Men's Style Tip: Dressing for the Christmas Party
It’s party season and the annual work Christmas party is on the cards. It’s easy to avoid making an effort and just head over in your work attire, but, as our co-founder, Dave Pickard argues, why not use the opportunity to make an effort and an impression?
So it’s your Christmas party coming up and, unlike any other day in the office, it is a night where you can go that extra mile and dress up for the occasion. Often these events are officially black tie, or at the least require a sharp suit. The invitations might just say ‘business attire’, but I’ve always felt that this should be ignored. I suspect it’s designed to make it easier for anyone who is working crazy hours, to still be in with a chance of making it straight from the office but you can do better than that …
Embrace it
Embrace the black-tie theme if stated, or head over in a sharp three-piece suit if it doesn’t specify. And if it’s fancy dress … well, don’t hold back.
Your Christmas party is an opportunity to wear something that you don’t wear every day at work, but I think men can be guilty of being too relaxed or too reticent to make an effort. It is tempting just to take the easy option and wear a suit jacket with our suit trousers that day. But then when you turn up, there’s always the other guys who donned the three-piece, tux, or even kilt.
At a minimum, you should be arriving feeling pretty confident about your look. Take a leaf out of David Gandy’s stylebook: well-dressed is never over-dressed. He’s Britain’s best-dressed man and always looks timeless and classy.
But what about your socks?
At London Sock Company, we’re firm believers that pulling on great socks fills you with confidence. Your sock choice is a reflection of your personality and elevates your style. Our friend David Gandy, for example, typically keeps it classic with black tie, often seen sporting our classic black Spot of Style. For myself, unless I’m wearing my kilt, I love nothing more than adding a bit of bold colour with my dinner jacket. My go-to is always a pair of Saffron Simply Sartorials. They beautifully bright but alway sophisticated. Also, a guaranteed conversation starter, which can be useful when mingling and small talk is required.
If you’re feeling in the party spirit, go for a nice confident turquoise, or even a bold Christmas red sock. If you’re feeling classic, then a black or grey with some pattern is ideal, such as Ottaway Style in Grey.
And if you’re somewhere in between, you can’t go wrong with a rich red, like our Simply Sartorial in Rich Burgundy. Or a dark purple with Highland Heather. With over 32 shades and counting, our Simply Sartorial range has something for everyone.
Casual but cool
If the above is a bit too dressy for you and your Christmas party is going to be more Nandos than Nobu, that’s OK. The right socks can transform a casual outfit too and take your jeans from day-to-day to dapper. Channel the blues with a a twist on double denim – aka the Canadian Tuxedo. Pair your jeans with blue socks. Our Dash of Class box in Denim offers a selection of styles that look really polished with jeans. Add smart leather trainers in white or some brown Chelsea boots.
For something more punch, trying a pair from Ilaria Urbinati’s Spotlight Collection. Playful patterns, bold pops of colour, vintage motifs. Hollywood stylist Ilaria’s designs are guaranteed to take a casual look up a notch. A-list style is assured.
Ultimately, your Christmas party is your opportunity to show off some of your personality at work. So, dressed up or dressed down, I would recommend picking a colour or pattern that makes you feel great. Then, no matter what, you won’t just be walking brighter, you’ll hopefully be dancing brighter too.
