Men’s holiday looks are often relegated to one of two options: Either you go super-serious, dressing in a tailored black suit and adding accessories such as bow ties, men’s braces, and ascot caps; or you go super-crazy, throwing on a sweater over your button-up and pairing it with a pair of velvet pants.
The truth is, men’s holiday styles have gotten stuck in neutral because these two points of view represent the only options available. And while we love the uber-serious look—and think every man should own a great suit at some point in his life—we think there needs to be more variety when it comes to men’s holiday looks.
These looks tend to be quite predictable. But we want to challenge you to think beyond those safe choices this year and experiment with new ways to style your suit, sweater, or whatever else you end up choosing.
Here’s how to do it.
Get a Variety of Ties
A great way to instantly change up your look is to throw on a different tie. Go for something a bit unexpected, such as a tartan pattern or an unusual color. Be bold, be creative, and put your own twist on this holiday staple.
Yes, they might be typically worn during formal events, such as black-tie events, but they also work well during the holidays if you’re going for a formal festive look.
If you own a tie clip, you should definitely consider wearing it during the holidays. Tie clips are a great way to add a unique accessory to your outfit.
Consider Men’s Braces
If you’re going for a more casual, vintage-inspired look, you should try your hand at men braces. This was once a common choice among men, but it hasn’t been as popular in recent years. The trend has been coming back, though, so it’s a good time to experiment with this fun feature.
Braces are best worn with a cardigan or sweater. You want to avoid button-ups or other dressy items with this look since they’ll clash with the braces. Wear your braces with a pair of boots, sneakers, or loafers for a casual, vintage-inspired outfit that’s perfect for holiday parties.
Bowties Can Put Your Look Together
Don’t underestimate the power of the bow tie. This accessory is perfect for holiday parties that are a bit more casual. They might give off a bit of a vintage vibe, but they don’t look out of place at a modern holiday party. You can match the bow tie with your outfit as well, or you can use it to add a pop of color to a neutral outfit.
Blazers Can Go a Long Way
A blazer is a great item to own if you like to mix things up during the holidays. You can wear a blazer with almost any outfit. It can give an otherwise casual look a bit of extra flair. You can also wear it with a more formal outfit if you want to tone things down a bit.
Blazers come in a variety of styles and fabrics, so you can easily find one that works for you. You can combine this piece with jeans or slacks, so you can mix and match to create different outfits.
If you don’t already own a blazer, you should probably go ahead and buy one for the holidays. You’ll have lots of uses for it throughout the year, but it’ll especially come in handy during the holidays.
In Conclusion
Men’s holiday looks can be boring and predictable. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for the same old thing at every party you go to. You can mix things up with different accessories as highlighted above, new styles of dress, and new ways of putting your look together.
