Style Scenario: The Dressed Up Holiday Party

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. To the long-time readers of this corner of the web… a tieless suit is pretty familiar. But  just because it’s been done before doesn’t make it the wrong play. If you’re headed to a dressed up affair, whether it be a work holiday party or New Year’s, one way to look more dashing (while dashing through the snow) and less like you just walked out of a job interview, is to lose the tie. Not comfortable w/out one? Wear one that’s solid w/ some texture.

 

The Suit: Suitsupply Napoli Mid Grey – $399. Mid grey for an evening event? Absolutely. Everybody else is going to be in charcoal, black, or some sort of wintery brown sportcoat/tweed number. So even though it’s a grey, it’ll stand out just enough color-wise. The newest addition to Suitsupply’s $399 lineup. Half canvas. Italian wool. Nice price.

The Shirt: John W. Nordstrom® Trim Fit TEXTURE Dress Shirt – $52.90 ($89.50). The texture is key here. It’s a little tough to see online, but there’s a bit of a tux-shirt feel going on. Good for the winter, and it’ll keep the white shirt next to a grey suit from looking too stark and blank.

The Pocket Square: The Tie Bar “Ballard Plaid” Black & Navy Flannel – $8. Hints of blackwatch without being that precise tartan. If you’ve got a blackwatch pocket square, then by all means. A bit of color and pattern for this outfit. If you’re concerned about the pocket square slipping down into your pocket all night, use a fashion anchor.

The Watch: Skagen “Holst” Multi Function – $108.75 ($145). Quite possibly the slickest, sharpest, cleanest looking dress watch for around a hundred bucks. (OR… if you prefer an automatic movement, use the code GRNMON14 on this black on black Orient Bambino, and the price drops to a silly low $102.53. Code expires 12/10.

The Shoes: Rochas Double Monk Strap – $148. Right. Not unexpected. But a pair of conservative black lace-ups here might make you look like you just “forgot” to wear a tie (sidenote: who has ever “forgotten” to wear a tie? That hypothetical concern is pretty much a fabrication by the anti-tieless lobby). Those double monks are from Yoox, but if you want free shipping/returns, try these from Nordstrom. Feeling gutsy? Try these suede tassel loafers from Dune.

The Belt: Stafford Reversible Leather Belt – $18.75 w/ OURFRND ($25). Nicely shaped buckle. Reversible. Fair price.

The Socks: Nordstrom Over The Calf Wool Blend Socks – $14.50 A perfect thickness in a breathable wool blend. Also, the over the calf helps keep your socks up all night, instead of risking annoying slouching down around your ankles.

The Collar Assist: Wurkin Stiffs – $20 & White Covered Power Magnets – $15. Go the the cheaper route on the stays if you’d like, but the covered buttons are a nice bit of extra camouflage. The do have cheaper white magnets, but that set doesn’t come with a set of blue for other shirts.

The Topcoat: Stafford Wool Blend Topcoat in Navy – $112.99 w/ OURFRND. One of the year’s best. Some might think it’s a couple inches too long, but that’s a minor quibble at this price. Decently warm. 63% wool. Made in the Dominican Republic. Has gone for $99 in the past. (NOTE: The code is “OURFRND”… no “IE” in there).

The Scarf: J. Crew Cashmere in Black & Natural Plaid – $82.50 w/ MERRYMERRY. Expensive, but now 25% off with the code. And it’s cashmere. More proof that black and tan (even if it’s a very light tan) go well together.

The Gloves: Polo Ralph Lauren Leather Gloves – $88. Lotta looks. Lined in wool, but not too bulky for the rest of the outfit. Will often go on sale direct through RL or sometimes at Macys. Ships & returns free via Nordstrom.

Coming up tomorrow: A style scenario for a smart-casual party. Not quite as dressed up. On Wednesday, a much more dressed down/laid back style scenario for a holiday get together…