The festive season is soon to be upon us, so make sure your wardrobe is ready and waiting for all those invitations to lunches, dinners, parties and balls.

I've noticed that most menswear articles on party dressing nearly always feature mainly black tie, but most of my clients are more interested in receiving help to put together outfits that are dressy without being too businessy, and fun without being gimmicky or too young.

I hope these will help to get a little bit of the Christmas spirit inside your wardrobe and hope you enjoy your festivities!

A subtley stylish outfit which is enhanced with a bit of red tartan to give it a Christmassy feel. The unstructured burgundy jacket  takes this look away from being too formal and worklike, and high shine burgundy shoes contrast to make it more dressy. Other small details that help to keep it modern and fresh are the rounded collar on the shirt, the green lining inside the belt and the red stripe socks which tone in with the jacket, tie and shoes. I see this outfit stylishly holding court at the office drinks party.

Jacket - Hentsch Man at Mr Porter

Shirt - Eton at Jules B

Tie - Drakes at Liberty

Trousers - Zegna at Matches

Belt - Paul Smith

Socks - Falke at Liberty

Shoes - Paul Smith

 

A navy velvet jacket is the perfect accompaniment to jeans - keep them dark and form fitting for a smarter look. Pine green keeps the Christmas vibe going (and is also very "on trend" this winter as well as suiting a lot of skin tones) and a blue and green pocket square and flower lapel pin dress the outfit up. Dark navy chunky brogues finish the look perfectly. I imagine this ensemble taking centre stage at a family dinner in the pub. 

Jacket - Paul Smith

Shirt - Reiss

Pocket square - P. Johnson Tailors at Opumo

Flower pin - Savoy Tailors Guild at Moss

Jeans - Unbranded at Farfetch

Brogues - Justin Deakin

A needlecord suit can look sumptous and velvety like this one, and makes a relaxed alternative to a traditional wool suit. Continue the pared down feel with a dressed down crew neck sweater, then add a little dramatic chic with a silk scarf tucked just under the collar of the jacket, a boutonniere, and high shine shoes. I envisage you taking this outfit out to a cocktail bar for Christmas drinks with friends.

Jacket - Acne at Mr Porter

Trousers - Acne at Mr Porter

Sweater - John Smedley

Boutonniere - Lanvin

Scarf - Reiss

Shoes - Sandro

 

Sometimes you need more of a low-key outfit for visiting friends and family. Team your jeans with a classic white shirt and shawl collared cardigan for an elegant, modish look. Bring the outfit to life with your accessories - sleek cufflinks, a red patterned tie with a slim cut for a little festive cheer, toned with striped socks and wine coloured monk straps. In this outfit you'll stay sartorially savvy in the sitting room whilst visiting friends over the holidays!

Cardigan - Sunspel at Matches

Shirt - Sandro

Tie - Marwood

Cufflinks - Alice Made This

Jeans - Uniqlo

Socks - Paul Smith

Monkstraps - Reiss

Okay so I guess every article on party wear for men has to include a tuxedo somewhere in there. So here it is, in midnight blue looking suitably sensational. Go classic with your shirt, shoes and learn to tie your own bow tie so you can leave it nonchalantly undone at the end of the night - feeling like James Bond and driving the ladies wild! Invest in this outfit and Prince Charming - you will go to the ball!

Tuxedo jacket - Sandro

Tuxedo trousers - Sandro

Shirt - Spencer Hart at Mr Porter

Shoes - Paul Smith

Bow tie - Drakes

Card holder - Il Bussetto at Opumo

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