With Thanksgiving over, and the effects of tryptophan wearing off, it’s time to focus on the office holiday party. And quite frankly, storming the buffet table and dry grinding with the new hire shouldn’t be what you’re remembered for, the next day. Or if it is, you at least want the next thought to be, "But he looked pretty darn good though!" What you wear, will not only determine how you feel about yourself, but also how others receive you, and ultimately, how you’re remembered. Unfortunately, people have the tendency to overdo it, whether it’s the new lady from the marketing wearing the dress that looks like LeBron James’ headband, or the guy from technology wearing the Christmas sweater donned with solar powered lights depicting the constellation patterns on the night Jesus was born. Don’t be either. Be the guy that turns it up a notch from work dapper to holiday dapper, the right way!
Know The Code!
Not Morse code, not the Da Vinci code, not even “Bro code”... DRESS code! Most corporate firms have a business casual dress code, whereas tech firms may be a bit more relaxed. The goal is to go a step above your day-to-day attire. Though most of the tips below follow a corporate decorum, the same can be applied in scenarios where the dress code is more relaxed. Instead of slacks and hard bottom shoes, think slim jeans and dress boots. Save the sneakers for the summer party. The top can stay the same with the exception of any mention of formal or black tie wears.
Small Changes Seeing that most holiday parties take place offsite right after work, making small adjustments to the attire in which you came to work, isn’t only more convenient, but effective as well! Something as unassuming as wearing a suit and no tie during the day, and throwing on a sharp tie and a few other accessories before heading to the party, will never steer you wrong. For an instant wow factor, grab a bow tie. My personal favorite for these occasions... a burgundy velvet bow tie. The color complements the season, the velvet provides richness to the color, while altogether giving a nod to Old Saint Nick, minus the yards of velvet that he wears. If the necktie is your accessory of choice, stand out with elegance not obnoxiousness. Now is not the time to break out the Christmas family photo necktie, that little Timmy gifted you last Christmas. Don’t feel bad; you still have the construction paper and macaroni greeting card that he made for you on your desk. Instead a paisley patterned tie of the silk variety would be appropriate. Broaden your horizon to other festive, yet elegant patterns such as plaid, stripes and polka dots. After all, it’s the holidays. Some additional, well-placed accessories like a flower lapel pin or silk scarf will bring life to the entire ensemble. Be mindful not to clash patterns.
Bow Ties
Lapel Pins
Full Wardrobe Change If your company leans toward the more formal end of the spectrum, chances are that you’ll have a decent gap in time to accommodate for wardrobe changes. True formal/black tie requires a black tuxedo, white shirt and black bow tie and a vacant conference room to change in. However if black tie attire isn’t required, feel free to branch out into the land of navy blue, white/black lapel and tartan dinner jackets. Tartan?! You ask? Think Scottish kilt material. Hip Hop heads, think Carlton Banks from the TV show, “Fresh prince of Bell Air." Old school folks, think George Jefferson. Tartan is a variety of plaid textiles deriving from Scotland. Red/dark green/black and blue/dark green large plaid patterns are appropriate for the season due to their color scheme, but only if you have the confidence to wear it right. My personal favorite is velvet. I suggest heading to work in your slacks (solid black or navy), then changing into your dinner jacket ahead of the event. This way, you eliminate half the battle of a full wardrobe change. Some gents are completely fine with wearing their velvet the entire day. I on the other hand, prefer to create suspense and a wow factor around my choice of duds, but maybe that’s just me 🤷🏾♂️. I suggest the same for you. Think about it for a second... What if Clark Kent walked around halfway dressed as Superman. Shirt and tie up top, blue tights, red speedos and boots on the bottom half. I could think of a few jobs where he’d be dressed appropriately, but certainly not as a reporter at the Metropolitan Newspaper. Not to mention the wow factor would die, right along with any chance at keeping his job. Back to the velvet… Since it speaks for itself, there’s no pressure to wear a tie, just drop in a silk pocket square or ascot around the neck, and you’re good to go.
Blue/Green Tartan
Red/Green Tartan
Red Velvet
Own Your Look! Last year, I opted out of wearing velvet and wore a pinstripe suit, instead; so imagine my surprise when I saw another gent wearing a red velvet dinner jacket. Did it look good? Of course, it’s velvet! Thinking I may have some competition, I slightly considered throwing a velvet vest into my ensemble (yes, the day of the event). But I realized, I didn’t need velvet and I didn’t need to compete with anyone, because I had something better. I had a reputation for having the ability to make anything look amazing; that and a burgundy paisley tie, spread collar shirt, white silk pocket square and to top it off, my signature piece, a red and blue silk scarf draped around the lapels of my jacket. It was a hit! After all I planned for it!
Holiday Party 2017
The moral of the story is that you should always plan ahead, seek to compete with and outdo yourself and as long as you wear your gear with confidence, you can’t lose! With that in mind, don’t lose at this year’s office party. Dress to impress and try your best to avoid dancing on any tables this year.
Stay SUITABULL guys.