When it comes to office holiday parties, there's almost always One. The One who's folded and tucked herself into a seemingly too tight dress or is dressed completely inappropriately. The One who can't walk in her new heels or forgot that it was -20 outside, the middle of winter and she's walking around in, well, very little. And most often, she's not The One you want to be.
But then again, there's the other One. The One who looks absolutely incredible. The One who, when you see her, you do a double-take and can't believe your eyes. The One who can only be described as Va-Va-Voom. And more often than not, she's The One most women want to be.
Here are five simple ways to ensure that you're The One at the office holiday party that they're discussing around the water cooler Monday morning -- in a good way.
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How to be a star at the holiday party
1. Too Short to be Sweet
When it comes to skirts or dresses, there's short and then there's I-can-see-your-a** short. So how do know how short you can go before you're considered trashy instead of classy?
Can you bend over without flashing someone? Can you sit without exposing yourself? Are you able to move, walk and/or dance without someone wanting to slip you a dollar bill? Then you're probably OK.
If you're still not sure, there's always the finger tip rule. Place your hands at your sides and if the skirt is shorter than your middle finger then it's too short. Longer, then you should be safe. It doesn't hurt to wear opaque tights though -- just in case.
2. Flattering Will Get You Everywhere
Before you decide what you wear to your office holiday party, consider what flatters your figure best. Certain styles and cuts will always look best on certain body shapes while other styles are a bit more forgiving or universally flattering.
If you're unsure, hit the shops and try on a variety of outfits and/or dress styles to see which are most complimentary. If you're still undecided, take an honest friend along. Sometimes a second pair of eyes can make a world of difference.
3. Size Matters
Whatever you decide to wear, make sure it fits. Properly. If it's a little snug in certain areas, and it's possible, have it let out. If it's loose in others, have it taken in.
It's pretty obvious when something doesn't fit right and it detracts from the overall success of a look. Too tight can look like you're trying too hard to make it work and depending on the outfit, might seem a bit trashy. Too loose can look sloppy and like you didn't care enough to put in the effort of finding a proper outfit.
4. Take Care of the Girls
Ahh, the girls. There's something about office holiday parties that bring them out into the open. Some women feel that this is the time of the year to show off their boobs. If this is you and you have something to show off, then go for it. But I suggest you tape 'em down, strap 'em in and make sure they stay where they're supposed to. This is not the time nor the place to have a wardrobe malfunction.
5. If the Shoe Fits
What better time to buy a new pair of shoes than the holiday party season? But for the love of all that is good and decent, buy a pair of shoes that you can actually walk in. It also doesn't hurt to wear them in a bit before your party.
There's no point in going to all the effort of buying the right outfit, getting all dolled up and putting great amounts of energy into looking incredible, only to have it overshadowed by the fact that you hobbled and stumbled around all night.
Extra Tip: Know Your Limit
This extra tip, while not included in the list above, has nothing to do with what you wear but is equally important.
The truth of the matter is that some people can hold their liquor and some people can't. Some know their limit and some will keep drinking until they're cut off -- in one way or another.
If you're unsure of how much drink you think you can handle, here's one simple way to keep yourself from dancing on the table or passing out underneath: if you find yourself getting a little unsteady on your feet, then stop drinking. This is the point of no return. Because at this point, you can still save yourself. You can blame it on the shoes.