Now that we are into the holiday season, you will receive a whole stack of invitations to Christmas parties. Of course, you will, because you’re fantastic. But now you have to research the kind of holiday party it is. Is it an upscale party that requires black-tie attire? Is it something a little more casual? Or is it simply an ugly Christmas sweater party?
No matter what it is, you want to ensure you look fantastic. You never know; it may win you a few more Christmas gifts. Not that that is all we do it for, but it helps. Here, we have put together some ideas to stay festive without being over the top and the center of attention around your people.
Let your colors speak
One way you can set your holiday wardrobe apart from the rest of the year is through color combinations. While red and green are the classic color scheme for Christmas, the combination is often tacky and overdone. Instead, add more subtle winter colors or darker versions of the Christmas classics.
The three color palettes to focus on instead of the red and green classics are green and brown, red and black, and blue and white. The colors are best when muted, so substitute the bright green with emerald or forest green, pair it with light brown or mahogany-colored shoes and leathers, and let it remind you of a pine forest. Your blues should give the Jack Frost feel. Start with navy and pair it with light blue or white to create an evening snowfall color palette. And finally, swap out the red with a deep burgundy and pair it with black accessories and leather.
Examples of Christmas party outfits
Burgundy and black in a dressy environment
Burgundy and black are tailor-made for the more elevated dress code. The dark colors are perfect for any after-6 p.m. event and will make you the talk of any group. Burgundy sport coats, smoking jackets, and suits are a sharp addition to any wardrobe, and their versatility outside of Christmas is unrivaled.
The key to looking sharp over the holidays isn’t to spend money but to use what you already have to get festive. A black turtleneck is a staple of any man’s wardrobe and brings a winter look to the evening holiday ensemble.
Forest green and tan in smart casual
Green is one of the most underutilized colors in men’s wardrobes, and it lends itself perfectly to smart casual outfits. A forest green gingham jacket is perfect for the Christmas holiday and will also look great in the fall. You can also make the base color green as you build off it with the rest of the look.
When you add light brown to the look, it not only gives you forest vibes but also elevates the look and makes it more casual. It looks perfect for the office party, where you need to look great in case the boss is around (but it lets you be more casual and keep the fun).
Navy and light blue in casual
Speaking of using wardrobe staples to upgrade your holiday party ensembles, the navy cardigan is something you should have in your closet. If you don’t have one, then buying one for your casual party is more than recommended; it’s a must. There aren’t many garments that will make your outfit the talk of the party more than a cardigan.
To capture that Jack Frost look, pair the navy cardigan with a white or light blue shirt to put the snow next to the night sky. You can choose a dress shirt, but the best idea for your casual party is to wear a sports shirt or a collarless shirt underneath.
You don’t have to look like one of Santa’s elves to look festive for a Christmas party. The spirit of the season is getting together with the people in your life to celebrate the culmination of another year. That doesn’t mean you can’t look fantastic as well as festive.
Red and green to be festive
No matter how you slice it, red and green are the colors of Christmas. That means you may want to get in the spirit of the times and put both colors into your outfit. While it’s precisely the time to get festive as the most celebrated holiday in the country, those colors together can quickly become too much.
If you want to do this correctly, focus on only one bright color at a time. If you’re going to wear a fire engine red, use a darker shade of green, like a forest. If you want to wear the brighter emerald green, pair it with burgundy so the two colors don’t clash. If you go to an evening event, pairing the darker shades together will give you a subtle and elevated look for the holiday party.
If you really want to get festive, you and your partner can pick a color, and you can be festive together.
