December tends to bring with it a flurry of year-end activities across the world, but in Nigeria, this period can hold extra special importance. Apart from planning for Christmas, there are other social activities to prepare for – Christmas concert in your child’s school, thanksgiving ceremonies and, most important for this topic, the office party!
When you have spent the whole year working hard, the office end-of-year party is the perfect opportunity to let your hair down. However, it can be tricky to it is important to keep a few tips in mind to ensure you look your absolute best!
Here are our top 5 tips:
1. It may be a party, but it’s still a work event
This is such an important tip, given our “owambe” culture and penchant for turn-ups. It is very key to remember that even though it’s a social activity, the end-of-year party is still “work”. You should, therefore, keep your look professional and responsible. However, it is always cool to experiment with Nigerian prints and fabrics – nothing like a classy Ankara evening dress.
CREDIT: Womansday.com
For ladies, avoid clothing that is too tight, too short or too revealing (watch the cleavage!) – it’s not a “Sexiest of Them All” contest and you should be careful not to expose yourself to office gossip or pointing fingers just because you chose to wear a backless mini dress. For guys, avoid overtly bright colours, bling accessories or anything that looks like it belongs on the beach – except, of course, it’s a beach party 😀
2. Comfort is number one – dress to flatter your body type
This is especially for the ladies. It’s good to be “on trend”, but only if the trend works for your body. In choosing the outfit to wear, be conscious of the fact that certain fabrics such as jersey are more forgiving of any excess flesh, whereas silk tends to show all imperfections. In addition , ensure you stick to your current size versus your goal size – you don’t want to look all squashed into a Size 6 dress where you are actually a Size 10. Same goes for your shoes, if you are not used to wearing heels, then opt for a more sensible option that 5″ sky-high stilletos.
3. Coordinate your pieces
While you don’t need all your pieces to match (bo-ring!), it’s a good idea to check beforehand that they all go well together. Even if you choose to add a splash of colour, it makes sense to keep them understated – no orange top on lemon green trousers and neon pink belt for a black-tie event, for instant. You can opt to go with different shades of the same colour or different colours on the same colour wheel to keep things looking “on point”.
4. Accessorize yourself!
Using the right accessories can take your outfit from regular to outright glam! For men, keep an eye on your tie, pocket-square, cufflinks, belts and shoes. For women, the earrings, necklace, brooch, purse and shoes. It’s important that your accessories give off an air of understated elegance and class.
5. Prepare to impress
You never can tell who you just might be speaking to at the office end-of-year party, so prepare yourself to ensure you can have smart, intelligent conversations and make the right impression. Who knows, your next promotion just might come faster 😀
So, these are our 5 tips. Any more you would like to add?