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The Quintessential Holiday Party Style Guide

While you were struggling to snap out of your Thanksgiving food coma, the calendar flipped to Black Friday, and you know what that means. It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! Your favorite radio station probably has Nat King Cole’s Christmas album on replay, those Pillsbury Christmas tree cookies are back on the shelves, Clark Griswold still hasn’t gotten his Christmas bonus, and that distinctive holiday feeling that pulls it all together is in the air. But, lets be honest. “Drink and be merry” is the kind of phrase we like to hear a whole lot more of at this time of year. While all of that traditional stuff is great and all, it’s the holiday parties that really makes this the best time of the year. But, before you start RSVPing, you need to restock your wardrobe with some of this holiday season’s hottest trends and threads.

Related: What to Wear: Holiday Party

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First and foremost, tacky Christmas sweaters like the ones hanging in your grandmother’s closet should stay there. This holiday season, The Manual is here to help you party in style with some of our favorite brands and looks. We’re focusing in on festive plaids, knits, essential party accessories, and letting loose with bold holiday colors and prints that are sure to make a statement. Whatever the occasion, you’ll be looking dapper while sipping on spiked eggnog with some of your closest friends. So finish up those Thanksgiving leftovers and read up, because you just might earn yourself a peck or two under the mistletoe while wearing these holiday gems.

From left to right in gallery: Eastwood Check by Ledbury, Tartan Bow Tie by Brooks Brothers, Great George Franklin Watch, The Capstone Wool Tuxedo Jacket by Bonobos, Pinch Campus Penny Loafers by Cole Haan, Panta Claus by Bonobos, Grayers Elliot Wool Quilted Jacket, The Bitter Southerner Drink More Whiskey Tee, Hook & Albert Navy Knit Tie, Nice Laundry Executive Socks, Tipsy Elves Reindeer Sweater, J.W. Hulme Leather Flask, Parabellum Card Case, Dockers Cable Knit Sweater

Jesse Jernigan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jesse Jernigan is a Durham, NC-based men's fashion writer for The Manual. He's your go-to for the latest and greatest in…
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The year 1969 made watchmaking history when the first automatic chronograph movement came out. Zenith's El Primero caliber, a fast, complete chronograph, became the first to finish among other makers. The round A386 watch, with its three-color counters, became the brand's main model that showed Zenith's chronograph past.
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The midnight blue dial creates a good blend—it mirrors the blue outer scale, the date window frame, and the date disc for color matching. The blue, grey, and silver counters lie slightly on top of each other. They have a spiral finish that stands out against the sunray-brushed blue dial.
Older style shows through the correct fonts and logos that match the first watch. It also has raised, cut, and lit hour markers. The trapezoid date window at 4:30, the double outer scale, the white stick hands with black parts and glowing material, and the bright red central chronograph seconds hand keep true to its past.
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Digital scans of the 1969 watch led case building, making sure of the real 38mm size with a sloped side, sharp cut lugs, pump pushers, and mixed brushed and shiny parts. The very thin edge keeps original sizes. Newer additions include curved sapphire glass on the front and back.
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