From holiday cocktails with the boss to a night out with your friends, you’re going to need some epic men’s Christmas outfit ideas this year. And this guide is going to take out all the guesswork for you when it comes to holiday party dress codes.
Christmas Party Outfits for Men
As you already know, there’s a sliding scale for Christmas party dress codes. First, take a look at your invitation. Most invites list a dress code like casual, business casual, and so on. This is your clue on how to dress. And we’re going to break down each dress code so you don’t feel under or overdressed.
Formal Christmas Party Attire
Depending on where your formal Christmas party is hosted, you can get as dressy as you want to satisfy the dress code. But a great rule of thumb is: ask around. If you’re headed to a formal office event, talk with your boss or HR about whether it’s time for two-piece, three-piece, or morning dress wear.
If you aren’t sure, reach for a black tuxedo, a tuxedo shirt, black dress shoes, and cufflinks. You’ll also need a bowtie for this one. You can get creative here with the color palette (think dark burgundy or dark green), but make sure it’s appropriate for the venue.
Semi-Formal Christmas Party Attire
Semi-formal Christmas parties are the best place to show off your style. So get ready to do a deep dive in your wardrobe for a dark, tailored suit. Go for deep blues or dark grays. And finish off your suit with a dark tie and perfectly-folded pocket square.
Feel free to toss on some cufflinks, too. They’ll pull your look together and put the “formal” in “semi-formal.”
Cocktail Christmas Party Attire
Cocktail Christmas party attire is a step down from semi-formal. You still want to look killer, but it’s not as involved. You can pull this off with a fun or brightly-colored tie and by lightening up your outfit’s color palette just a smidge. Skip the pocket square for this one.
Smart Casual Christmas Party Attire
Smart casual is a tricky one, especially when it is the holiday season. But we’ll make it easy for you by letting you in on a Christmas secret: it’s all about the layers … seriously.
Layer a button-down underneath a classic black sweatshirt. Leave the layers untucked so they lay over the top of your jeans. And cuff your pants so they layer on top of a nice pair of socks. We told you it was easy.
Business Casual Christmas Party Attire
The business casual dress code is a blessing and a curse. It gives you a lot of freedom, but it’s also a little vague — so you’ll have to hit the sweet spot. And the best way to do this is by wearing something you’d wear to the office.
Think button-down shirts, polos or high-quality tees, khakis or chinos, and a jacket. You can rock the sport coat, the blazer, or even a suit jacket.
Casual Christmas Party Attire
If you’re hitting a casual Christmas party this year, you can wear anything you want! But it’s a great opportunity to clean yourself up and sport something that shows off your personality.
Don’t be afraid to have fun with it — mix and match, try new garments, and wear those funky pieces you don’t get to normally. But if you’re not sure where to start, grab your favorite pair of jeans, a denim jacket, and a fitted t-shirt. You’ll be the James Dean of the party.
Dos & Don’ts for Men’s Holiday Party Outfits
Christmas is all about spending time with the people you care about the most. And it’s easier to have a great time if you’re feeling good about how you look. So we’ve put together a list of dos and don’ts to guide you through this year’s festivities.
- DO use color palettes to your advantage. Stick to darker colors for more formal events. And reach for lighter and brighter colors for casual holiday parties.
- DON’T forget the accessories. Whether you’re heading out to a formal party or hosting a casual party of your own, pull your outfit together with upgrades. Think sunglasses, ties, belts, pocket squares, and the like.
- DO keep a tailored suit handy. When in doubt, wear a well-fitting suit. You can always pop the jacket off if you show up and it’s surprisingly casual. And if it’s formal, you won’t feel out of place
- DON’T be afraid to mix and match when it comes to materials, colors, and patterns. Stylish guys come off as confident and self-assured. So fold in some of your personality, even if it’s a formal party.
Now that you’ve got all the expert holiday party tips, it’s time to start shopping. Check out our collection of high-quality tees, hoodies, accessories, and more. They’re ready to wear, and they’re easy to mix and match for any Christmas occasion.
