It’s tempting to pull out the Rudolph sweater from the back of the closet as office party season approaches. But before you step out in your campiest festive wear, consider leaving it on the hanger.

The reason? A business-related social gathering is still business and not a holiday party at your aunt’s, says Linda Allan, a certified management consultant in Toronto who specializes in business etiquette. Thus, when choosing an outfit for your office holiday party it’s often best to be conservative.

Here are a few wardrobe suggestions for your next seasonal social:

Holiday outfits for ladies
Keep your cocktail attire conservative and elegant to be a hit at the office party.

Stay away from anything that’s clingy, see-through or low-cut, says Diane Craig, president of Corporate Class Inc., a corporate image consultancy in Toronto.

Instead, try to bring some holiday colour to your outfit with a bright fuchsia or red jacket over a black top and skirt, says Craig.

Craig warns against buying a fancy evening gown. Wearing something memorable means you won’t be able to wear it again, which can become expensive as you buy new outfits every year.

Wear a tie that’s colourful, not loud
A nice tie can brighten up a dark suit for the annual holiday party, but if it requires batteries, save it for family functions.

For a formal holiday party, it’s better to wear a solid green or red tie to be professional, but still festive, says Craig.

Remember to iron
Whatever you decide to wear, make sure it is clean and professional looking.

To be perfect for a holiday party, all clothing should be “crisp, clean and well-ironed,” says Allan.

OK, you can wear the Rudolph sweater — sometimes
A reason why people wear holiday sweaters and ties is to bring a little bit of fun and colour to the office. You can still do that — you just need to be sure it’s the right setting.

This means that if you’re at an outside holiday party where there are potential clients, it’s best to give the reindeer sweater a pass, says Craig.

On the other hand, if it’s a more casual private office party, it’s OK to show off your goofy side.

Arriving in a tacky, but fun sweater with 15 flying reindeer on it shows your colleagues that you have a good sense of humour and holiday spirit, says Allan.

When you’re in doubt about what to wear to the holiday party, Allan suggests thinking about what is appropriate for your company, your client culture, the industry and your own personal brand.

IE