WEST CHESTER, Pa., Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether it's
selecting the right outfit or styling their hair or makeup, one out
of two women say that prepping and primping for the holiday office
party is more stressful than any other holiday event – including
New Year's Eve.
QVC surveyed over 1,500 American women about their confidence
and concerns around annual holiday parties in the workplace. The
study was released today by QVC, Inc., the global leader in video
and ecommerce retail.
Own Your Brand
"The holiday office party can be super stressful. It's a
celebration, but remember it's also an extension of the workplace,"
says Shawn Killinger, QVC Host. "You can and should own your
individuality and your unique personal brand – just keep it
professional!"
Women surveyed say that dressing for a cocktail party or a
sit-down dinner with their colleagues is harder than figuring out
what to wear for a party at the office or an after-work-hours
gathering at a nearby bar. But in all cases, looking great and
appearing professional are critical.
Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi has dressed the American working
woman for nearly 30 years, so he intimately understands that
looking good at the office means feeling good.
"The best thing you can wear to the office party is confidence,"
says Mizrahi. "Wear something you love, that you feel fabulous in.
Put on a color that makes you happy and then add a little sparkle –
the sweater, the shoes or a statement necklace. That is a recipe
for office party perfection."
- 66 percent of respondents agree that looking their best will
help them make a good impression with their boss and other key
executives they do not interact with on a daily basis.
- Once at the party, 73 percent think that small talk is easier
when they feel good about how they look.
- 77 percent think it's better to be overdressed than
underdressed. At the same time, almost 40 percent are concerned
about wearing something that's going to be physically
uncomfortable.
Taking a Chance on a New Look
Despite the anxiety that the office holiday party can trigger,
most women are still willing to take a style risk and try out a
completely new look. Eight out of 10 women say they will rock a new
look and try a new hairstyle just for the party.
"When attending a work holiday party, a surefire way to boost
your mood and your confidence is to wear something you absolutely
love and make sure your hair is on point with a fabulous blowout,"
says Elise Ivy, host of Beauty iQ. "Nothing calms the nerves more
effectively than knowing that you look your absolute best."
According to the QVC survey, the two top hairstyle choices this
holiday season are a sleek blowout (32 percent) and retro waves (33
percent).
"I love relaxed, glamorous waves for the holiday season," says
Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist
and inventor of The Beachwaver Co. "This classic hairstyle is so
timeless and anyone can achieve the perfect modern wave at home
with the right hair tool. The best feeling is walking into the
party feeling like a million bucks, all without being too
overdone."
Sixty-four percent of women say their look for the office
holiday party needs to easily go from day to night; and 53 percent
say changing their makeup is their go-to way to do so.
"It's always important to put your best face forward and the
holiday office party is the perfect opportunity to try a new beauty
look," says Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller New York. Women
like to try a smoky eye this time of year; in fact, 24 percent of
women say they will. "Opt for a darker shade in your everyday
eyeshadow palette for an easy day-to-night upgrade," explains
Geller.
Selfie-Ready
Social media exposure has also made an impact on women's
appearance. More than 75 percent of women agree that how they will
look in pictures is a big consideration.
Survey Methodology
The QVC online survey polled over 1,500 American women ages
24-50, from November 21-November 28. It was conducted using
Toluna's online panel and QuickSurveys. Figures for age, sex and
region income were weighted where necessary to bring them in line
with their actual proportions in the census population.
About QVC
QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive
Corporation (NASDAQ: QVCA, QVCB), is the world's leading video
and ecommerce retailer. QVC is committed to providing its
customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary
beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is
distributed to approximately 360 million homes worldwide through
operations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, United
Kingdom, Italy, France and a joint venture
in China. Based in West Chester,
Pa. and founded in 1986, QVC has evolved from a TV
shopping company to a leading ecommerce and mobile commerce
retailer. The company's website, QVC.com, is ranked among the
top general merchant Internet sites. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon
Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.
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SOURCE QVC, Inc.