What (& What Not) to Wear to Your Holiday Office Party [PHOTOS]

The holiday season is upon us and that can only mean one thing - holiday office parties. 

As the fetes start to roll out, many are left wondering what (and what not) to wear to their office parties this year. And this is a serious matter, as many are flustered by the thought of mingling with coworkers outside of the office space. Having to worry about fashion is just an added stress. 

Here are some tips on what to wear, and what not to wear, to your holiday office party this year. 

What to Wear

For a holiday office party, "classy" is the key phrase to keep in mind. Though simple and sophisticated are always welcome, a bit of pizazz will certainly not hurt either. Since it is the holidays, it is perfectly acceptable to wear something with a little more oomph to it. 

This season some of the biggest trends are sparkle, lace, metallics and red. There are ways to make each of these looks work-oriented.

For instance, when wearing something sparkly - such as a gold sequined top or glittering pumps - make sure to keep the rest of your outfit simple. Opt for black trousers instead of a short black skirt with the top, or a white sweater and cigarette pants with the pumps. 

When wearing lace, something like a lace dress or lace tights, make sure that you balance it as well. A lace dress is a beautiful option, so long as the cut is long and the fit is not skin-tight. Lace tights are just as lovely, but pair them with a knee-length skirt and modest top to keep the "sexy" at a minimum. 

Keep in mind the location. If you are going to a party in the office, you are not required to dress as fancy as you would be for a formal party at a separate venue. If you are going to the party straight from work, you can bring along some accessories to add to your outfit at the end of the day instead of being glitzed up from 9 to 5.

What NOT to Wear 

What NOT to wear might be more important than what to wear. Holiday office parties are just that, parties; but employees must be careful to never overstep the boundaries of professionalism. 

Woman should never wear plunging necklines that reveal even an inch cleavage. Do not wear mini skirts or bandage dresses or anything sheer, either. It is important to remember that even though this is a social event, you will be surround by people you work with -- and people who you will have to face bright and early the next day.

Do not reach for the Christmas-themed sweater (unless you are going to an Ugly Sweater Party) as this will come off as tastelessly goofy. It is also best not to add on any holiday-themed accessories to even the most prim ensembles, i.e. reindeer antlers or garland. 

It is important to remember that this is a special gathering that your employers have went out of their way to plan. Make sure to never dress too casual so as to display nonchalance. 

Check out the slideshow, complete with some perfect holiday office party options. Leave any suggestions or feedback in the comments section below. 

Typical work trousers are in camel, gray or black. A good holiday option would be to go for a pattern or a color. The "Long Georginne Zip Pant" by Diane von Furstenberg is a stunning option. The black jacquard pants are spotted with gold dots and have ankle zips. Pair them with a muted-colored silk top, and you will have a stunning holiday party ensemble. Don't forget some deep red lipstick to top off the look. Buy these at dvf.com for $325.

Sequined-anything is always a classic option for holiday wear. This Vince gold-sequined crepe blouse is the perfect choice because the cut is modest but the shimmer is bold. Pair this top with simple black cigarette pants and crushed velvet pumps for the perfect fete fashion. Buy this at netaporter.com for $435.

Lace tights can make for great holiday office party attire. Just make sure to pair with a simple outfit, like a knee-length black skirt and a camel-colored sweater to keep the sexy-factor at a minimum. This pair from CUSP by Neiman Marcus is in a shadowy hue, making them more sophisticated than scandalous. Buy them at cusp.com for $18.

Chandelier earrings will top off any outfit - holiday or not. These will work with a sophisticated dress or a casual chic pantsuit. To make your look truly sparkle, try these Kate Spade New York earrings from Bloomingdale's for $128.

Blazers are a staple in any work wardrobe. However, for a holiday party, it would be a good idea to whip out one that is a bit more snazzy. To make this look extra-chic, pair with a shell top, a lace skirt and a pair of black and gold shoes. This Theyskens' Theory "Jaco" striped-lapel wool-blend blazer is a fancier option to an everyday piece. Buy this at netaporter.com for $645.

If you are not interested in veering from your everyday-work attire, then try carrying a fancy clutch to your holiday party. It will add that special something to a standard outfit. Wear a crossbody clutch with a pair of sleek boots. This Tory Burch "Robinson" mini bag in moss gold is a festive choice. Buy this at toryburch.com for $365.

You do not want to go overboard with the embellishment, but a bit of silver and gold fringe on the hem adds a stunningly festive pop. Buy this dress from oasis-stores.com for $150. This particular frock would look great with some chunky modern jewelry, contrasting the Jazz-age with a contempo vibe.

Red is a gorgeous color all year round, but for the holidays is seems extra special. This dress from Oasis is perfect because of its cap sleeves and delicate draping. To avoid going too overboard, paint your nails a pale pink or caramel color. Buy this dress at oasis-stores.com for $115.

A bold necklace is always a great choice for any fete. For an office party, though, you want to keep the boldness down at a certain tone. Instead of screaming "obnoxious," this collar neck piece says "chic." This Alexis Bittar liquid collar necklace is sold at shopbop.com for $375.

In an emphasis on the understated, feathers are a great option on any holiday outfit. However, this trend must be handled with care. For a holiday office party you want to have subtle feathering detail - exhibited on this J.Crew "Naomi" feather and sequin-embellished silk skirt. This skirt would be a great choice paired with a simple white button down. Buy this outnet.com for $242.50.

A brightly colored button down is not an everyday choice. So why not wear one to your holiday party? For those who want to stick to their classic attire, a pop of fantastic color will add that extra oomph at your office outing. Buy the "Blythe" blouse for $98 at jcrew.com.

Glitter pumps are a perfect pick for those looking to stand out this holiday season. These glitter-cork platform pumps by B Brian Atwood are pretty and prim. Buy these at shopbop.com for $325.