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Original poster

Is a mini dress ok for a work Christmas party?

36 replies

Cafeaulait27 · 30/12/2022 18:50

I know it depends a lot on your workplace but just wondering your opinions on mini/short dresses for a Christmas party.

Our work Christmas do is in January this year and there is a black strappy sequin dress I have which I love and would wear with black tights and black heels. It is short though, would you think this was inappropriate if you saw a colleague wearing it?

I’m slim (size 8) with a small chest so no cleavage will be on show. I am unsure and will probably ask around to find out what other colleagues are wearing, but just wanted to get some opinions here too.

this isn’t the exact dress but the outfit will probably look a bit like this:

Is a mini dress ok for a work Christmas party?
OP posts:
girlmom21 · 30/12/2022 18:52

It looks like a nightdress and someone trying to dress 'sexily' for a new boyfriend in the bedroom. Sorry OP.

girlmom21 · 30/12/2022 18:53

I think it's the lace at the top

Spaghetti201 · 30/12/2022 18:54

I think it’s a bit short. I would be sticking to longer to be on the safe side. Save the “fun” outfits for your friends night out, not a professional night out. Just my opinion.

Original poster
Cafeaulait27 · 30/12/2022 18:54

Ah sorry - this isn’t the exact dress, the one I have doesn’t have any lace but I can’t find a photo! Is the lace the only thing you have a problem with?

OP posts:
LittleDisaster · 30/12/2022 18:55

It's a party, I think it's fine.

ZenNudist · 30/12/2022 18:56

It's not great sorry. Save it for night out with friends. Too short for a work do.

girlmom21 · 30/12/2022 18:57

Cafeaulait27 · 30/12/2022 18:54

Ah sorry - this isn’t the exact dress, the one I have doesn’t have any lace but I can’t find a photo! Is the lace the only thing you have a problem with?

I think that's what makes it look inappropriate. Without that I think the outfit is fine

coffeepleeease · 30/12/2022 18:58

I think it's fine, it a party dress!

McDonaldsMcChanel · 30/12/2022 19:05

How would you feel if everyone else dressed in more 'boring' clothes and all eyes were on you, potentially tut-tutting under their breath?

Not sure why but my feeling is that if there are going to be lots of people in, say, a bar with other non-work people then it's fine. If it's just a handful I would say inappropriate.

Original poster
Cafeaulait27 · 30/12/2022 19:11

Thanks everyone, really good to get opinions on it! The last thing I want is to stand out for the wrong reasons.

there will be about 50 people, at a private venue. People do go all out and wear party clothes, last year I think a couple of people wore short dresses without tights. Some people also wear like floor length sparkly dresses.

I don’t want to look slutty though, so still not sure! I may end up in a nice safe knee length lbd…

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 30/12/2022 19:50

I think with dark tights it'd fine. It's short but you'll vr decent, you're not flashing up top

SheWoreYellow · 30/12/2022 19:52

Oh I wanted to say it’ll be fine, but it’s really short isn’t it? I think it’s a bit too short. Sorry.

Notonyournellykelly · 30/12/2022 20:01

Depends how tall you are I think. I'd look waaaaay ott in that as I'm tall and quite long-legged (ooooo get me...ignoring the mum tum.and gargantuan hips). If you're quite petite and not booby or anything, I'd say that would be ok

Charliehaus · 30/12/2022 21:37

It’s lovely
don’t listen to the ridiculous responses here

LoveAHolidayOrTwo · 30/12/2022 21:40

I think the length is ok but the length and bare arms wouldn’t be my first choice for a work do.

candlelightflora · 30/12/2022 22:41

I think the length would be ok with tights but because it’s also strappy I feel like it’s a bit too much flesh on show for a work party. Do you have some kind of cover up for the top half in case everyone else is dressed more conservatively?

Loki64 · 31/12/2022 00:37

I really like it!
With tights too the only skin that would be on show is your arms!
Depends on the industry and event i suppose. I work in marketing and i definetly would have worn this to my xmas do.

KimmySchmitt · 31/12/2022 01:26

It's absolutely fine! I think it looks nice. I work in healthcare and wore something similar to my work night out, although it did have long sleeves. But we're not Victorians, nobody's going to pass out at the sight of a shoulder. Especially fine with black tights, if you were planning bare legs it might not be the best choice. However, if you're going to feel uncomfortable or self-conscious in it, wear something else.

DrWhoNowww · 31/12/2022 03:58

With tights it would be fine for my work do - I’m 5ft though, I’m not sure I’d risk it if I was tall if that makes any sense?

Its really dependant on your work crowd, the relationship you have with them, venue , type of part etc so it’s difficult to say.

As a general rule though, if I have to question whether an outfit is appropriate for the occasion I end up not wearing it.

Namaste6 · 31/12/2022 05:29

I think it's a lovely dress - yes it's short in the photo, but how tall are you? It may not be as short on you? Rule of thumb - don't wear anything that's higher than the narrowest part of your thigh (so mid thigh basically) and always, always wear dark opaque tights (unless of course it's a beach dress)!

It also depends on how professional your company is?

Original poster
Cafeaulait27 · 31/12/2022 08:30

Thanks everyone, all very useful replies. I agree that if there’s any doubt in my mind it’s probably a no! Really wanted to wear it but agree it’s probably best saved for a non work event.

I don’t want to be heading to the party wondering if I’m going to look inappropriate 😅

OP posts:
DomesticShortHair · 31/12/2022 08:37

I think it’s fine to wear a party dress for a party (not children's birthday!), however, as you said you’d only end up worrying about it and spoiling your night. So I’d probably wear something that won’t distract you.

LlynTegid · 31/12/2022 09:42

I think you have made the right decision, though it does not seem my idea of fun. Hope it is a pleasant evening.

FlamingJingleBells · 31/12/2022 09:45

No it’s too short for a work event, remember these are people that you work with daily. It might be a night out but it’s still a good idea to maintain professional boundaries. This means not looking like you’re going clubbing with mates, getting so drunk that you can’t remember what you did the night before.

Leave the dress for a night out with friends.

VladmirsPoutine · 31/12/2022 09:47

FlamingJingleBells · 31/12/2022 09:45

No it’s too short for a work event, remember these are people that you work with daily. It might be a night out but it’s still a good idea to maintain professional boundaries. This means not looking like you’re going clubbing with mates, getting so drunk that you can’t remember what you did the night before.

Leave the dress for a night out with friends.

This is the long and short of it for me too.