Scrooge or Santa, there's no getting out of it: party season is coming. The office do, the big night out, the black tie bash and New Year's Eve all land within a few weeks of each other, and every one of them needs something better than the suit you wear to work. Here's what to wear to each, plus the shirts, pants and finishing touches that pull it together.
The office Christmas party: smart, not stiff
The work do is the trickiest dress code of the year. You want to look like you made an effort without looking like you're interviewing for your boss's job. The answer is a suit with one thing that's different.
A black suit is always a safe bet for a Christmas party, as long as it doesn't look like the one you wear on a Monday. Choose a black suit with a bit of texture, a subtle pattern or a sharper cut, and keep the shirt plain.
Already own a plain navy or gray suit? Change its mood with a shirt instead. A flocked or floral patterned shirt turns a work suit into a party suit in one move. For more on getting the office party right, see our guide to what to wear to a work do.
The big night out: statement suits
Away from the office, the rule book goes out of the window. This is the night for color, texture and print, and for an open collar instead of a tie.
- Go green. A green suit is seasonal without being a novelty Christmas sweater: rich, festive and sharp.
- Go double-breasted. A double-breasted jacket has more structure and more presence. Keep it fastened.
- Go print. Floral jacquards, flock and bold checks were made for this night. Or wear a plain suit with a relaxed revere collar shirt, open at the neck.
You'll find all of these in our party suits.
Black tie, awards and New Year's Eve: the tuxedo
When the invitation says black tie, it means a tuxedo. That doesn't have to mean a penguin suit. A classic single-breasted black tuxedo with a peak lapel will see you through every black tie invite for years. A double-breasted tuxedo adds presence. And a tuxedo in tartan or a color is perfect for a Christmas black tie event where you'd rather not look like the waiting staff.
Finish with a bow tie, in velvet or lurex if you want it to catch the light. See all our tuxedos, and read our full guide to how to dress for a black tie event.
Go full festive: tartan
If there's one time of year to wear tartan, it's this one. A tartan suit, especially as a three-piece with a matching vest, looks right from the Christmas party to the Boxing Day pub. Not ready for head-to-toe? Wear a tartan jacket with black pants, or tartan pants with a black jacket. Keep the shirt plain and let the tartan do the work.
Not a full-suit person? Mix your separates
You don't need a matching suit to look sharp. A statement jacket with plain black pants is the easiest party outfit there is, and a pair of statement pants can carry a plain jacket.
- Pair a party jacket in tartan, check or floral with slim black pants.
- Or go the other way: Christmas party pants in tartan, check or print, worn with a black jacket or just a crisp shirt.
The finishing touches
- Shoes: black Chelsea boots or polished loafers work with almost everything here.
- Ties: optional for the night out, essential for black tie (make it a bow tie). For the office, a plain tie in a deep color like burgundy or bottle green looks festive without trying too hard.
- Pocket square: the easiest way to add color to a plain suit.
- Fit: party suits get photographed more than anything else you'll wear this year. When you buy a full suit, you choose your jacket and pant sizes separately, and our size guide has full measurements.
Christmas party outfit FAQs
What should a man wear to a Christmas party?
For the office party, a smart suit with one standout piece: a patterned shirt, a textured suit or a festive color like green or burgundy. For a night out, go bolder with a statement suit and an open collar. If the invite says black tie, wear a tuxedo and bow tie.
Can I wear a black suit to a Christmas party?
Yes. A black suit is always appropriate. Lift it with a patterned or flocked shirt, a velvet or lurex bow tie, or choose a black suit with a subtle pattern, so it doesn't look like you've come straight from work.
Do I need to wear a tie to a Christmas party?
Only if it's black tie, in which case it's a bow tie. Otherwise an open collar is perfectly smart, especially with a statement suit or shirt.
Ready to find yours? Shop all our party suits and tuxedos.