Let’s be honest, we all know that NYE isn’t the be-all, end-all event of the year. But, no woman in the history of womanhood wants to ring in the new year without that special kiss from her leading man.
Whether you’ve know her for six years or six minutes, you’re appearance is going to greatly affect if she starts inching her way closer to you during the final countdown.
Here’s what to wear based on the type of NYE party you’re attending:
Formal Party
Celebrating in Vegas or at a restaurant’s NYE party? If you’re going anywhere other than your family or friend’s house party, you’ll want to break out your suit and tie.
Even though I say office party in the video, I’d still recommend this outfit for a formal NYE party.
Heading to your friend’s house party? You’ll still want to show up like the well-dressed gentleman you are…especially if you’re single. Remember: Every woman will be on the hunt for their NYE kissing partner that night.
If you’re heading to your family’s house for a calm NYE celebration, this doesn’t mean you should just show up in a t-shirt and jeans. Begin the new year on the right foot, which means looking your best.
You’ll feel just as comfortable, but sending the message that you have your shit together.
In Part 1, How To Dress For The Office Party, we went over what to wear and how to act at this year’s formal or informal work party. In Part 2, we covered How To Dress For A Friend’s Party. In this, the final post of the series, we’re going to go over how to dress and proper etiquette for a family holiday party.
If you’re going to your in-laws or (maybe) future in-law’s holiday party, your girl will use this as an opportunity to show you off to the people who’s opinion probably means the most in her life. If you show up looking like a slob and her family is similar to most, there’s going to be gossip. Yes, it’s not the end of the world to you, but to your girl, it might as well be. Trust me on this. How you’re presented to the family matters a lot to the woman in your life. So it’s your job to be her arm candy this time.
If you’re single, you’ll likely be with your family. So yes, you’re not there to show off to your potential future in-laws, but you should at least want to show your family that you’ve got (some of) your shit together.
Pair a black v-neck sweater over a crisp, white dress shirt. Tuck the shirt into a pair of charcoal wool pants. I don’t recommend jeans because they’re too informal when you’re trying to make an impression – regardless of the audience.
You should never show up to a family function empty-handed. Grab a bottle of $10ish Merlot (red wine) and present it to the host(s) when greeting them.
As soon as you enter the party, greet each person. If you haven’t met them before, introduce yourself, and tell them who you are in relation to the family. Example: “Hi, I’m Daniel – Sara’s boyfriend.”
After greetings have been exchanged with everyone, ask the host(s) if there’s anything you can lend a hand with.
Once the meal has concluded, don’t ask, just walk over to the kitchen and start putting things away or cleaning up or doing the dishes. And yes, they’re going to tell you it’s OK and not to worry about it. But you just keep doing it anyways. The in-laws or future in-laws will especially love you for this, and you’ll win major brownie points for years to come. If you’re at your family’s place, your Mom or Grandma will appreciate this just as much.
When it’s time to leave, if you came with your girl, put her coat on first, in plain view of everyone else. She might not know it yet, but she’ll love the family watching you attend to her.
Say goodbye to the oldest people first and then down the lineage line until you say goodbye to the hosts last. You’ll thank the hosts again for having you over and then leave the party immediately.
A friend’s party is usually a more relaxed, but that still doesn’t mean it’s time to pull out the sweatpants and hoodies.
If you’re single, the holidays are a perfect time to meet someone special – for the night, the month, the year, or for life. And showing up like the well-dressed gentleman that you are, definitely helps your chances.
If you’re attached, your girl is going to love watching the other women ogle you from afar. I know that when someone looks at my man, I always think, “Yeah, that’s right, keep looking – he’s with me!” Any woman can appreciate a well-dressed man and they will, whether you’re attached or not.
Topman Green V-Neck Sweater
Boss Hugo Boss Jason Slim Fit Blue Striped Dress Shirt
G-Star RAW – Dexter Super Sl Comfort Flacks Denim (Raw)
Throw on a dark green v-neck sweater over a crisp, light blue dress shirt. Leave the top 2 buttons undone and make sure the collar tips are tucked underneath your sweater.
Finish with a pair of slim, dark wash jeans. Avoid jeans that have whiskering, fading, or holes because they’ll make your entire outfit look sloppy.
Don’t forget to add a black belt (making sure the buckle isn’t too large) and black leather dress shoes to complete the look.
Another option is to pair the above outfit with a sports coat. If you go this route, add a pocket square to finish it off. Remember: It’s all about the details.
Bring a nice bottle of wine to thank the host/hostess for throwing the party.
Bring a few business cards, just in case. You never know who you might run in to.
Introduce yourself to every person in the room. Avoid only talking to the people you know. It’s not weird or inappropriate to go up to strangers at this party because they were invited by your friend/host, just like you were. So use the fact that you have a mutual friend to introduce yourself.
Before leaving, make sure to say goodbye to the host(s) as well as the people you spoke with that night. In the adult world, it’s extremely rude to leave without saying goodbye.
We’ve officially entered December – the month of gifts, merriment, and parties. Since you’ve already done your holiday shopping, it’s time to focus on the parties.
If you’re like most of my male friends and clients, you’ll have a loose idea, at best, about how to act and what’s appropriate to wear to a work, friend’s, or family holiday party.
So I’ll lay it out for you in my 3-part Holiday Party Series. In Part 1, we’ll focus on this year’s office holiday party.
Formal Event/Sit-Down Dinner
Topman Navy Textured Slim Suit
Zara Blue Twill Shirt
The Tie Bar Charcoal Silk Knit Polkas Tie
The Tie Bar Silver Shot Tie Bar
The Tie Bar White Pocket Square (Royal Blue Border)
H&M Premium Black Leather Belt
Aldo Simmons Plain Toe Derby Dress Shoe
Some companies throw serious parties this time of year, which may include a sit-down dinner at the local country club or ritzy restaurant. This type of event calls for you to step up your game. Think of this as a perfect opportunity to impress the boss and higher-ups.
Time to break out the tailored navy suit. If you don’t have one, Topman makes fantastic ones for basically the price of a song.
Don’t forget the accessories: If you don’t know this by now, The Tie Bar is, hands down, my favorite one-stop shop for ties, pocket squares, and ties bars. You can’t beat the variety, quality, and price! Silk knit ties are a great way to update your current suit, especially for the holidays. Stick with a charcoal knit tie for a more conservative look.
Finish with black oxford dress shoes and feel free to mix it up with some holiday-themed socks, if that’s your thing.
If your company throws a cocktail party, then you’ll want to dress down a bit because this is less formal than a sit-down dinner. Since you’ll be mostly drinking and socializing, we’re going to modify the suit from the previous event slightly by skipping the tie, unbuttoning the top 2 buttons of your dress shirt, and throwing on a sweater underneath the jacket.
WARNING: If you’re not careful, you’re going to look like a sweaty mess in a matter of minutes. Go to any holiday party and look for the sweaty guy and you’ll see someone who doesn’t understand how to wear layers. The key to to staying comfortable with this look, since it’s layered, is to ensure each layer consists of lighter fabrics. Definitely avoid any wool or cashmere sweaters. Instead, go for silk/cotton blends, which will keep you at a comfortable temperature.
Tips & Etiquette
Make sure to unbutton your suit jacket when you sit down. When standing up, remember to re-button your jacket’s top button.
Do your homework. If you’re not already familiar with the C-level (CEO, CFO, COO) executives as well as the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of your company, spend a few minutes finding their names, titles and pictures and create a little cheat-sheet for yourself and keep it on your phone for quick reference. You’re going to need it when it’s time to introduce yourself to them. Yep, you’re going to go up to them at the party and say hello.
Make sure to have an almost empty drink in your hand and go up to the executives and tell them you’re having a great time at the party and thank them for throwing it. Immediately tell them your name and your position at the company. Let them lead the conversation, they’re probably much better at talking to strangers than you are, so all you have to do is answer their questions and have an exit strategy. As soon as you hit a dry spot or the conversation is winding down, tell them that you’ve got to freshen up your drink and ask if they’d like one as well. They’ll probably say “No” and now you get to leave on a good note.
You will adhere to a 2 drink maximum for the night (maximum 1 drink per hour) – or at least until the bosses and higher-ups have left. You’re there to impress and not make an ass of yourself. As much as everyone likes to say that this is “off-hours”- that’s complete bullshit. People always remember and gossip about the drunk guy from accounting who hit on the marketing girl the next working day. Don’t fall for the trap! NOTE: If the boss wants to do shots, completely disregard my advice and do shots.
This is a really old post, but it luckily still holds up!
Here’s a scenario: You’re getting dressed for an event. Your suit’s been dry cleaned, shoes have been shined, your new dress shirt is ironed and you’re all set to go. You put on your pants, tuck in and button your dress shirt, buckle your belt, tie your shoes and throw on your suit jacket while giving yourself a once-over in the mirror.
But something looks off.
There’s too much shirt sleeve peeking from underneath your jacket! Most (sloppy) guys will shrug it off and continue their night like it’s no big deal.
PLEASE don’t be like most guys!
There’s a quick and simple fix called “The Rubberband Trick”
1. Grab 2 rubberbands.
Make sure they’re large enough to wrap comfortably around your forearm without cutting off your circulation.
2. Remove your jacket, if it’s on. Place a rubberband over your sleeve, onto your forearm.
Around the middle of forearm, where there’s the most meat.
3. Tug your shirt sleeves up until your cuffs hit your wrist (this is the appropriate sleeve length).
Your cuffs should end at the bend of your wrist. Bend your wrist up and your shirt cuff should be barely touching the top of your hand.
4. Repeat for the other arm.
5. Throw on your jacket, adjust as needed and you’re ready to go!
Make sure that only about 1/2 of cuff is showing from underneath your jacket. If your jacket’s sleeves are short, adjust your shirt sleeves to only peek out a half inch. It’s better to have shorter sleeves with proper cuff spacing, than the opposite.
The rubberbands will hold your sleeves all night long. Just make sure, that if you remove your jacket at some point throughout the night, to take the rubberbands off your forearms. You’ll get some odd stares if you don’t.
This post is part of my Men’s Wardrobe Essentials Series. In the series, I give my tried-and-true men’s wardrobe essentials/basics/must haves that every guy, whether a teenager, in their 20’s, 30’s and well past their 50’s should own in order to be a classic, stylish, well-dressed man.
For well over 70 years, leather jackets have represented individuality and a rebellious, manly side throughout American history. Marlon Brando, The Ramones, WWII fighter pilots, and Springsteen all come to mind when I think of leather jackets. A well-made leather jacket is an essential addition to a man’s wardrobe because it will never go out of style, can be dressed up or down, will generally last a lifetime and fit like a second skin.
Watching a man put on a leather jacket is like watching a prize-fighter standing over his opponent after he’s been knocked down. There’s just something about it that harkens back to a classic, badass, bygone era.
What Type Of Leather Jacket Is Right For You?
There are many different types of leather jackets available, some better than others. The biker jacket, what Marlon Brando is known for, is what usually comes to mind when thinking about a leather jacket. As iconic as this jacket is, I don’t recommend it for most guys. The buckle straps, zippered cuffs, and buttoned collar and lapels are a bit much in my opinion. Unless you’re going for the ’50’s greaser or heroin-chic rockstar look, it’s best not to go this route. It often looks much better in print or on the screen than it does in person.
If you like the classic ruggedness of the biker jacket but want a cleaned-up version, the motocross jacket is perfect for you. It has a tabbed collar and less… stuff all over it, which makes it much more versatile. I prefer this style over the biker jacket because the clean design won’t add additional bulk to your frame, so it’s a great choice for all body shapes.
My hands-down favorite of all leather jackets is the bomber style jacket. It has a clean, timeless body style and the elastic, ribbed cuffs, collar, and waist allow the jacket to hug your body nicely, while adding more comfort than the more traditional styles. The leather on these jackets is usually very soft and supple compared to the other styles, so it makes for a perfect everyday type of jacket.
Best Ways To Wear It
The Biker Jacket
If you go the biker jacket route, I highly recommend this AllSaints ‘Conroy’ leather biker jacket ($670). It has all the classic biker details and an awesome slim fit, which is important since you don’t want it to add bulk to your frame. I’ve personally worked with this jacket, and like all of AllSaint’s leathers, the quality and attention to detail is exceptional. The jacket a steal at this price.
Going on a date? Pair with a white button-up shirt, wool trousers, and lace-up leather shoes and watch her salivate the whole night. Switch out the dress shirt with your favorite t-shirt and a pair of dark washed jeans for beers with the guys.
Allsaints – Leather Biker Jacket
Burberry – Leather Biker Jacket
H&M – Leather Biker Jacket
The Motocross Jacket
I’m recommending this Zara jacket for its awesome fit, super clean design, and perfect cognac shade of brown. You may be wondering why it costs less than $100. That’s because this is actually a synthetic leather jacket. But I can assure you, no one will notice. If anything, this jacket is softer, both in feel and in the hit to your bank account than real leather, which is a plus in my book. A brown jacket pairs well with shades of blues, so go with a light blue striped dress shirt, solid navy tie, light brown v-neck sweater, and a pair of dark jeans and brown dress boots to pull this awesome look off. Nix the v-neck sweater if it’s a little warm out or you tend to run warm-blooded.
Allsaints – Leather Biker Jacket
Schott Cafe Racer
The Bomber Jacket
If you want something that looks great, is super versatile as well as comfortable, then look no further than the bomber jacket. Whether going out at night or running errands during the day, I’d pair this jacket with a white t-shirt, charcoal or dark brown wool trousers, and lace-up black leather boots. You’ll look put together and not like you’re trying too hard.
Allsaints – Leather Bomber Jacket
Burberry – Lambskin Bomber Jacket
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, a well-made leather jacket is an essential addition to a man’s wardrobe because it will never go out of style, can be dressed up or down, will generally last a lifetime and fit like a second skin. When you throw one on, like a well-tailored suit, it’ll make you feel and look better. You’re not just investing in a leather jacket. You’re investing in yourself. Remember that and let’s see those leather jackets!
I’m honored to be included in Refinery 29’s 30 Under 30 List as “The Menswear Stylist” to watch. The list includes some of the most influential and inspiring individuals who are killing it in their respective industries…and as you might have guessed, we’re all under the age of 30.
You can see the full interview at the link below but thought it would be fun to share a couple of the interview questions that didn’t make the cut:
Q: Which celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life? Why?
A: Sandra Bullock – 1. She’s hilarious. 2. Have you seen what she looks like? She’d make me way hotter and funnier than I really am!
Q: When you were a kid, what did you think you were going to be doing at this age? Explain.
A: I seriously thought I’d be an astronaut at this point in my life. But clearly that didn’t pan out…Nor did being a weather woman, rocket scientist, zoologist, and Olympic gymnast.
