| Issue #39, December 22, 2006 |
Dress Like A Man
by David Baron
You’re going to a holiday party. Everyone is. Something about the holidays just makes people want to get together with mugs of eggnog wearing hilarious sweaters. Whether it’s an opportunity to get to know co-workers a bit better or to catch up with friends, at any holiday party it is important to look good.
There seems to be a rule that at every holiday party, there will be at least one person dressed like a complete dope. Your goal is to avoid being this person. You know who they are. They have on the holiday sweater that features stitched scenes of Santa Claus and a sleigh of reindeer along with a Santa Claus hat with blinking lights that say “Ho! Ho! Ho!” across the front. In general, you’re going to want to stay away from any article of clothing that includes a battery (this includes your musical tie).
Start by assuming that all winter wardrobe rules are still in effect. Layering is always a good way to achieve an interesting winter look, but be careful: over-layering or mixing of non-complimentary colors can make you stand out for all the wrong reasons. A solid colored button down with a patterned v-neck sweater or vest is an easy way to bring depth to your holiday look. Adding a blazer can add an element of sophistication to this already smart ensemble. Be mindful of fabric weight when layering, though, as multiple levels of wool and cashmere will leave you totally overheated and beads of sweat on your forehead are never a good look.
And speaking of fabrics, here’s a few to pay attention to before planning your holiday outfit. Corduroy, wool and cashmere are all winter and holiday classics. Try to do more mixing than matching though, as each of these has a unique, easily identifiable texture. Think thin corduroy pants with a thick wool sweater and a cashmere scarf. Feel free to keep cottons in your wardrobe, too. Cotton looks crisp and light compared to heavy, textured holiday fabrics and can help to cut the weight while bringing another layer of depth.
Footwear is, of course, essential to a great winter look. Save your Topsiders and loafers for the spring – winter and holiday parties are for boots and heavier shoes. Cowboy and motorcycle boots are very stylish and balance the heavier textures of your winter clothes, plus they’re warm and usually waterproof. If opting for the more conventional shoes, stick to dark leathers and sturdy, durable shoes.
Now that you’ve achieved a solid base, tweak things here and there to turn it into an even better holiday look. The easiest way to do this is with color. The holidays come with their own color palette filled with bright reds, greens, blues and whites. Try to mix these with more muted winter colors. The key here is subtlety. The last thing you want to do is throw on a “Christmas sweater” that’s packed with red and green and never seems to fit correctly. It is possible to be festive without embarrassing yourself. Adding a red scarf over a grey cardigan or a sweater with a green pattern over a white button down are good ways to show some holiday spirit without hitting people over the head with it.
The biggest mistakes people make around the holidays are almost always accessory-based. There are endless opportunities to add more holiday spirit to an outfit with a hat, pin, necklace or props like candy canes. It is usually okay to add one of these things to an outfit. Personally, I like to tuck a candy cane or a sprig of holly into the breast pocket of my sport coat. Carrying around a mug of eggnog or mulled cider also gets the job done.
No matter who’s throwing the party, remember that it’s an opportunity to show some holiday spirit and look good while you’re at it. Please keep in mind, though, if it’s got a battery pack, it stays in the closet.
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