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We’re now fast approaching the festive season and with that comes tacky tunes, tackier decorations and the office Christmas party. What to wear to the party can be the cause of many a headache for men, but it needn’t be. To make sure you’re looking your best, we’ve put together a guide for failsafe party outfit ideas.
Casual Christmas Party Outfits
The office Christmas party is on the horizon, and there’s no dress code which, if anything, has made choosing an outfit all the more daunting. It’s not uncommon to be completely oblivious as to what you should be wearing. It’s a situation we’ve all been in at one point or another, so to prevent the inevitable frantic fashion meltdown, we’ve put together a quick guide for you with some party dressing essentials. What to wear to a Christmas party? We’ve got you covered for all the types there are.
A Suit and A T-shirt
When you wear a suit, you don’t have to go all in. A suit can be adapted to many styles, so we’re looking at how we can dress one down. You can still wear a suit without a shirt and ad tie and look smart. This look creates the perfect relaxed smart look which you can still feel comfortable and cool in.
When you partner a T-shirt and a suit, it’s essential to coordinate the colours. Don’t even think about wearing a coloured, patterned or, god forbid, a graphic T-shirt with a suit, unless a kids entertainer is the desired outcome. Instead, stick with a grey or black T-shirt with a black or grey suit.
If you only want to wear the suit trousers, a white T-shirt will work as well. Why not invest in a smart casual jacket to finish off the look instead of a blazer? A suede bomber would work perfectly here.
The Rugby Shirt
The rugby shirt is a trend that is coming back into the cycle. So many brands are re-creating this classic style and making it their own, and we are one of them. We love the rugby shirt and the history and heritage that comes with it, so we believe that it should be worn in as many ways possible, including with a suit.
Here, we are still wearing a suit, as that’s what most companies’ dress code is, but we have dressed it down with a rugby shirt. A rugby shirt can still go with formal attire because the shirt has a collar, making it appear smarter than it may be. Our red and navy rugby shirt works perfectly with a grey suit. Finish this look off by layering an overcoat on the top, and why not add a black scarf for extra warmth?
Styling Chinos
Chinos are one of those all-time great wardrobe essentials. They can be styled up or down, depending on the occasion. This makes them highly versatile, easy to wear and great to wear as men’s Xmas trousers. If you’re lucky enough to work in an office where the dress code is relaxed, or even if they’re taking your Christmas party to somewhere less formal, a pair of chinos is a great option.
We have styled our navy wide leg chinos with a pair of pink Converse to create that relaxed vibe. The pink adds a nice splash of colour to the outfit, which is always a nice touch in winter. We have layered this look up with a grey T-shirt, a khaki shirt unbuttoned on top, and a blue denim jacket with borg detailing to finish it off. If this is too casual for you, you could always switch up the look with some clean white trainers and a shirt buttoned up instead.
A Leather Jacket
If there’s any time of the year when you can let out your inner James Dean or Danny Zuko, it’s at Christmas. A leather jacket is a great item of clothing to own, as it’s timeless, and there will always, always be an occasion where you can wear one.
We have styled our leather jacket with an otherwise casual outfit. Some chinos and a black jumper make for a cosy, casual yet still well put together look – perfect for the Christmas party lunch. Our leather jacket has a borg collar, making it a warmer, more snug winter jacket. None the less, we have paired the thick jumper with it as a layer of warmth, as we all know how cold it can get. This look will work great with a pair of black Converse or some clean white trainers. When wearing trainers to a work event, no matter how formal or informal, it’s important you make sure they’re clean, or you’ll just end up looking scruffy.
The Classic Jeans and a T-shirt Style
You really can’t go wrong with the classic style of a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, but if you’re going to do it, you have to make it look a little smarter than as if you’re going down to the pub (unless, of course, that’s what you’re doing for your Christmas party).
We love the dad trend at the moment, so we have picked a pair of our dad style jeans that come in a light wash blue. We have paired these jeans with a striped long-sleeve T-shirt for a touch of detail and a bit of extra warmth. A long-sleeved T-shirt is always that bit smarter than a short sleeved one. A suede bomber jacket is the best jacket to wear to smarten up a smart casual outfit. The camel/beige tone complements the blue of the jeans and adds another layer of colour to the look. A pair of white trainers will suit this look, however, you could also wear a pair of loafers if you feel this is too casual.
Christmas Party Shoes
While obviously dependent on the outfit, the importance of nailing your footwear choice should always be a priority. Whether you’re keeping things formal with a pair of smart trousers or a little more laid back with some quality chinos, there is a pair of shoes that will suit your look. For a smart look, opt for some loafers or brogues. If you’re going smart causal, loafers will still work, and so will some Chelsea boots. Depending on how casual your smart casual Christmas work do is, a pair of clean white trainers will also suffice. Trainers work best with a casual outfit, but always make sure they’re clean.
What to Wear to a Work Christmas Party
- If you’re going smart, wear a suit but don’t be shy to dress it down with a T-shirt. Make sure the colours match, so stick with a black or grey T-shirt with a black or grey suit.
- Rugby shirts are a great piece to style with a multitude of looks, and because it has a collar, you can pair it with a smart outfit, too. Try wearing it with a suit to add colour to your Xmas party clothes.
- Chinos are great as they can be easily dressed up or down. Pair them with some trainers and a denim jacket for a relaxed vibe, or with a buttoned-up shirt to go more formal.
- We love a leather jacket and think every man should own one. Wear your leather jacket over a thick warm jumper and some jeans or chinos to finish.
- Jeans and a T-shirt is pretty casual, but you can style it up by wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and a suede bomber over the top.
On That Note
That’s your lot! With our selection of men’s Christmas party attire above, you’ll effortlessly (and stylishly) be a cut above the rest of your coworkers. Whether your Christmas party is a casual, smart casual or smart event, these looks should have your Xmas party outfit covered. While we can advise you on what you should be wearing, we can’t assist with the following day’s inevitable fear, so proceed with caution… especially if the boss is around!
Feature image from Pinterest