Photo: "All decked up" by Clem Onojeghuo, Oxford Street, London, via Wikimedia Commons (originally Unsplash), CC0 1.0, cropped.
Start with the invitation. The dress code on it, or the lack of one, tells you how far to dress up. A party with no dress code at the office or the pub usually means your smartest work outfit with something that shines. Cocktail means a dress or smart separates, or a smart suit. Black tie means an evening dress or a dinner jacket.
This guide explains what each Christmas party dress code means, using Debrett's, the British etiquette authority, as the reference point. It also gives outfit ideas for women and men.
Key Takeaways
- With no dress code, dress one step smarter than you would for work and add one festive touch: velvet, satin, a metallic shirt or a pair of heels.
- "Festive" is not a formal code. It asks for colour, texture or sparkle, not a costume.
- Debrett's says cocktail lets women choose "whatever dress/trouser combination" looks chic and glamorous. Men can wear a smart lounge suit instead of a dinner jacket.
- Black tie means an evening dress for women and a black dinner jacket and bow tie for men. Knee-length cocktail dresses are the most popular choice, according to Debrett's.
- Plan for December weather. A block heel, a warm coat and a layer you can take off indoors matter as much as the outfit.
What does each Christmas party dress code mean?
Christmas invitations usually fall into one of five situations, from relaxed to formal. The table sums them up; the sections below explain each one.
| Dress code | What it means | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|
| None given (office or pub) | One step up from work | Smart trousers or a dress, plus one festive piece | Tailored trousers, a fine knit or shirt, polished shoes |
| Smart casual | Relaxed but put together | A dress, skirt or smart trousers; denim is probably too casual | A jacket, with a tie or an open-necked shirt, plus chinos or tailored trousers |
| Festive | Colour, texture or sparkle | Velvet, satin or metallics | A velvet jacket, a rich colour or a bold knit |
| Cocktail | Dressy evening wear | A cocktail dress or a glamorous trouser outfit | A smart lounge suit or a velvet jacket; no dinner jacket or bow tie needed |
| Black tie | Formal evening wear | An evening dress, short or long | A black dinner jacket and bow tie |
The smart casual, cocktail and black tie rows follow Debrett's guide to dress codes (retrieved 1 November 2026). The "none given" and "festive" rows are our own advice, because neither has a formal definition.
What should you wear to an office Christmas party?
If the invitation gives no dress code, wear one step up from your usual work clothes and add one thing that feels like a party. If you are going straight from your desk, start with an outfit that works at both.
Women. Tailoring is the easiest base. The Women's Two-Piece Trouser Suit works in a meeting. Wear it with the Black Satin Lace Cami Top in place of a shirt and it becomes an evening outfit. You can make the same switch with the Evening-Ready Satin Button-Up Shirt, which comes in red and forest green.
Men. Wear the Double-Pleat High-Waist Wide-Leg Trousers with the Slim Mock-Neck Cotton-Blend Jumper in black, and change into polished shoes before you leave work. A mock neck looks sharper than a shirt with an open collar and needs no tie.
If you are unsure, ask a colleague who went last year what people wore.
What does smart casual mean for a Christmas party?
Smart casual means relaxed but put together. Debrett's suggests a jacket for men, "and quite possibly a tie, or an open-necked silk or patterned shirt", with chinos or tailored trousers. Women "can opt for a dress, skirt or a pair of smart trousers".
Debrett's also warns that "denim, even designer denim, is probably too casual". For men without a jacket, a fine knit such as the Office-to-Weekend Fine-Knit Half-Zip Jumper over a collared shirt is a neat alternative at a relaxed party. Our smart casual dress code guide covers the code in more detail.
What does a "festive" dress code mean?
"Festive" asks for colour, texture or a little sparkle, not a costume. Writing about fanciful and themed dress codes, Debrett's says a discreet guest "can just acknowledge it with accessories". The same thinking works for festive: one festive piece is enough.
Velvet and satin are popular Christmas choices because their sheen catches the light in a dim room.
- The Women's Crushed Velvet Mini Dress has long sleeves and comes in olive, black and burgundy.
- The Black Velvet Skater Dress has a lace neckline and lace cuffs.
- The Gold Metallic Shirt dresses up black jeans at a casual party, or opens over a slip dress like a light jacket.
For men, a festive look can be as simple as a velvet jacket or a rich colour, such as burgundy or bottle green, worn with the same tailored trousers.
What is cocktail attire for a Christmas party?
Cocktail sits between smart casual and black tie. Debrett's says women "can choose whatever dress/trouser combination they feel will make them look chic and glamorous". Men "can discard dinner jackets and bow ties if they choose" and wear smart lounge suits, velvet jackets or Nehru jackets instead (Debrett's, retrieved 1 November 2026).
Women. A dress that ends at or around the knee is the safe choice. The Black Chiffon Mini Dress has a subtle shimmer and a tie that gives three different shapes. For trousers, the High-Neck Trouser Suit needs no shirt underneath, so it looks finished with just heels and earrings.
Men. A dark lounge suit with a crisp shirt is the standard choice; a tie is our suggestion for a work event, not a Debrett's rule. A velvet jacket over dark tailored trousers is the festive alternative.
What should you wear to a black tie Christmas party?
Black tie is the most formal code most people meet at Christmas. Debrett's sets it out clearly:
- Men: a black, single-breasted wool dinner jacket with silk peaked lapels or a shawl collar, black trousers with one row of braid, a soft-collared shirt and a bow tie.
- Women: an evening dress. Debrett's notes that "knee length cocktail dresses are the most popular choice", and floor-length dresses work too.
For women, the Black Velvet Fishtail Maxi Skirt with a fitted top gives a full-length look without a ball gown. For men without a dinner jacket, hiring one is an option for a single event.
Shoes, coats and getting home
A December party starts and ends outside. Last winter (December 2025 to February 2026), the Met Office's provisional figures put the UK mean temperature at 4.94°C, with 390.1 mm of rain (Met Office, 2 March 2026). Choose shoes and a coat for the journey as well as the room.
Smart shoes and a little sparkle: brogues suit smart casual, while black derbies and block heels suit dressier codes. Photo: "Wedding day shoes" by Josh Felise, via Wikimedia Commons (originally Unsplash), CC0 1.0, resized.
Shoes. A block heel is steadier on cobbles and dance floors than a stiletto. The Black Pointed-Toe Heels have a low block heel and go with a dress or a trouser suit. For men, the Sharp-Dressed Plain-Toe Derby Shoes in black suit smart casual and cocktail codes. The Rain-or-Shine Chelsea Boots have a rubber sole and a wipe-clean upper for a more relaxed party. Our men's smart-casual shoe guide compares the styles.
Coats. A long, tailored coat covers a dress or suit jacket and looks right on arrival. The Women's Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Coat goes over evening wear. For men at a relaxed party, the Faux Shearling Aviator Jacket has broad lapels that turn up against the wind. Our winter coat guide explains how to choose one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear jeans to a Christmas party?
Only if the invitation says casual or the party is at the pub. For smart casual and above, Debrett's advises against denim. At a relaxed party, dark or black jeans with a metallic or satin top work well.
Is a Christmas jumper acceptable at an office party?
Only if the invitation asks for one or it is a known tradition at your workplace. Otherwise, choose a festive colour or fabric instead.
Find your party outfit
Browse women's dresses, women's suits, men's trousers and men's footwear. For sizing or delivery questions, see our FAQs.
Written by the Murbick Team, the people who choose and list the clothing and homeware in our shop. Our guides are researched from the public sources listed below, and product details are checked against our own listings on the date shown.
Spotted something out of date? Contact us and we will correct it. About Murbick.
Sources
- Debrett's: Deconstructing dress codes, last visited 1 November 2026.
- Met Office: Dull and mild February brings a wet winter to a close (2 March 2026), last visited 1 November 2026.
- Product details: Murbick product listings, checked 1 November 2026.
- Photos: "All decked up" by Clem Onojeghuo, Oxford Street, London, and "Wedding day shoes" by Josh Felise, via Wikimedia Commons (originally Unsplash), CC0 1.0, cropped.
