Jewelry for the Office Christmas Party: How to Choose
What jewelry should you wear to the office Christmas party? Go for just enough sparkle: one piece that stands out, usually your earrings, and keep the rest calm. Coming straight from your desk? No need to change: swap your small studs for something that sparkles at five o'clock, and your outfit is ready for the party.
The short answer
Just enough sparkle for the office Christmas party:
- One eye-catcher: statement earrings or a striking necklace, not both.
- From desk to party: small studs during the day, something with cubic zirconia or length at five.
- Choose by neckline: a pendant with a V-neck or blazer, bigger earrings with a turtleneck.
- Cubic zirconia: catches the low light of candles and fairy lights.
- Comfort: light, waterproof and hypoallergenic, because a party always lasts longer than you think.
Just enough sparkle: let one piece do the work
The office Christmas party is not a gala, but it is not an ordinary Friday afternoon either. You want to look festive, yet you will be standing next to your manager and colleagues. That is why the rule of one works: choose one piece that stands out and let the rest play a supporting role.
At a party, that is almost always your earrings. You stand, you talk, people look at your face, and a necklace half disappears behind the glass in your hand or under your scarf. With a plain dress, a black blouse or a fine knit, statement earrings get all the attention. The gold-tone Kaia drop earrings in the opening photo do it with length and movement; these three do it with shape.
From desk to party, without changing
Your outfit does not need to change; your earrings do. During the day, wear something small and calm, like the Amber classic 2 cm hoops or the organic Oona studs. At five o'clock they come out and something sparkly goes in. Because earrings sit right next to your face, your whole look changes in thirty seconds: same blouse, different evening.
For the swap, choose something with cubic zirconia or a little length. December venues tend to be dim, with candles and fairy lights, and the lower the light, the more a cut stone gives back.
Choose by neckline, not by jewelry box
What looks good depends less on what you like and more on what you are wearing. So look at your neckline first; after that, choosing suddenly becomes easy.
Blazer or V-neck
An open V asks for something that follows the line. A pendant works best when it hangs above the lowest point of your neckline, somewhere between your collarbones and the tip of the V. Under an open blazer, a fine necklace with a little sparkle is just enough.
Pictured
Layla – sparkle under your blazer
A paperclip chain with small cubic zirconia stones between the links. During the day you only see a fine gold-tone line under your blazer; at the party, with the blazer open, every stone catches the light.
View the Layla →Turtleneck or high neckline
With a turtleneck, a short necklace has no place: it sits on the fabric instead of your skin. Leave it out and let your earrings do the work, or choose a long necklace that clearly falls over the fabric.
Boat neck, square neck or bare shoulders
Here, the line of your clothing is already the statement. Choose a short, fine necklace that rests on your collarbones, or skip the necklace. For more combinations, see which necklace for which neckline.
When to leave the necklace at home
Sometimes wearing nothing is the best choice. Leave the necklace out if you are already wearing statement earrings, as the two compete for the same attention. Skip it too if your fabric already shines: sequins, lurex or satin catch the light perfectly well on their own. With a bow, ruffles or a high collar there is simply no room. And if you wear an access badge or lanyard all evening, that is enough around your neck.
Prefer it subtle? Here is how to keep it festive
Not every workplace is somewhere you want to stand out, and not everyone feels comfortable in big earrings. You do not have to. Festive is as much about shine as it is about size: a fine bracelet that catches the light, a tiny flower with a stone, a little bow in your ear.
Shop the look
Slank goud – fine and refined
A flat snake chain, entwined hearts at your wrist and a little flower with cubic zirconia in your ear. Small and refined, yet noticed straight away.
- Danielle snake chain bracelet
- Alice bracelet with entwined hearts
- Livan flower studs with zirconia
A long evening, the practical side
An office party is not a photo shoot. There are toasts and dancing, coats go on and off, and by eleven you will be glad you are wearing something you do not have to think about.
- WaterproofA spilled glass or washing your hands: no problem for premium stainless steel with a PVD coating.
- HypoallergenicYou wear them for six or seven hours straight. Good to know if you have sensitive ears; read more about hypoallergenic jewelry.
- LightBig earrings do not have to be heavy. Open and hollow shapes look bold but feel light.
- Coat on, coat offLong drop earrings can catch on a scarf. If you are in and out a lot, studs and hoops are more practical.
Secret Santa at the party?
Drawing names for Secret Santa at your party? A small piece of jewelry is a gift almost everyone is happy with, and it fits easily into an envelope or bag. Find ideas in our Secret Santa guides for a small budget and with a little more room. Every piece ships in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own webshop you always get a free gift bag: handy if you want to hand it over straight away.
Next up: Christmas and New Year's Eve
After the party come the holidays themselves. For Christmas, you will find four complete looks in our Christmas lookbook, and New Year's Eve can sparkle a little more: read what jewelry to wear on New Year's Eve. Is your office party a gala dinner with a dress code? See jewelry for a gala dress. Wearing your hair up? Find out which earrings suit an updo.
Shipping and gift wrapping
Order before 3 pm (CET) on a working day and we ship the same day. Free shipping thresholds vary by country; see our shipping page. With larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts as well (different ones every month).
Frequently asked questions about office party jewelry
What jewelry should you wear to the office Christmas party?
Go for just enough sparkle: one piece that stands out and the rest kept calm. Usually that is your earrings, because people look at your face and a necklace disappears behind a glass or under a scarf. Statement earrings with a plain dress, blouse or jumper are the easiest choice.
Can you wear statement earrings to a work Christmas party?
Yes. They work especially well with a professional outfit: a plain blouse, blazer or dress is a calm canvas. Skip the necklace so the earrings remain the one eye-catcher.
How do you go from desk to Christmas party without changing?
Just swap your earrings. Wear small studs or slim hoops during the day and put in something with cubic zirconia or length at five o'clock. Because earrings sit right next to your face, your whole look changes in half a minute.
Which necklace goes with a blazer or V-neck?
A fine necklace with a pendant or small stones that sits above the lowest point of your neckline. Under a blazer, a paperclip chain with cubic zirconia works beautifully: calm during the day, a little sparkle with the blazer open.
What should you wear with a turtleneck or high neckline?
Leave out a short necklace, as it sits on the fabric instead of your skin. Choose bigger earrings, or a long necklace that clearly falls over the turtleneck.
Can you wear these pieces all evening?
Yes. Premium stainless steel with a PVD coating is waterproof and hypoallergenic, so a spilled drink or washing your hands is no problem and your earlobes stay comfortable. Statement earrings with open or hollow shapes are light to wear, too.
Ready for the office party?
From statement earrings to subtle sparkle: waterproof, hypoallergenic and always in a luxury gift box.
