View larger image Planners say that while plans are being scaled back, attendance is actually up at many parties. The beer guy at CTV.ca's 2007 office party.

What to wear? How much to drink at the office party?

Updated Thu. Dec. 11 2008 9:57 AM ET

Sheri Block, CTV.ca

We can all think of someone who's had too much to drink at the work Christmas party. Someone who spent the night dancing on the table, throwing up in the bathroom, telling off the boss or sneaking off with a co-worker.

Depending on your behaviour, the consequences can range from mild ribbing to a reason for termination, says Louise Fox, who owns the Toronto-based company The Etiquette Ladies.

"If you've really done something foolish and really misbehaved, dust off your resumé the next day," she says.

The first thing to remember about holiday work parties, says Fox, is that they're really not a party at all, but instead a business meeting with the addition of food, alcohol and music.

"People who think that just because they're off the premises everything they do and say is off the record are mistaken," says Fox.

It can take months, even years, to live down a blunder, depending on the severity.

Fox cites an example from her days working as an event planner in the corporate world of a girl who had misbehaved at the Christmas party six years prior. The woman didn't even work at the company any longer, but everyone still talked about her and they continued to add little details to a story that was probably not so bad to begin with.

"It just got really, really bizarre, you know gymnastics, table dancing, lack of underwear and all that sort of thing," says Fox.

"If you misbehave at the Christmas party it spreads like wildfire the next day depending on the mistakes you made, you're in the party hall of shame forever."

With that in mind, Fox says the key is limiting your alcohol consumption.

"It seems like a lot of people think, 'Oh well I didn't get the raise or the company's not treating me right or this is my time to show my wild side.' They drink too much, they pig out at the buffet; they think they're on 'Dancing with the Stars' and all they're really showing to the higher-ups is they don't have any self control."

She also advises to treat bosses with the same respect you would at work, don't flirt or make passes at them, and don't spend all the time with people you already know as this is a good opportunity to socialize with people from other departments as well as higher-ups you may not get a chance to speak with otherwise.

"Don't just talk business, make small talk. Show you're a charming individual who can be comfortable in a variety of situations," says Fox.

Going to the holiday work party, she says, is a work obligation and unless you have a really good reason, plan to attend. Even if the party is dull and boring, you should stay an appropriate amount of time and then say goodnight.

Debra Goldblatt, president and director of publicity and promotions for rock-it promotions in Toronto, has been planning parties and events for years and says people should remember they're still representing the company name, even at a party.

"I think there's cause for termination in a lot of those cases. Certainly a heavy duty warning. I think it depends on the relationship between the employer and the staff member," says Goldblatt.

She says it's a good idea to eat before coming to the party so you're not gorging on hors d'oeuvres or getting tipsy without meaning to.

"I think having a couple drinks and being happy is one thing. I think having to be carried out or going up to somebody and saying something completely inappropriate is totally wrong."

Work-Appropriate Dressing

Wearing something inappropriate to a work party can also put you in the office party hall of shame.

Sarah Casselman, market editor for FASHION Magazine, says you should aim to look polished and put together and remember that what you'd wear out with your friends or to a cocktail party may not be appropriate for your office soiree.

She says it's hard to go wrong with the little black dress (LBD).

"The LBD is a party standard and it really sort of suits any invitation. It works for work, it works for cocktails, you can dress it up or down," says Casselman.

And while dressing appropriately is key, Casselman says it doesn't have to mean sticking to your basic blouse and suit.

"You can really play around with things a little bit and I think the rules can be bent at this time of year as well," says Casselman.

A good way to spruce up your everyday suit is by wearing something with sequins or a metallic sheen or try a shift dress that may be paired with a cardigan if you're uncomfortable showing your arms.

"You can go a little sexier but I think tasteful should always be in the back of your mind," says Casselman, adding it's all about having respect for your workplace.

"You still have to come to the office on Monday and you don't want to have any sort of embarrassing fashion faux pas, especially with your boss or your manager at the party."

Dos:

• dress up an everyday pant suit or skirt suit by exchanging your blouse for something with sequins or a metallic sheen, or something in silk or chiffon
• wear the LBD or a shift dress
• add colour -- it's ok to wear a bright dress in something like fuchsia, berry-tones or royal blue but keep accessories and your evening clutch black so as to not overdo it or keep your whole outfit black and add a coloured shoe or handbag
• freshen up something in your closet with new accessories

Don'ts:

• steer clear of anything that is very fitted or sheer unless it's being layered
• avoid skirts or dresses that are too short
• less is more when it comes to cleavage
• whatever you do, stay away from the "Christmas sweater"