What to Wear to a Work Christmas Party: Outfits by Venue and Dress Code

The work Christmas party asks for something between your office wardrobe and your own party wardrobe: festive, but still you on Monday morning. The rule of thumb is one statement and one cover: sequins with sleeves, lace with a long hem, a short dress with a tailored jacket. Here is what to wear by venue, using new pieces from Shona Joy at Coveti. For other designers, browse Christmas party dresses.

Party in the office

Go straight from your desk. Swap a shirt for the Cosmic Lace Cami, satin with an asymmetric lace trim, under the blazer you wore that day, and change into a heel. It adds sparkle without needing a change of clothes.

Restaurant dinner

A long sleeve mini with tights, and a midi and a maxi. The Labyrinth Lace Panelled Mini Dress in Rouge is festive without sequins and has a high neck. The Amina Long Sleeve Plunged Mini Dress in Fern in Fern has long sleeves and a lined skirt. See Shona Joy long sleeve mini dresses.

Cocktail bar

This is where sequins work: the Crystal Sequin Mini Dress in Quartz, a pale champagne sequin mesh, with a tailored blazer over it; and the Stardust Sequin Lace Mini Dress, sheer sequin lace over an opaque skirt.

Black tie and formal dinner

A long dress. The Corey Lace Slip Maxi Dress, a quiet black lace slip maxi; the Crystal Sequin Slip Maxi Dress in champagne sequins; the Savanna Racer Back Maxi Dress in Coffee Bean in deep chocolate satin with a low racer back; and the Florence Pleated Maxi Dress, a pleated print maxi with a plunged neckline. Read Shona Joy black tie dresses for the dress code.

Work party picks compared

Source: Shona Joy product pages, read 15 November 2026. Prices are Coveti list prices in US dollars.

What not to wear

Anything you would not want in a photograph shared on Monday. Avoid a sheer piece without a lining, a very short hem without tights and a deep plunge without a layer. You will also be standing for hours, so choose a heel you can last in.

Colours for a Christmas party

Black is always right. Wine red, deep green, chocolate brown and champagne all feel seasonal without novelty. For colour by colour guidance, read Shona Joy holiday party dresses.

Wearing it around the world

Australia and New Zealand: the party season falls in summer, so these pieces go out bare legged with a flat sandal and no coat. United Kingdom, Europe and North America: add sheer black tights, a long wool coat and a closed heel and a sleek boot for December. Gulf states: layer a fine knit, a fitted long sleeve top and a tailored jacket under and over the straps for covered shoulders, and choose the maxi lengths. Coveti ships Shona Joy worldwide.

How Shona Joy sizing works

Shona Joy cuts in Australian sizes, and an AU size carries the same number as a UK size, so an AU8 is a UK 8. Most of this drop runs UK 4 to 18; the Florence Pleated Maxi Dress comes in XS to XL. The size guide on each Coveti product page converts UK sizing to US, Italian, French and German sizes. Read the fit note before you choose: “relaxed fit” and “designed to sit away from the body” leave room, while “slim fit” follows your shape. For more, read is Shona Joy true to size.

Caring for satin, lace and sequins

Every piece here is a hand wash piece. Turn it inside out, hand wash cold and separately with a mild soap, and dry flat in the shade; do not machine wash, wring, soak, bleach nor tumble dry. Lace and sequins snag on jewellery clasps and bag zips, so take bracelets off before you dress. Store sequins folded, never on a hanger, because their weight stretches the mesh over time.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to a work Christmas party?

Something festive but still professional: one statement detail, like sequins and lace, balanced with coverage, like sleeves, a longer hem and a blazer.

Are sequins appropriate for a work Christmas party?

Yes, at an evening party in a bar and a restaurant. Balance a sequin mini with a blazer and tights.

Can I wear a mini dress to a work party?

Yes, with sleeves and tights, and a covered neckline. The Shona Joy Labyrinth and Amina minis both have long sleeves.

What colour should I wear to a Christmas party?

Black, wine red, deep green, chocolate brown and champagne are seasonal without being costume.

What do you wear to a black tie work dinner?

A long dress: a satin, lace and sequin maxi, with simple heels and a clutch.

Related guides: Christmas party dresses, Shona Joy holiday party dresses, Shona Joy New Year’s Eve dresses, champagne sequin dresses, Shona Joy black lace dresses, Shona Joy long sleeve mini dresses, Shona Joy black tie dresses, the Shona Joy Holiday 2026 collection.