to your immature coworkers: their boss has an extra eye on the back of his/her head and he/she will be watching that “free bar” like a hawk even if his/her head is turned the other direction.</p>
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