The Do's and Dont's of Holiday Dressing:

It’s that time of the year again- one which many dread and some love- the Holidays. I’ll discuss the four Holidays that are rapidly approaching chronologically, but in my opinion this is also the order in which the difficulty in dressing properly increases.

1.       Halloween dressing- easy:

a.      Select a bold pin stripe suit at SuitYourself.com like this http://suityourself.com/2_Button_Peak_Lapel_Side_Vents_Suit.asp

b.      Put black shoe polish in your hair

c.       Buy an imitation mustache and a cigar

d.      Go as Gomez Adams

You’ll be able to use your costume year-round and you won’t have to but a new one every year.

2.       Looking good for Thanksgiving is a bit more difficult, but still does not require much knowledge of the sartorial arts:

a.       Most Thanksgiving gatherings are informal. A good quality sweater, casual shirt, and pair of wool or cotton khaki trousers should be acceptable:

                                                                           i.      Flat front trousers work well-with men in shape.

                                                                         ii.      Pleats hide an ample waist- better after Thanksgiving turkey.

b.      For those that aren’t informal an ideal ensemble would include:

                                                                           i.       Camel hair blazer and heavy cotton weave earth toned trousers.

                                                                         ii.      Plaid or Hound’s-tooth fall colored sport coat with pants as above

                                                                        iii.      Leather blazers with the same trousers are a stylish alternative:

http://suityourself.com/Leather_Sport_For_Gentlemen_By_Remy.asp

http://suityourself.com/Blazer_Leather_2_Buttons_Remy.asp

http://suityourself.com/leather_blazer.asp

c.       Purchase good quality, versatile items that can be used for other occasions for years to come. Contact me for specifics.

d.      Appropriate colors for Thanksgiving are those of the Harvest, which Thanksgiving commemorates

                                                                           i.      Plum (the hot color for this Fall)

                                                                         ii.      Rust

                                                                        iii.      Gold

                                                                       iv.      Bottle or Olive Green

                                                                         v.      Chocolate

3.       Hanukkah- I’m not Jewish so if I mess this up feel free to correct me.

a.       Hanukkah celebrates a house warming of a new temple by the Maccabees.

b.      Therefore think of colors that would be appropriate at a housewarming- most often blue and yellow.

c.       Most gatherings are informal, but if they require a blazer, navy with khaki or charcoal trousers is a good choice.

d.      Add yellow accents-perhaps in a shirt or pocket square.

4.       Christmas:-

a.       The Christmas season usually involves both formal and informal events

b.      Christmas colors are red, burgundy, gold, and forest green.

c.       I recommend Christmas Kitsch. Everyone should own a Christmas tie or sweater. I love the Grinch; that’s what I wear.

d.      If you don’t like Kitsch, buy a red or green cardigan or sweater vest. A tailored vest is a good option as well, particularly in an appropriately colored holiday plaid.

e.       You will also be invited to an office Christmas party. Find out in advance what the dressing requirements are and abide by them.

                                                                           i.      Christmas Kitsch usually DOES NOT work

                                                                         ii.      If the party’s informal- go with the cardigan or vest

                                                                        iii.      If you’re expected to wear a suit or sport coat, include a SUBTLE tie or pocket square with a Christmas theme.

5.       New Year’s- the hardest holiday to dress for:

a.       Colors are silver, gold and bright blue paired with a white shirt and charcoal gray, midnight blue, or black tailored clothing.

b.      If the gathering is informal choose a pair of elegant black or charcoal trousers, with a predominantly black or gray sport coat. Add a white shirt with appropriate collar for the occasion and an appropriately colored tie or pocket square.

c.       If the gathering is semi-formal,(black tie optional) choose:

                                                                           i.      Black, charcoal, or midnight blue suit- with New Year-colored tie or pocket square

                                                                         ii.      An open-collared tuxedo or tuxedo with a neck tie

                                                                        iii.      A white shirt WITHOUT visible collar buttons

d.      Formal Occasion- if your invitation says black tie or black-tie-only it is proper to wear a tuxedo.

                                                                           i.      Buy one, don’t rent. Do you really want to wear something others have worn a hundred times and smells like formaldehyde?

                                                                         ii.      Here’s 3 reasons why to buy a tuxedo:

1.       You are successful and will become more successful.

2.       In any successful man’s closet hangs a tuxedo.

3.       When you own a tuxedo you will wear it more often

                                                                        iii.      Buy a formal white shirt, preferably one that fastens with a stud set Studs are elegant and timeless

                                                                       iv.      French cuffs with cuff links that match your studs finish your ensemble perfectly

                                                                         v.      Wear a BLACK bow tie. That’s why it’s called black tie. Learn how to tie it yourself.

                                                                       vi.      Black patent leather shoes are optional. If you just can’t bring yourself to wear them like me, wear PLAIN black loafers instead.

I hope this discussion of Holiday dressing has been enlightening and insightful.

One last message- stay safe. Don’t drink and drive.