Here's how to blend in with the crowd at the next office party

The hectic pace of the festive social calendar can elicit as much dread as it does excitement—but work functions are a lot easier to face if you’re looking and feeling your best. From dressing with confidence to commanding conversation over mulled wine and mince pies, our talented collaborators—all seasoned party professionals—offer their advice for successfully combining business with merrymaking (top tip: try not to overindulge).

FOR PANIC SHOPPERS

“What you wear to a work party reveals your knowledge and understanding of your workplace,” says the stylist Elizabeth Stewart, who put together Viola Davis’ striking looks for our Women of the Year shoot.

With a client list that also includes Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, and Sandra Bullock, Stewart is adept at making sartorial choices that suit both individual and occasion. For a business event, she suggests focusing on fit (“a stylist’s secret weapon”), perhaps opting for an inexpensive suit but having it tailored like an expensive one, then adding a chic yet comfortable pair of shoes. “Louboutin heels elevate everything, but only if you can walk in them,” warns Stewart. “It’s painful to see someone stumbling around. Block heels are so much easier to wear—I have a few metallic pairs by Gucci that go with everything.”

While the little black dress has been a reliably elegant choice for parties since Coco Chanel’s original design made a splash in 1926, many women prefer a longer hemline in a professional setting. But there are ways to style a short skirt appropriately, says Stewart: “Just balance it with long sleeves and a pair of flats. The same applies for bright colours: a classic dress in a jewel tone is a great way to stand out, if you keep the rest simple.”

Lastly, an office party isn’t the moment to experiment with a brand-new style. “Stay in your wheelhouse—I find it odd when someone dresses up and suddenly looks like a different person,” she says. “Wearing a stellar outfit that is still ‘you’ is a form of strength.”

FOR THE CAMERA-SHY

If you’re not used to being in front of a lens, posing for pictures can feel exhausting. Bazaar’s contributing photographer Rachel Louise Brown, who took the portrait of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, has some advice to make the process less anxiety-inducing. “Engage with the photographer and have a conversation with them,” she says. “If you’re feeling unsure, ask them to show you how to stand.”

While the best photos are the most natural, Brown offers a few failsafe steps for presenting yourself favourably. “First, check your teeth in the mirror, then keep your chin up and tilt your head slightly. Posture is very important: with a straight back and an elongated neck, you’ll radiate elegance,” she says. “A group picture is a good idea, too: having your closest colleagues with you can help you relax.” And no one looks professional quaffing an espresso martini, so always put down your glass before you strike a pose.

FOR WALLFLOWERS

As our Television Actress of the Year Sienna Miller’s friend and publicist, Tori Cook is practised at attending busy, glamorous events. “When you first arrive, look around and take everything in. Try to see the room as a whole,” she advises. If you’re attending on your own, as business functions often necessitate, don’t feel pressured to seek people out; instead, pick up a drink and find a cosy corner to establish as your base, allowing others to come to you. And while a work party is an excellent opportunity to network, “there’s nothing worse than people going straight in to talk about business—you need to lay a foundation beforehand,” says Cook. “It’s good to break the ice with a bit of humour, because although you might think everyone else has confidence, underneath we’re all feeling the same way.” Finally, keep a stack of business cards handy to share with your new connections. “It’s old-school, but there’s a power in that.”

FOR THE TIME-POOR

“If you want to make the most of a party, choose your company with care,” says the talent consultant Ivana Giachino, who helps bring together the perfect mix of guests at Bazaar’s Women of the Year Awards. “If you’re allowed a plus one, select someone from a similar industry who’ll be comfortable at the event,” she recommends. “Pick a friend who won’t need any babysitting, so that if you do want to go and speak to someone else, they’ll be able to start a conversation on their own.” Can’t stay long? Make a beeline for the hostess on arrival so they know you’re in attendance, and then “just slip out quietly when you feel the time is right,” says Giachino. “It’s less about the amount of time you’re at a party than what you do while you’re there. Be present in your conversations, really listen to what people are saying and, most of all, cherish the moments. It’s meant to be fun!”

This piece originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar UK.