photo courtesy http://partyresources.blogspot.com
With the holidays upon us, holiday parties are an everyday event. When you get an invitation to a wedding or social event, how do you know what attire you’re expected to wear? For this post, I asked wardrobe consultant Jason Smith to shed some light on dress codes. With these tips from Jason and etiquette queen Emily Post, and D. Jones Tailored Collection clothing, you’ll be perfectly attired for any occasion this season.
Matthew McConaughey on the red carpet
Black Tie
Emily Post defines Black Tie attire as “Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers formal (piqué or pleated front); white shirt, black-colored (e.g., onyx) studs and cufflinks; black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill); black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest; dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional); black patent shoes and black dress socks; no gloves. In the summer or on cruises, wear a white dinner jacket, black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe.”
To add your own tasteful twist, Jason suggests making the main component a black jacket with contrasting lapels. You can achieve the contrast in texture or pattern. Try a thinner lapel as well; peaked or notched, both will look fantastic but do go for thinner lapels.
Daniel Craig at the 2009 Oscars
Black Tie Optional
This dress code allows wiggle room if you don’t own a tuxedo. Emily Post says Black Tie Optional means wearing either a tuxedo (see ‘Black Tie’ above) or dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie; dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks.
Jason suggests having fun with black tie optional. Even if you do own a formal tuxedo try this…a formal tuxedo look without the formal tuxedo colors. He’d choose a “true” blue tuxedo with jet black lapels, skinny bow-tie with white pocket square. (See Daniel Craig at 2009 Oscars)
Ryan Gosling in GQ
Semiformal
If the event is semiformal, you can forgo your tuxedo and wear your tailored suit. Emily Post specifies semiformal as a dark business suit; matching vest (optional); dress shirt; conservative tie; dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks.
To stand out in a sea of off-the-rack semiformal suits, Jason recommends a mid to dark grey suit. You can get away with the grey in a room full of deep dark colors because of the “Semi” in the Semiformal. Add the vest to dial it up a notch. Try this a mid grey suit with navy vest, white shirt and purple wool tie. Sherlock Holmes would be proud.
Robert Downey Jr. at the Golden Globes
Festive (or Holiday) Attire
The most common attire for holiday parties, Emily Pos clarified festive attire as follows: a seasonal sport coat or blazer in color of choice, and slacks; open-collar shirt; dress shirt and optional “festive” or holiday-themed tie.
To set the trends this holiday season, try pairing a bold colors—NOT bold Christmas Tree Sweaters! Plum colored pants with a navy sports coat with a purple windowpane pattern is a fantastic choice. If you’re not ready yet for something that bold try this…keep the sports coat and slacks simple yet elegant but choose to add a tie with vibrant colors. Charcoal slacks, navy sports coat, white shirt with red checks and a bold red silk tie.
George Clooney Ides of March
Business Formal
Similar to semiformal, the key to business formal is the word conservative. Otherwise, wear a dark business suit; matching vest (optional); dress shirt; conservative tie; dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks.
You’ll stand out by wearing an expertly tailored suit by D. Jones, but to lend your own sense of style to your attire, consider a sophisticated Navy Glen Plaid Check Suit. Lavender Herringbone dress shirt with bold purple dotted silk tie. Forgo the conservative socks and choose a pair that are confident but makes sense with the outfit. In this case I would choose a solid purple sock or a blue with lavender stripes.
Business casual look from www.GQ.com
Business Casual
Slightly more common than business formal for holiday parties in a business setting, you still want to wear perfectly fitted attire by D.Jones for maximum impact. Emily Post defines business casual as seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis; dress shirt with optional tie, or casual button-down shirt; open-collar or polo shirt; loafers or loafer-style shoes and socks.
Jason recommends a perfectly fitted sports coat. Most business casual events allow you to get away with a very relaxed look. You can embrace that while also adding an upscale look at the same time. Try wearing a well-fitted dark washed jean with a deep maroon herringbone sports coat. Pair that with a blue gingham dress shirt and blue dotted pocket square. You’ll fit in with your colleague as one of the guys but they’ll see you as the one that always dresses well.
When in doubt, dress up a bit. You can’t go wrong with slacks and a sport coat, but showing up in a t-shirt and jeans may send the wrong message. Regardless of your style and confront level to explore new and bold ways to present yourself, D. Jones Tailored Collection can help with your needs. They know the latest trends, they get their fabric from the most prestigous mills in the world, but most of all they listen to their clients to put them in what will work best for them. No one will do more for you than a D. Jones Wardrobe Consultant.
