THE annual office holiday party: the perfect night to show your colleagues you're not just a boss — you're also a bombshell.
We've rounded up 10 budget-friendly dresses under $40 that might make the wardrobe watchdog in HR send a "tsk tsk" your way, but they shouldn't earn you a lecture about the dress code.
Business in the front, party in the back.
Even with the black mesh, this gold sequined Boohoo dress looks perfectly covered up head-on, but turn around and the backless number shines — and shows skin.
It may be the perfect excuse to give your office crush the cold shoulder.
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- Boohoo Boutique Sequin and Mesh Midi Party Dress, $42.25, Boohoo — buy now
If Mrs. Claus gets into the influencer game this year, this may be her dress.
With contrast sequins that turn red and silver — and a red faux feather trim — it's certainly festive.
It's also figure-hugging and short, but not so skin-baring that you need to worry about an HR write-up.
- Shein Bae Fuzzy Trim Sequin Cami Bodycon Dress, on sale for $22.25, Shein — buy now
Who says leather isn't perfect for a Christmas party?
Well, stuffy office busybodies might, but they wouldn't have much grounds for an official complaint with this dress.
And it has an understated hint of holiday fun with a fringe of green faux feathers at the top.
- Micas Feather Neckline Leather Mini Dress, on sale for $42, Micas — buy now
Is this flimsy velvet dress technically a nightie? Probably, though Victoria's Secret doesn't put it in a box.
Sure, some shoppers call it a "nightgown" and gush that it's "so comfortable and sexy to sleep in."
But another donned it on the job.
"I wore this to work and it was [light] and soft, comfortable," she wrote.
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- Victoria's Secret Velvet Slip Dress, on sale for $24.46, Victoria's Secret — buy now
Black, simple, and wrapped with a bow — so what if that bow draws attention right to your chest?
This bodycon mini touches right on the holiday mood but can be worn at other times of the year, too.
And if you spill your company-funded cocktail? The dark fabric probably won't show it.
- Forever 21 Rhinestone Bow Mini Dress, on sale for $17.99, Forever 21 — buy now
Hit the party like a walking Christmas tree skirt — a sexy walking Christmas tree skirt.
This sequined and faux-feather-trimmed dress comes in silver, gold, and black and has a 4.8 rating from Shein shoppers.
One gushed: "This outfit is STUNNING. I loved the sparkles and I felt so special in it!"
- Shein BAE Fuzzy Hem Sequin Halter Dress, $24.99, Shein — buy now
Picture it: You in this dress, a glass of red wine in your hand, and Santa Baby playing over the speakers.
Karen may give you the once over, but there's not much she could say about it — and she's probably just jealous, anyway.
- CLZOUD red velvet dress, on sale for $16.33, Walmart — buy now
The key here is it's a long dress — it's even past the knees.
But the extra fabric at the skirt seems to have been borrowed from up top, and the plunging cowl neck definitely puts the girls on display.
According to shoppers, it also "fits like a glove and shows all my curves."
"Very sexy, hugs my curves in all the right places and the plunging neckline accentuates my chest, which says a lot since I have mom boobs," wrote one reviewer.
- Fashion Nova You Wish Sequin Midi Dress, on sale for $29.99, Fashion Nova — buy now
You've got your pick with this party dress, which comes in 12 different sequin colors including red, green, gold, and silver.
"This dress is extremely flattering! Especially for those with hourglass figures," wrote one shopper.
"I am a 38F and it fit great with a strapless bra. Ordered an XL and it was perfect," said another.
- Grace Karin sequin dress, $45.99, Amazon — buy now
This Cider dress' plunging neckline and keyhole cutout might be pushing boundaries, but surely the long sleeves balance it out.
Reviewers have called it "perf for smaller-chested girls," "super sparkly," and "really comfortable."
- Cider Midnight Blues Sequin Mini Dress, on sale for $11.11, Cider — buy now