‘Tis the season to be social, dear readers, whether you’re schmoozing at a client dinner, attending the firm holiday party or meeting friends for cocktails post-work. If your schedule is anything like mine, you’re just waiting for December to pass so you can get some much-needed R&R! And if you’re anything like me, you don’t have time to plan anything — you can barely finish your work and do your holiday shopping, let alone even think about being fashionable. So I’m here to make it easy for you. Here is my handy list of outfit ideas and where to wear them during the December party circuit:
Client Dinner
The look you’re going for is polished and professional, but with a flash of festivity. After all, it’s the holidays! Try a sleek pair of navy tuxedo pants, paired with a long sleeved cream silk blouse and glittery heels (I like the Cleminia style from Aldo). You could also go for a 
sweet peplum top (still in, still everywhere at all price points!) and black cigarette pants, but add a sparkly collar necklace and a patent clutch to inject some glam. A little side tip — don’t order the spaghetti marinara! And be careful with eating shrimp by hand; I once literally shot a shrimp tail across the table and hit my colleague in the chest during a client lunch. Good times.
Work Party
You might want to bust out that red mini so that everyone knows you can party as hard as you work, but that’s a bad idea. Instead, inject just the right amount of festivity while keeping it tasteful. Try a sparkly red sweater from J. Crew and pair with a classic navy pencil skirt and nude pumps. Alternatively, sport some tartan printed pants [Ed. Note: This particular style is sold out unless you’re over 5’9″ and a size 12, but you get the idea] with a silk 
blouse and cropped jacket. Fashion tips aside, you may look fabulous, but don’t drink too much: bad things happen when you combine several vodkas and that cute colleague you have a crush on. And choose a chain-strap purse over a clutch — there’s nothing more annoying than trying to balance your bag, drink and napkin full of snacks while maneuvering through a hot room.
Cocktails with Friends
Obviously (well, hopefully!), your friends don’t care that you’re a lawyer, and they certainly don’t care whether you look like you could win their case or close their deal. So feel free to branch out a little. Depending on the venue, you might feel like experimenting with a 
leather skirt, simple black tee, booties and a spiked cuff. If your night out is set to turn into something more, a dress is your best bet. There are tons of great styles right now, from Baroque-style embellished frocks to sequined numbers to my personal fave, the dress inspired by ’20s flapper style. Don a pair of platform pumps and select a big pair of earrings, and you’re good to go!
When determining what to wear during the holiday season, always keep in mind the venue, the audience and of course, your own personal comfort level. If you’re tugging at your skirt or worried every time the light catches your necklace, you won’t be focused on having a good time. So while it’s definitely the season to try out something glitzy, you also need to be yourself. That said, I heartily suggest picking up just one glam item to get you through these next few weeks — and at the end of it all, you can put on your jammies and enjoy those vacation days. I know I will!
Emma Williamson is a fashion-obsessed corporate commercial lawyer at FMC. Her mission is to inspire Precedent’s female readers to break out of a style rut while obeying obvious and not-so-obvious workplace dress codes. Follow her on Twitter: @EmmaWorkStyle.
Have questions or a column idea for Emma? Send them to tips@lawandstyle.beta-site.ca.
Image: DNY59 via iStockphoto