November 27, 2006
office party, take two: when it’s not YOUR office
Office party shoes.
I have a confession: I always have a hard time figuring out what to wear to Wade’s work functions. Not as hard a time as I have finding a sitter, but still! Hard. Some of this has to do with the fact that my work wardrobe consists entirely of things that can go in the washing machine, but there is also an element of not knowing what exactly is appropriate in this particular situation. Because you know, I don’t work there! And I don’t know these people!
So what do you wear to HIS office party? And what should HE wear?
For the after work party, go with some version of what you might wear to work; if your work consists of picking playdough out of the rug and filling cups with juice, think of this as an opportunity to pull out some of your favorite dry-clean-only pieces. If you’re in that post-baby stage where NOTHING FITS, DAMMIT, take a look at Old Navy; they have some lovely dressy trousers for under $40.00, some of which are MACHINE WASHABLE, even. Although at that price, you could wear them around the kids with nary a worry!
A weekend party can be trickier, as no one will be coming from work. Think of the Saturday night party as an opportunity to Dress Up; chose something more dressy than what you would wear to the office. Choose a beautiful skirt or dress and some fabulous shoes. Be sparkly! You deserve it.
This brings us to the Million Dollar Question: how dressed up is TOO dressed up? I would say ask your husband, but if he’s like MY husband, he will have NO IDEA what anyone else will be wearing (dammit). Instead, think about what kind of party you’re going to–is it an open house? cocktails? drinks and dinner? will there be dancing?
The open house is the most casual of these options, with cocktail party a close second. Because this is an OFFICE party, I do not suggest jeans; I also wouldn’t necessarily suggest your little black dress for an open house. Wear a fun skirt with a pretty sweater, or a pair of nice trousers with a fantastic jacket; choose one stand-out piece to make your outfit party-ready. I’ve worn my beaded lace skirt with a jean jacket for a holiday Girls Dinner, for example; I’ve also worn a silk skirt with a cashmere turtleneck and some great boots. Your husband could opt for corduroys or wool trousers and a sweater, or an open-collared shirt with a jacket.
Dinner–particularly dinner and dancing–typically calls for something dressier. Wear your little black dress or a beautiful skirt and blouse; wear heels. Your husband should wear a jacket and tie, or a suit, if this is a really dressy function. I’m not a fan of the Holiday Themed Tie, but he’s going to wear one, make sure it is a NICE tie, not some cheap thing from the Dollar Store. It should be long enough to hang correctly and substantial enough to make a good knot. If you MUST do the Holiday Tie, might I suggest something in a festive tartan, rather than something Frosty the Snowman? Please?
It’s important to remember that the office party is a WORK function; ripped jeans and excessive cleavage are not appropriate for work, and they’re not appropriate for the office party. Even if his (or your) office is Friday Casual every day, don’t assume that you can show up for the holiday party looking like you spent the day on the sofa. As with the job interview, err on the side of slightly MORE dressed up; look like you’re happy to be there. Chose something that makes you feel pretty–this is a party, after all! Enjoy it.
Posted by Susan @ 12:56 pm • Uncategorized
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November 27th, 2006 at 3:40 pm, Annika Says:
Oh my god, you linked to a $600 skirt. That’s more than twice what I paid for my wedding dress! Of course, it’s possible that I am cheap. But six hundred dollars? For a fun skirt?
November 27th, 2006 at 3:50 pm, Melissa Says:
And now I love Annika.
November 27th, 2006 at 4:02 pm, Susan Says:
Okay, about the skirt: it IS pretty, isn’t it? But yes, six hundred dollars is . . . a lot. Ridiculous, in fact!
I linked it partly because I’m too lazy to find anything more affordable, and partly to see who would be the first to say OH MY GOD A SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR SKIRT! I thought it would be Mir, but Annika beat her to it! Maybe she should get a prize?
Not that skirt, though.
You can find something similar to that for waaaaay less money; think about consignment stores or a department store sale rack or TJ Maxx. For god’s sake don’t buy the six hundred dollar skirt.
Unless you’re buying it for me, of course.
November 27th, 2006 at 4:24 pm, Annika Says:
I love prizes!
I knew you couldn’t possibly mean it, but I had such a heart attack! My wedding dress cost $255 and it’s the most expensive item of clothing I own and I can’t imagine it ever not being.
OK, I really commented again so I could link to my wedding pictures. I am vain.
November 27th, 2006 at 4:28 pm, Susan Says:
Oh, Annika, I’m SO GLAD you linked to that photo! The dress is lovely and you look beautiful in it.
I will think of an appropriate prize.
November 27th, 2006 at 5:59 pm, Tracy N Says:
If I had heels like that I would wear shoes like that… Instead I wear tights…thick tights so my horribly dry, cracked heels don’t put a run in them. I wish I were kidding.
Oh, and I wear tights because I live in Michigan- where it snowed the first week in October. Again, not kidding.
November 27th, 2006 at 8:03 pm, Susan Says:
Tracy, it’s going to snow here on Thursday–get ready to see my LL Bean boots.
For your heels, try this: soak your feet in tepid (NOT hot) water for about ten minutes. Exfoliate with a pumice stone or one of those cheese grater things; wash with a mild soap (I use the boys’ baby soap). Pat feet dry and push your cuticles back GENTLY with a towel.
Here’s the important part: SLATHER your still-damp feet with Vaseline or Bag Balm and wrap them in plastic bags–you can use a Target or WalMart bag, although I prefer the ones from the produce section. Put some socks on over that, put your feet up and have a nice cup of tea. Don’t breathe too deeply–the Bag Balm is stinky. But it WORKS, I swear to you.
Leave the bags on for as long as you can stand it (but don’t sleep in them–I guarantee you will rip them off in your sleep). If you need to, wipe off any excess Bag Balm with a paper towel. Do this for a few nights, and I PROMISE your heels will be as soft as a baby’s . . . .
Heels. Really.
November 27th, 2006 at 9:21 pm, wordgirl Says:
I love those shoes…and I’d love to have a place to wear them. Which reminds me…time to get my pedi and get my heels scraped.
November 27th, 2006 at 11:07 pm, M&Co. Says:
God Susan you crack me up! Bag balm and produce sacks on your feet?!? I guess I’ll feel less crazy the next time I put on my Bag Balm (I kinda like that odd smell) and my Sock Monkey (http://tinyurl.com/y8hsyh)
socks to sleep in!
November 28th, 2006 at 9:31 am, Tracy N Says:
Thanks Susan! I’ll try it today!
November 28th, 2006 at 8:29 pm, The June Cleaver Diaries Says:
I won’t even tell you how much my wedding dress cost. Let’s just say I could have bought us each a $600 skirt instead.
Or fed a small 3rd world village for a year.
How humiliating.
November 29th, 2006 at 5:08 pm, standing still Says:
Okay, really. It depends on where you work … ripped jeans and excessive clevage might be JUST what the place needs.
November 29th, 2006 at 7:58 pm, Kira Says:
Here’s proof that I have a problem:
I saw your shoes and I sucked my breath in - the internationally recognized sign for OH MY GOD, THOSE ARE LOVELY.
And I already own a pair very, very much like them.