Holiday Dressing Men’s Edition

The other day, I delved into the world of holiday fiesta wear for women, and felt that it was only fair to include all of you savvy gentlemen out there as well who aspire to be the “Cat’s Meow” at whatever event you are attending during this busy party season.  As a holiday party veteran myself I have grown accustomed  to walking into a party and seeing many men swishing around in their favorite red or green sweater, white turtleneck, and khaki or black pants and quite frankly I am over it.  There are many very flattering and sophisticated items that should be a part of any fashionable male’s wardrobe that will make him very noticeable and stylish.

We’ll begin with adding texture to the wardrobe.  Velvet is a fabulous fabric that can be made both masculine and feminine.  In this particular case I would recommend that any man invest in a lovely black or deeply hued plush velvet sport coat.  This item paired with denim is dynamite and with black trousers is a little bit more dressed up.  Don a French cuff tuxedo style shirt beneath and you will look simply smashing!  Where to find one of these beauties?  My favorite store Express has a wonderful one right now, as does H&M at a lesser price.  Just a hint for all you lovely gents out there…. The Express jacket is on sale as I type… $168 – Cha-Ching!

Perhaps you aren’t into velvet.  For another wonderful winter texture, give tweed/herringbone a try.  I love a nice supple and conservative brown-ish neutral tweed this time of year especially one with extra special details, like suede accents at the elbows or front pocket.  You can pair this doozie with some denim also (or some lovely toffee wool silk blend pants) and a cream based brown plaid shirt beneath.  Skip the tie for this look, and finish with a cognac wing-tip to really channel the prep look.

Maybe the thought of wearing a jacket outside of work functions isn’t your idea of a good time.  How ’bout donning your favorite denim or black tux style pants with a cutting edge pair of loafers, a stand out tie, and white dress shirt?  (Please note “stand-out” tie does not include anything with blinking lights, Santa, reindeer, candy canes, or whatever else… Just means something cool, like this one to the right).  I love this tie for both it’s simplicity and modern-day take on enlarged gingham, and I LOVE these shoes for their European simplistic charm and lack of a too-pointy and curled up toe.

I must put a disclaimer on this particular post.  All of you may have noticed that the particulars with which I feature today are particularly conservative and not so much cutting edge… While I LOVE the latest and greatest crazy fashion stuff for women, I feel that the “TRENDY” men’s clothes these days featureing wings, dragons, and script resembling a tattoo nightmare not stylish nor are they flattering on men.  In fact, I would have to go as far as to say that men look utterly silly donning shirts/jackets with mythological beasts embroidered upon them.  Furthermore, the skin-tight jeans/pants/whatever that are “IN” right now are best reserved for the “rock star” sect who are “blessed” with drug worn emaciated bodies.  So boys, when in doubt go classic.  As long as you possess  some nicely pressed button downs,  a lovely leather belt (think fine leather – Ferragamo is LOVELY!),  non-molester shoes (refer back to my blog on men’s shoes if you are confused), decent denim, and a flattering sport coat you are on your way to style super stardom.

Tagged as: expressformen, holidaydressing, holidaystyle, mensstyle