Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

A Holiday Guide to Formal Wear for Men

John Jones
By
Barefoot man in a tuxedo sitting on a wooden stool.
Photo by Samad Ismayilov from Pexels

The 2021 holiday season offers us more reasons to celebrate than ever, so let’s finally get these “Roaring ‘20s” that we were promised off to a great start. From postponed wedding celebrations to festive holiday parties to gala fundraising events, ’tis truly the season to get decked out in our finest finery. We’ve been spending so much time in our comfortable, work-from-home or Netflix-and-chill gear that seeing an invitation with the words “Black Tie” may be enough to send even the most stylish among us into a tailspin. Never fear, we’ve got the basics for you right here to keep your formal holidays merry and bright. 

The key to formal affairs is to always check the invitation. The host or hostess who is remiss in indicating exactly what kind of formal dress they’re expecting for an event isn’t setting their party up for success. In most cases, the invitation for a truly formal affair will state plainly that the dress code is black tie. “White tie” is required so rarely these days that we won’t even get into it, but if you happen to travel in those circles, let’s just say you’d better be checking with Emily Post. Luckily for us guys, the modern black tie dress code is pretty straightforward. 

Recommended Videos

The Tuxedo

It all starts with a great tux. In all but the most demanding of circumstances, you could get away with wearing a black or very dark navy suit (completely appropriate if, for instance, the dress code is cocktail attire). If we are going to do it right, though, a tuxedo offers some hard-core sartorial elegance. It is basically a black suit that’s jacked up with a couple of specific touches. If you’re going to buy one, you’ll want to go with a relatively conservative cut so that you can get a few seasons of wear from it, but be sure that it also reflects current tailored clothing trends, particularly in terms of fit. 

Related

J. Crew Ludlow Double-Breasted Tuxedo Jacket

Man wearing a double a double breasted tuxedo.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

These days the jacket is body-conscious, with a slightly relaxed fit. The double-breasted jacket has made a huge return and complements just about any build if the proportions are right. Lapels have gone wider, too. Tuxedo lapels are traditionally covered in a grosgrain satin fabric, but modern formalwear likes a plainer, quieter look, covered in matte satin or even the same fabric as the jacket like a normal suit.

J. Crew Ludlow Classic-fit tuxedo pant

Man wearing formal tuxedo trousers.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Formal trousers are pretty sedate, although pleats have also made a big return this season. Our only request is to stick with the classic tuxedo stripe that runs down the outside of each leg. It’s a bit of a throwback to military regalia, but anything else is just a dress pant. Get one great pair and you can wear it with the matching jacket for the full tuxedo effect or pair it with a dinner jacket.

The Dinner Jacket

If you think you’ll be attending a lot of holiday parties or fund-raising galas, it might be a good idea to have a dinner jacket, too; maybe in a jewel-tone or a quiet plaid to give your formal wardrobe some range (especially if you’re showing up at events with the same group of friends or colleagues).

Paisley & Gray Slim Fit Peak Lapel Dinner Jacket, Emerald Velvet

Man wearing green dress jacket.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For fall and winter formal occasions, a deep green velvet dinner jacket looks great for formal affairs, but you can also throw it on with a pair of jeans to dress up a more casual party. Stick with lighter-weight wools for spring and summer, though.

The Formal Shirt

Like so much formalwear, it’s best to keep shirts simple. We do like an elegant pique fabric or a sophisticated mini pleat, but a plain front quality cotton cloth shirt is fine, too. Choose a collar that makes you comfortable. The wing-tip is the most formal and goes best with a bow tie, but they can be a bit flyaway, and it’s easy to end up with one side tucked under the tie and the other on top. (They’re both supposed to be on top, by the way).

David Donahue French Cuff Cotton Dress Shirt

A classic spread collar shirt on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A classic spread collar is a perfectly acceptable modern option for formal and can be worn with either a bowtie or an elegant necktie. French cuffs are also, to our mind, non-negotiable for formalwear: they make a refined statement and provide a great opportunity to show off a pair of dignified cufflinks. 

Formal Accoutrements

There was a time when a white pique vest or a cummerbund was required for formal occasions. If you’ve got ‘em (and you like ‘em) wear ‘em. A pared-down approach feels more contemporary to us, but there’s also something to be said for tradition. 

Tie Bar Cummerbund Black Belt

A cummerbund on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Formal Necktie

Again, bowties are considered the most formal, and the dressiest, of course, is simple black satin. If you want to avoid being mistaken for a waiter, though, you may want to delve into something with a little bit of personality. A minimal pattern or simple jacquard should keep you safely within the dictates of the dress code. Another request: Please buy one that you can tie yourself, and, if necessary, practice doing it ahead of time.

DAZI Floral Bow Tie

A simply patterned bow tie on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A regular necktie in an elegant fabric is also acceptable. Again, we encourage black to keep things formal, but we won’t blame you if you go for a darkly hued number. For winter holidays, black wool is a perfect choice. 

Banana Republic Oxford Silk Nanotex Tie

A regular black necktie on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cuff Links and Studs

We requested French cuffs on your shirts, so here’s the chance to show off a little. We’ll recommend saving the novelty cuff links to wear to the office: now is the time for something stately and reserved.

Cufflinks, Inc. Mother of Pearl Cufflinks & Shirt Stud Set

Cuff links on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Inherit a pair of simple diamond or pearl cuff links? Now’s the time to break them out. If you’re going full-formal-Monty, you may also want to invest in a cufflink and studs set. Be sure to buy the appropriate shirt with buttonholes down the front.

Proper Cloth Silk Knots

Silk knots on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

On a budget? Classic silk knots always look neat and aristocratic, especially if matched to your tie.

Formal Socks

What? Socks? Like that matters? Yeah, sadly this is the one thing that we’ve seen often ruin an otherwise home run of a formal outfit. Old socks that droop or an overly flashy pair of novelty socks do not cut it. Grab a pair of to-the-knee stockings in a thin black knit.

Bombas Dress Knee High Socks

Black formal sock on white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Formal Shoes 

One more potential deal-breaker: Wearing just any pair of black shoes will not work for formal. If you choose not to wear the black opera pump that is considered the most formal, at least wear a pair of perfectly polished lace-up Oxfords or a cap-toe shoe. A simple Chelsea or lace-up dress boot may also be an option. No loafers. No iconoclastic sneakers. No cowboy boots (unless you’re in Texas). Oddly enough, we find black Dr. Martens Smooth Leather Lace Up Boots to be perfectly acceptable if you’re really feeling the need to be impertinent.

Steve Madden Edmund Black Velvet Slip-Ons

Black velvet slip-on on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Our Final Formal Tips

  1. Don’t wait until the day of the event to try on all the elements. Try everything on in front of a full-length mirror a week or two beforehand to make sure everything is in great shape. 
  2. Make sure your tuxedo or suit fits well. If you’ve had it for a while, it may be time to head to the tailor to make sure that the fit is optimal — and that it’s a perfectly clean suit. 
  3. Polish those shoes.
  4. Consider a boutonniere, or at least a fabric flower to tuck into your lapel. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
John Jones
John Jones
Contributor
John Jones is a Jersey City, New Jersey-based writer who enjoys covering design in all its forms, from fashion to…
Were you recently promoted? How to upgrade your business professional attire
These wardrobe tips will help you build the sharpest, most promotion-worthy professional clothing collection
Blank for next editor

One of the core lessons we learn in our youth is never to judge a book by its cover; it's what's on the inside that counts. Well, we're here to tell you that that is terrible advice. It's human nature to make up your mind about someone the moment you meet them. When you enter a job interview, the interviewer subconsciously makes a lot of judgments about you on the spot. Think of it as a scale of 0–10, where 10 gets you hired and zero gets you pushed to the back of the unemployment line. The moment your interviewer lays eyes on you, you are either a 0 or a 10, and the rest of the interview will likely only reaffirm that number.

If you think it gets better once you have a job, guess again. It actually happens more often. As you move up in your company, you have the people above you and below you in rank going through the same process. This is why your professional wardrobe can make all the difference and even make you more money. Here's how. 

Read more
The Best Oxford Shirts for Men to Buy and Wear
Best Oxford Shirts

Every guy's wardrobe should have items that never fail him, no matter the situation, like one of the best Oxford shirts for men. The Oxford shirt is a step up from the humble t-shirt or henley, yet a step down from a dress shirt: It falls right in line to be worn with jeans on the weekend or to be paired with chinos at the office. You can layer one of the best men's Oxford shirts with a V-neck sweater in winter or underneath a trucker jacket come spring.

And best of all, it's a classic men's shirt that never goes out of style (trust us on this). So named for the Oxford cloth used in the original versions, the buttondown collar was a special advance that helped polo players prevent their collars from flapping in the wind. These days, it's still recognized as a "sport" shirt, or one that's more casual than a dress shirt or the type of shirt you might wear with a tuxedo. That's why Oxford shirts are so at home with rugged shawl cardigans or waxed jackets, and they'll even look classy and sharp with one of the best tailored overcoats for men.

Read more
The Best Men’s Suit Deals to Shop For January 2022
the best black suits for men your next wedding date or work event

Suiting up requires care, attention to detail and of course, finding the right option for the right occasion, and that's particularly true as we move through January into a new year. Some call for more adventurous patterns and seasonal fabrics, while others demand a more traditional suit, to say the very least. Yes indeed, you need a great suit. Where's a guy to start? With our picks for the best suits, of course. Before you can do that though, be sure your tailoring is in fine form. If it feels as if you're out of practice, that's where we come in with our picks for refreshed suiting. You're going to have to put on a suit eventually, no doubt. And not just any suit: One of the best suits for men is the only way to go. On that note: Has there ever been a better time to buy one of the best men's suits? In our view, no, because there are plenty of men's suit deals worth shopping. The great thing is, you can save your hard-earned cash and still get the quality you need, even as you add a cheap men's suit to your wardrobe. Getting dressed should feel good and leave you looking good, and when it's good for your wallet, that's all the better. These are the best men's suit deals on the market from the best men's fashion brands right now.
Today's Best Cheap Men's Suit Deals

How to Choose a Men's Suit
Finding the Right Suit: Let's start things off by keeping it simple. Your suit should ideally reflect your lifestyle. If you wear suits frequently, or if you want to slowly but surely up your tailoring game, it's hard to go wrong with a classic, multi-season suit. While there are suits made for colder weather, with heavier fabrics, materials like cotton or lightweight wool (also known as tropical wool), with stretch, are going to be your best bet for day-to-day versatility.

Read more