What are you going to wear this holiday season?
Wait, you don’t know?
The purpose of this article is to assist you in making an informed decision regarding what to wear to a variety of different types of holiday parties.
But before you start piecing together your outfit for that big event, there are a few things you probably need to know.
Therefore, let’s begin.
Where is The Party?
The location of the party is the first thing you need to know. Is it at a person’s house, a beautiful restaurant, or a lavish event space?
Knowing this makes it easier to determine how formal the appropriate attire should be. Because you should certainly dress it up a little bit more if it’s at a five-star restaurant or an incredibly premium event location.
One thing available to you is to look up the restaurant or event place online at Google, Yelp, or Instagram and browse through their photos there.
What kind of clothing are the people in the pictures wearing? What kind of mood is there? Just by looking at a few photos, you can pick up a lot of knowledge.
What Kind of Party?
The type of party that is actually being held is the next thing that you need to know about.
Is it a Christmas party, a Thanksgiving party, or a work party. An ugly sweater party or a cocktail party?
Please allow me to quickly state this.
Unless it’s an ugly sweater party, avoid being the hilarious guy who wears the ugly holiday sweater. Don’t be that guy who arrives up looking like he just got off the party bus.
Because it’s likely that your friends and coworkers don’t get the chance to see you dressed up very frequently, if at all, you should choose an outfit that exudes elegance, refinement, and a sense of polish.
This is your opportunity to make a good impression, so don’t waste it.
What is a Dress Code?
Ask the host or a member of their family if you are unsure of the dress code. Considering that you were invited, you should probably be able to know someone.
Because if everyone else is expected to wear a tie and you stroll in wearing jeans and a t-shirt, it would appear that you couldn’t be bothered to dress up a little bit and that you don’t appreciate the host or the time and effort they invested in hosting this party.
Even if that isn’t the message you aim to send, that is nonetheless what is being done.
I want to make sure that doesn’t happen to you, so please inquire ahead of time.
Plan Ahead
Speaking of planning ahead, I would advise you to choose your clothes beforehand.
Go get everything out and try everything on if you have an idea of what you might like to wear. Since it’s been a while since you’ve worn them, you need to check how well everything fits and what kind of condition everything is in.
Making something up last-minute, an hour before leaving, is not what you should do.
Because if you know ahead of time that the white shirt you planned to wear isn’t looking so white, this is your opportunity to go shopping in advance and treat yourself to something new.
Additionally, because you thought ahead, you may be specific if your friend asks what you’re wearing. You can now give advice to others about what to wear.
Dressing Well
At a party or event, dressing nicely is important on several levels. People will complement you when you are well-dressed and almost certainly talk about what you are wearing before asking you about it.
This puts you in a good position because if there are other single people at the party and you’re single, that little confidence boost can help you along and, ideally, lead to the beginning of some new talks with some new friends.
Work Party
Let’s talk about the work party scenario. You have the opportunity to portray yourself in a way that is different from how your coworkers often see you.
The chances are that your coworkers and your boss haven’t seen how well you can genuinely put yourself together if you work in a casual office setting or if you must wear a uniform.
Your boss might even perceive you differently and then realize that you might possess a skill that they hadn’t even considered.
I’m telling you that your boss’s perspective of you and communication with you may change, which could result in better outcomes for you.
I’m telling you, it can happen.
You should arrive dressed nicely in chinos or slacks if all the guys are wearing jeans. Your shirt is tucked in if the guys are all wearing untucked shirts. You’re wearing loafers or more elegant dress shoes when they’re wearing sneakers.
There’s nothing wrong with being well-dressed and put together, but you don’t have to go overboard.
If any of your coworkers criticize your appearance, they undoubtedly feel self-conscious about what they’re wearing and wish they looked as nice as you.
Christmas Cocktail Party
Assume it’s a Christmas cocktail party at a private residence. Let’s also assume that you checked ahead of time and learned that ties are not necessary, but that everyone will still be dressed nicely.
The first thing that springs to mind is a dark suit; either black or charcoal gray would work well. But how about a bold shirt?
Because wearing all-black, including a black suit, black shirt, and black shoes, just blends you in. This is your opportunity to put yourself out there a little bit and make a statement.
Maybe add one bold item, like a shirt with a big print.
However, a word of warning!
Avoid overdoing it with the bold items. Just one is sufficient.
You can absolutely wear a thin sweater over your dress shirt if the weather is chilly. Consider a shawl neck cardigan sweater if it’s a little more casual and you’re not wearing the full suit.
If the environment is a little more relaxed, you can wear the sweater unbuttoned or even buttoned.
Friendsgiving Party
Now imagine there is a friendsgiving party at someone’s home, and guests are expected to dress in casual to smart casual.
Instead of just wearing jeans or chinos like everyone else, you’re going to choose some great dress slacks, which will give you a clear advantage over the other guys. Maybe some brown Oxford shoes or perhaps some dress boots with wingtips.
Cufflinks, a bomber jacket, a pea coat, or a top coat would also be appropriate.
People still notice what you are wearing when you arrive and when you leave, even if you don’t wear your big top coat once you are at the party.
Men’s Party Outfits
Let’s just accept for a second that women always look fantastic and take party opportunities very seriously.
The majority of the time, though, the guys appear to be going bowling or doing something else.
Because this is a chance to show off a little bit and have some fun, I shouldn’t have to be the one to tell you this, but trust me: you’re not so cool that you can’t try a little more to look more presentable. This is an occasion where you can have some fun and show off a little bit.
Absolutely, your lady friend will appreciate it.
First Impression
At the party, keep in mind that you’ll be meeting a lot of people for the first time, and you have the opportunity to make a wonderful first impression since they don’t know you yet.
At this moment, all they are aware of is what they see and how you interact with them. In other words, if you’re the fashionable guy, chances are that people will want to talk to you.
A couple of years ago, I attended a Christmas party at a friend’s house. I was wearing a dress shirt with cufflinks, and I got more comments and compliments from total strangers that one evening than I ever expected. You would have thought no one had ever seen cufflinks before.
Although it’s a tiny detail, it received better feedback than I could have ever dreamed because it was a little extra and nobody else was doing it.
Haircut
The following tip doesn’t exactly relate to your wardrobe, but it’s just as important: plan your haircuts in advance.
Because everyone is hosting these parties and get-togethers over the holidays, hair salons and barbershops become incredibly busy.
Therefore, be careful to book your appointments in advance.
Gift
Bring a present for the host, who will appreciate it more than you know.
I typically bring a great bottle of wine rather than something they might easily acquire at the grocery store.
I’ll look for something a bit more unique and spend a bit more money on it. Because if they are unaware of the wine I gave them, they might search for it online and see some cheap prices. In a circumstance like that, the last thing I want is to have a reputation for being stingy.
That’s how I feel, and that’s just me.
It takes a lot of work to host a party, especially in your house. I want the host to know how much I value being invited.
With that, I wish you all the best at your party, dear friends.
