With the holiday season right around the corner, you might soon find yourself going to multiple parties, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s Eve. Granted, you could wear a simple pair of jeans with a T-shirt, but what if you did a stylish sendoff to 2024? This guide can help you find out what to wear to impress everybody this season!
Basic rules of thumb
The name of the game is minimal elegance. This means not appearing flashy with certain pieces but rather combining nice touches into one stunning look. Some main rules to follow while styling your outfit are to keep to neutrally dark colors and light jewelry. Considering the festive spirit, I’d recommend opting for matching shades of greens and reds. This does not mean you cannot wear bright statement pieces nor does it bar you from wearing your stunning gemstone necklace, but it means being mindful of how the outfit comes together. Rules of art are meant to be broken and fashion is no different, just understand the basics before you attempt anything brash.
Headwear
A wonderful unisex way to enhance your look is with a formal hat, especially a beret or even a bowler hat. While these two hats have traditionally been assigned to men, they have become popular for women as well. This is a wonderful way to protect your hair from the cold and you can hang it with your coat once indoors.
Another wonderful feature for women to enhance their outfits is earrings. These typically can vary from small costume-gold hoops to iconic Van Cleef clovers; they are already staples in women’s fashion. But for this holiday season, perhaps consider going in with a ribbons theme and wearing bow earrings for a bold — but not incredibly costly — addition to any outfit!
The core of the look
For men, I’d recommend a stylized tuxedo, keeping you both warm and spectacularly stylish. If you want to go with the classic, a black tux is the way to go. But if you’d like to opt for some pizzazz, look for tuxedo sets that match holiday colors — reds, greens and whites — with a crisp white dress shirt underneath.
For women, I would recommend a white or darker-colored plain dress. Bonus points if the buttons’ metal matches your jewelry. The goal is for the dress to look fancy but not elaborate, so aim for more of a ritzed-up sundress look versus pulling out your old prom dress.
Another unisex addition you can make is a necklace. This can range from a simple chain to a chain with a meaningful symbol, such as a religious icon, your zodiac sign or even an amulet-style necklace. A great option for a necklace, if your budget permits, is to choose lab-grown gemstones and mixed metals — such as 14k gold instead of 24k gold — for timeless pieces that can last for decades.
Wrists
Watches and bracelets will be your best friend here. Typically, you wear your watch on the wrist opposite your dominant hand and can add one or two bracelets — if desired — to your dominant hand for a balanced look. Bracelets can be anything from a simple metal hoop to adding holiday-themed charms for a personalized touch. In terms of watches, any sort of dress watch on a leather or metal strap will be perfect. If you are budget-conscious, a Casio A168W can work like a charm for around $20. Another wonderful option, if you own a smartwatch, is looking into purchasing a formal strap. This is typically a sturdy leather strap or metallic bracelet.
Legs
Arguably the second-most important aspect of your outfit will be your pants. This can include anything from crisp black jeans — if paired well with your shoes and top — to dress pants that help provide an extra oomph to any outfit. Another timeless option is tights, with the plain dark colors being a perfect touch to any dress.
Footwear
Regarding footwear, it’s up to you and the dress code required. If the dress code is more laid-back, I’d recommend looking into sneakers (think plain or holiday colorway Nike Air Force Ones) or formal Chelsea boots. If the dress code is more formal — or if you’d like to spice up your outfit — opt for flats for women and Oxford shoes for men. Heels are also an option but consider how comfortable you will feel walking in them.
