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Men's Guide To Holiday Dressing

By mid-November, your mailbox is overflowing with holiday party invitations.   So you RSVP, pick up your Secret Santa gift, and find a cute date.  But if you are anything like most men, you may be left wondering what to wear to that good ol' holiday bash.   Luckily, you've come to the right place. 

Wardrobe Essentials

Having these items handy, you will be able to make it through most of your affairs in style.  Mix and match for them for different looks.  The bonus is that you can utilize these timeless classics in the future. 

A Dark Blue Suit

Having this in your closet helps you in so many ways.  You can transition the jacket into a blazer for smart casual outfits and also use the navy trousers  for nicer looks.

Two Watches

Own a functional watch, such as a Fossil  or Citizen,  and an old-world ticking minute repeater.   This throwback to a classy era makes your look more sophisticated.

Dark Denim

Nix the stonewashed jeans  of the 80s and opt for a pair of new, unfaded Levis.   Wearing neatly pressed jeans also makes you look more presentable.

Loafers

For the young and the ageing, loafers  are a classic shoe.  Pair them with trousers in the office or with jeans for a dinner out.

White Dress Shirts

Own a few.  Having a white button-down shirt  at hand gives you the option of wearing it with a suit or dressing it down with your jeans.

Silk Long Johns

Wearing silk long johns  as an undergarment will keep your legs warm so that you won't need to don a long overcoat.   You can opt for a short and contemporary stye instead.

Cashmere Sweater

Having an expensive and warm cashmere sweater  in your wardrobe takes you from days in the office to a date night out.

Dark Blazer

With a navy blue  or black blazer,  you can always achieve a classic look.

The Company Party

The holidays are a time for coming out from behind your office door and letting yourself loose a little bit--but this does not mean donning that light-up tie and drinking too much eggnog.    

  • Experts say to dress as you would for a normal office day, only with a more sophisticated twist that is reflective of your personal taste.  
  • If a suit  is your normal office wear, then try a bolder colour of shirt  underneath or a brighter tie,  but not both!   
  • The office party is a showcase of everyone on the corporate ladder, and you won't want to risk an internal promotion because you dressed too flashy or too casual. 
  • The corporate party is never the place to try out a new look either, so save that new haircut for January.

Informal Holiday Party

Surely your friends, neighbours, and family will host a holiday party, and though this may not be a formal affair, you will still want to look your best.  Keep your look nice, neat, casual, and most importantly reflective of your own style.  Stick to the basics and you can't go wrong.

Formal Affair

If the invite says formal, black tie, or black tie optional, your choice of dress is pretty limited.  You will need to buy or rent a dinner jacket.        

Tips for Looking Your Best

  • Layer Up: At holiday parties, you never know how hot or cold the occasion will be. If your hosts have a fire blazing, you want to make sure you don't overhead, but remember, wintertime is chilly and you'll want to have enough clothing to keep cosy. Therefore, layers are your best bet: a cotton underlayer  topped with a wool jumper  and a jacket  or blazer  (jackets are de rigueur for most parties you will attend this season) should work well for most environments.
  • Invest in an Overcoat: If you're heading out for a night on the town, think of the complete picture. You wouldn't want to put a ski parka  over your party clothes now, would you? When picking out an overcoat,  the most important factor is that it fits your shoulders; everything else can be tailored to fit you. Pair with a smart-looking scarf  and some leather gloves  and you're good to go.
  • Avoid Seasonal Prints: Definitely forget about wearing that Christmas jumper  or tie,  or if it's a gift from your dear old mum, only wear it when you're home with your family. To avoid these awkward situations, gently suggest alternate gifts that you might enjoy. For brainstorming, check out our guide to Gifts for Men.
  • Make an Impression: Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd, whether it be with a daring velvet jacket  or, if you're more traditional, something that fits you to a T. If you can't look dapper for the holidays, when can you?

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