What to wear to DH corporate Christmas party at a golf club hotel?

[EnergySauce]

We have just been invited and I have not been to a party like this for many years. No idea if women still dress up to these events? The unregulated workwear looks so different now. What type of outfit should I look for not to appear dated? I am 5.4 size 8, no insecurities to minimise, enjoy heels but feel even they are “out” now. Thank you.

Hi OP ,firstly do you want to buy something new will you be buying on Vinted. Are there any photos of last year's vent. I imagine that those who like sequins etc will wear it and for those like my Mum who hates such things you could wear typical winter colours, reds ,greens and so on .It will be interesting to se what others suggest. Enjoy the party when it happens.

First question should be do you wish to go to something out of the last century? If you feel you can, then agree don't bother with anything new.

There is nothing from last year to benchmark and I will be buying new. I am not so much after a specific item but more of a how dressed up these events are in 2026.

Ref. last century - I don’t know. I have a lace pencil dress from Hobbs in dark pine green that I wear every Christmas Day for the last 4 years because it’s perfect and I love it, and I’m still a sucker for the power dresses of Karen Brady Apprentice years.

But in every day life I am more Reiss, VB inspired, Mango sleek…

There was a short black dress in Zara with big puff shoulders, they had them in windows last year, I admired but had nowhere to wear. I would consider something like this. The only thing is I am 48, DH is a manager, would a short dress be inappropriate?

It is August.

Id come back to this a fortnight before the party.

Enjoy the rest of the summer for now.

This is my Hobbs dress, it really suits me, but I feel like it has Hobbs Mom written all over it. However, I wore a lace Self Portrait dress to me wedding which DD knew and when she saw me wear Hobbs dress, she asked if it was another SP treat. So, I am not sure…

@Shedmistress Why? I enjoy the process of looking for something, why shouldn’t I drag it out?

The dress

For a Christmas party in a golf club, I'd try to find an old littlewoods catalogue from years ago and take my inspiration from there.

@JacknDiane I genuinely not sure if it’s a joke and should I take offence😂

Lot of undeserved nastiness here. It’s Style and Beauty not AIBU.

On dress, I suspect it’s a case of ‘anything goes’ now really.

At my office do’s women still dress up - even heels or at least pointy flats - perhaps because they don’t do so as much as formerly during the day. Last year there was lots of velvet, sequins and the usual black. Dresses or flowy wide trousers.

For length again , anything goes. Last year Whistles ( which I usually find on the ball for our age group) had both knee length velvet numbers and the midi slightly more flowy silhouette.

Why would a short dress be inappropriate at 48?!!

The Hobbs dress is fine. Most importantly, you feel comfortable and confident in it.

I don’t know why posters are being sniffy about the event.

Hey OP, my favourite outfits at corp events are the ones worn with confidence. One junior lady on another team always wears killing eve level outfits and I swear she’s my favourite. You’re only ever overdressed if you hunch your shoulders and recheck your outfit a load of times.

so find something you feel good in. If unsure go medium dressy but Christmas party typically women love to dress up after a year dressing corporate.