The Holiday Dress Code: Men's Holiday Party Outfit Ideas to Look Your Best this Season

The holiday season is an exciting time when you get to gather with family, friends, and colleagues to make merry and indulge in festive cheer. But that also means going through another set of confusing dress codes besides the usual black-tie and cocktail affairs.

What’s the best holiday attire for men? It’s important to know the answer to this question because how you dress will determine whether you leave a positive lasting impression or not. In this blog, we’re breaking down the holiday dress code and sharing our top ideas for men’s holiday party outfits so you can dress your best for any event that comes your way.

Dress Just Right for the Occasion

The key to nailing dress codes—whether it be black-tie, black-tie optional, cocktail, or something else—is to always stay faithful to them. You should always respect the wishes of the host and dress perfectly for the occasion, not too casual and not too dressy. If the invitation says “black-tie”, dress accordingly. If “ugly sweaters” are the theme, relax and take advantage of this opportunity to have fun with your men’s holiday party outfit!

Holiday Attire From Formal to Casual Events

Holiday attire for men is similar for both office and private settings except that for residential parties you can typically keep things a bit more relaxed. You can simply opt for slightly less formal versions of your office holiday attire for private settings. See the breakdowns for each below.

Formal Attire for Holiday Parties

Formal attire for holiday parties is pretty much the same as formal attire for any other event. The only difference is that your men’s holiday party outfits will have some playful elements in them to match the spirit of the season.

Be conservative in your choice and go for a classic two-piece or three-piece suit in a dark color like navy or charcoal. You can choose even darker shades for a more elegant ensemble. Pair it with a crisp dress shirt featuring French cuffs. Avoid wearing a white shirt as it may come off too stiff for a festive occasion. Opt for a light color like a pastel blue or pink instead. For shoes, pick a pair of well-polished oxfords or monks in a deep brown or deep red to complement the suit. You can safely stick to black too.

To complete your men’s holiday party outfits, add a tie and a pocket square with some subtle patterns in dark green or burgundy for that seasonal touch. You can also include some subtle patterns on your socks but make sure they match your trousers. Experiment a little with your cufflinks by sporting elegantly-crafted snowflakes or reindeer. Feel free to add other accessories like a tie bar, collar clip, and rings in matching metal.

One rule to follow for your holiday attire for men is to avoid anything that’s too gaudy, brightly colored, or gimmicky as it will be too informal for the occasion. Incorporate everything in a manner that’s understated and elegant.

Semi-Formal Attire for Holiday Parties

For semi-formal men’s holiday party outfits, you can skip the suit. Opt for a pair of trousers and a stylish sport coat or blazer instead. Pronounced weaves like plaid, tweed, and houndstooth are great options for holiday and season-appropriate outfits. 

A little pattern and texture add depth and visual interest to your look, but make sure you don’t go overboard with it. Mixing patterns is acceptable as long as they are of different dimensions. For example, you can pair a smaller checked shirt with a windowpane or glen plaid sportcoat without seeming like you’re overdoing it.

For shirting in your semi-formal men’s holiday party outfits, opt for pastels to stay safe, or go bold with a dark shirt or a patterned shirt that complements the rest of your look. As for shoes, you can put on a pair of loafers or stick with oxfords and monks in dark colors. Ties and pocket squares are completely optional for this kind of holiday attire for men. But make sure you throw in a few accessories just to add that festive element to your ensemble.

Casual Attire for Holiday Parties

If the event calls for casual attire, then you have a lot more room for experimentation with your look in terms of textures, patterns, layering, and the individual elements of the outfit. We’re still not in “ugly sweater” territory, however, you can embrace more relaxed and stylish men’s holiday party outfits for this dress code. 

You can swap out that blazer for a crewneck sweater or a hoodie in rich warm colors. Or you can layer the crewneck sweater or hoodie under the blazer instead—either way works! For pants, feel free to ditch those formal trousers in favor of 5-pocket pants or dark denim. Incorporate textures and patterns throughout the look in a subtle manner. For example, you can opt for a cable-knit sweater or a plaid blazer.

Even if the ugly Christmas sweater is not in the invitation card for you, you can still have fun with your casual men’s holiday party outfits by incorporating a fun pair of socks. They don’t necessarily have to match your pants so go bold with a seasonally-themed pair featuring fun holiday icons, reindeer, or snowmen. Complete this kind of holiday attire for men with some casual sneakers or some nicely-polished leather boots.

Embrace the Festive Cheer in a Custom Fit Piece

When it comes to dressing for holiday parties, it’s essential to follow the dress code mentioned in the invitation and find a balance so you’re not too casual or too dressy. You have free reign for casual events, but men’s holiday party outfits for formal and semi-formal events must be elegant and fit you well if you want to appear stylish and put together. 

At Alton Lane, we offer a hassle-free way to order custom-fitted pieces that take only two weeks to be delivered. Moreover, you get access to numerous personalization options such as monogramming, choosing jacket lining color and pattern, changing the button colors, and more which make it easier to customize your men’s holiday party outfits. And with our 100% fit guarantee, shopping for custom clothing and shoes is completely risk-free. Learn more about how it works or start designing your custom pieces now!