Kristal,

If we're talking about a conservative profession, you can't miss with a black dress, black hose, and black heels. You can have a few sequins or other decoration on it, but it makes the dress much less useful for other occasions. Your call.

The mistakes you can make are:

1. Heels too high, giving you a "streetwalker" look. I think open-toed shoes in Boston in winter would be weird. Pumps are safest, but they can be suede.

2. Outfit too tight, giving you a "streetwalker" look.

3. Too low-cut, giving you a "streetwalker" look.

4. Lingerie errors. If you aren't sure, go to a fine department store for advice.

5. Poor jewelry choices. Less is definitely more. Consider nifty earrings with no necklace, depending on neckline.

6. Bad wristwatch. If you don't have a great watch, just don't wear one.

7. Bad purse. Again, just leave it in the trunk if you don't have the right one.

8. Bring extra hose; leave in trunk of car.

9. Drinking too much. I can't tell you how often I've seen that one. It's not pretty.

That said, have fun!

Cindy

Just one caveat to what some of the other posters have said. Leather and suede are a no-no for dressy evening attire, as are watches.

I haven't seen many responses from men, so I will weigh in.

I would suggest to not be too flashy or sexy (flashy and sexy have their proper place and an office holiday party is not it). Try to dress classy, which is more alluring than "ho" attire anyhow. Simple black is fine, but be comfortable. IMO, Talbots is for librarians and nuns on leave from the convent.

Finally, Boston is not nearly as stuffy as you seem to think. Is it South Beach? No, but it is a large enough place to have people of all stripes. Perhaps it is just the type of people your boyfriend has exposed you to that has formed this opinion?

Kristal, I feel sorry for you if you're reading these posts. Your head must be spinning by now.

I have a very nice crepe "little black dress" from Talbot's (also known as Frumpland according to some) that has always gotten compliments.

You can never go wrong with a classy look. It's always in style.

Well I guess we are frumpy here in Boston but Talbots originated here so what can I say. I was just trying to find something to illustrate a look (classy, understated , elegant) - kind of hard without pictures. Its funny because I debated between Talbots and Ann Taylor.