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

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

What to Wear: Work Holiday Party

Ann Binlot
By
wear work holiday party what to office
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Holiday parties are in the air, including the one where you get to get wasted with all the people you work with. Now let’s get to what you’re supposed to wear. Take a good look at the invitation. Does it say whether the party is casual or cocktail attire? What’s the venue? Is it a laid-back bar, or a swank event space? If it’s dressed down, slacks, a collared shirt and a sweater are sufficient, but if it’s a dressier affair, we suggest that you pick something snazzy, like the Band of Outsiders No Junk No Funk houndstooth jacket and trousers. The leather leather shawl lapels make this ensemble extra cool, giving you that slight touch of holiday fancy you need. Add a shirt, tie, nice shoes and a pair of cufflinks and you’re all set. Just don’t hook up with any of your co-workers. Bad idea.

Clockwise, L-R: Band of Outsiders No Junk No Funk Houndstooth Jacket, $1,650 at barneys.com; Band of Outsiders No Bunk No Junk Houndstooth Trousers, $395 at barneys.com; John Varvatos USA Oxford Dress Shirt, $98 at bloomingdales.com;  Alice Made This Matthew Steel Cuffinks, $165 at mrporter.com; Mark McNairy New Amsterdam Whole Cut Derby Shoes, $332.50 at eastdane.com; Topman Slim Woven Tie, at shop.nordstrom.com.

Editors' Recommendations

Ann Binlot
Ann Binlot
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…
Water resistant vs waterproof watch: What these categorizations actually mean
The differences between waterproof and water resistant watches
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

In the world of men's watches, the terms "waterproof" and "water-resistant" often get intertwined, yet they signify distinct characteristics crucial for choosing the right timepiece. Let's delve into the nuances of a water-resistant vs waterproof watch and how they might impact your selection process.

Water resistant vs waterproof: What is the difference?
In the realm of horology, the differences between a water-resistant and waterproof watch often elude enthusiasts. While colloquially used interchangeably, these terms unveil distinct characteristics in watch durability.
What does water resistance mean?
Water-resistant watches: These timepieces boast a degree of resistance against water, indicating their capability to withstand moisture to a certain extent. Every watch, irrespective of brand or model, features varying levels of water resistance, typically ranging from 1 ATM (10 meters) to 30 ATM (300 meters) and sometimes even surpassing these thresholds.
What does waterproof mean?
Waterproof watches: On the other hand, a waterproof watch signifies a higher echelon of water resistance, epitomizing a timepiece's imperviousness to water penetration. It suggests that under no circumstance should water get into the watch case and infiltrate its internal mechanisms. However, it's important to acknowledge that even the most impeccable watches undergo gradual permeation over time due to natural aging processes and prolonged exposure to extreme environmental conditions.

Read more
Snapback hats are cool again: Why everyone is wearing this ’90s men’s fashion trend
These 90s staples are back in 2024
Man in Travis Mathew hat and Privé Revaux sunglasses

Snapback hats are some of the most versatile and fashionable accessories in a man's wardrobe. Unlike learning how to wear a fedora, the snapback is about as simple as it gets for a man. While they began as functional additions to a baseball uniform in the 1950s to keep the sun out of a player's eyes, they soon became a beacon in urban style.
The hi-hop boom of the 1990s and the adoption of some of the biggest names in rap and R&B gave men's snapback hats life in the fashion world. Now, in the wake of a renaissance for some of millennials' favorite fashion statements, the snapback is making its comeback all over again. Austin LaBoda, Director of Marketing at Hat Club, answered a few questions as to what sparked the return of the classic.
"The rise in snapbacks represents the next trend in headwear; the snapback today has evolved past the look of a traditional fitted aesthetic with a snap closure and is now providing hat enthusiasts with an alternative canvas to express their personality and unique fashion style. The upswing witnessed at Hat Club could be attributed to the rise in fitted hats, prompting a return to snapbacks as a distinctive style statement and a way for people to stand out."

Old is new again
Of course, fashion trends are cyclical. When a style dies out, it is almost inevitable that we will see it return. Those of you who were happy to see the bellbottoms go late in the 1970s were probably horrified to see them return briefly at the turn of the century. Right around the same time, we saw the low-rise jeans make stars out of pop music starlets until the mom jeans of the 1980s stormed back. Now, the rise continues to drop steadily. If you have been paying attention in the last few years, the denim jacket jumped right off of Bon Jovi's back in the days of the hair bands, only to land on a whole new generation of admirers.

Read more
A super-rare Rolex watch is up for sale — this is what you need to know
Rolex only made 13 of these watches
Rolex Space Dweller

One of the rarest Rolexes of the 1960s is currently on sale for $125,000. There are very few Rolex Space Dwellers in the world, with some sources claiming only 13 of the limited edition watches ever made. There is also a suggestion that the special edition watches were made to boost Rolex’s presence in Japan through association with the Mercury astronauts -- who were amongst the first to orbit the Earth.

As with most rumors concerning the iconic Swiss watchmaker, Rolex hasn’t commented on the supposed ties to one of America’s first space programs. Still, the unconfirmed tale adds a touch of prestige to the rare timepiece. In addition to its unique dial, the Space Dweller boasts a 36mm case, Mercedes hands, and a 1560 movement—just like the Explorers of the early 1960s. The dial and hands display the sort of patina you would expect on a 60-year-old watch, and the bracelet appears to show some very minor wear.

Read more