Style Scenario: The Laid Back / Casual 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. First we went dressed up. Then it was somewhere in between. Now it’s time for a dressed down, but still stylish look for those get-togethers that are more beer, cookies, & board-games, and less cocktails, appetizers, and schmoozing.

 

The Sweater: Banana Republic Extra Fine Merino V in “Brindle Brown” – $35 ($69.50). Really nice quality wool now at a super-low price. Half off as part of their “Holiday Breaks” promotion. Not as trim as a J. Crew Slim or UNIQLO sweater, but comfortable without being enormous.

The Shirt: J. Crew Factory SLIM Chambray Shirt in Medium Blue – $32.00. A lighter weight, classic work-shirt feel, only cut slimmer at the sides. A decent way to give your OCBDs a break.

The Bow Tie: The Tie Bar Solid Wool Dark Gray – $15.00. Yes really. Going for a dressed down, contemporary, Professor Indiana Jones look here. It’s the holidays. People dress weird. Don’t want to? Sure. Outfit still works.

The Jeans: J. Crew Factory Bleecker Garment-Dyed Straight Fit Jean – $34.50. These are saturated five pockets, but your favorite pair of dark-wash denim absolutely works here too.

The Belt: Ralph Lauren Suede Equestrain Belt – $37.49 ($85). Any black casual belt will do here (like the Gap Classic leather belt). Doesn’t have to be suede.

The Boots: Made in the USA Woolrich Yankee Boot – $136.92 w/ GRNMON14. That’s an absurd price for a Made in the USA, Goodyear Welted, Horween Leather upper, Vibram sole boot. They even claim that 100% of the construction happens, and all of the materials are sourced, from here in the states. Lined (lightly?) with wool. Also available in a stunning light brown “Buckskin” shade. Big fan of the quadruple apron stitch at the toe. Sizes are a bit scattered, and must be sold by Amazon for the code to work. Stand by for an in person on these.

The Watch: Wenger Dual Time – $139.95. A well balanced dial that lets you know what time it is in another time zone at a quick glance. Date window positioned at 6 o’clock. Swiss Quartz. Pretty dependable brand.

The Coat: J. Crew Broadmoor Quilted Jacket – $138.60 w/ GIVETHIS. A dependable, well made offering from J. Crew. The mostly cotton outer shell has just enough nylon in it to make it weather resistant, yet doesn’t have the shine of all poly quilted jackets. Insulated too.

The Cap: H&M 100% Cashmere Cap – $19.95 ($29.95). H&M’s super cheap cashmere cap gets even cheaper. Temper those expectations though… it’s twenty bucks.

The Host/Hostess Gift: Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA. If the host is a bit of a beer drinker who’s maybe missing some of his warmer weather IPA favorites, bring a sixer of this. A good amount of crisp hoppiness, while still leaning on the malty backbone of winter ales.