In this chaotic menswear age, a fresh party season is upon us. A fresh time to strut. But what should you guys wear to that Xmas lunch, office Xmas party or a NYE rave-up?
As menswear continues to let loose, the traditional ways are changing. Guys have been more willing to take risks: wear a massive oversized blazer, wear sweatpants with loafers, wear every single piece of jewellery you own at once.
What are the new rules when it comes to getting dressed up? Here are a few dos and don’ts to get you looking party-ready.
If your white socks aren’t diamond white, bin ’em
With great white socks comes great responsibility: keeping them white. Because the moment they lose that shine, they look grubby – especially when they’re worn with some box-fresh white trainers. To prolong their lifespan, throw a small amount of bleach or a good dollop of Vanish into the wash.
A neckerchief really does make everything better
Sometimes you need a little something to finish an outfit. Something less fussy than a tie, but more casual than a necklace. This is where the neckerchief comes into its own. Roll it up and join the two edges of your bandana to tie them in a simple knot.
Hi-tops and shorts will cook your proportions
No matter how tall you are, wearing hi-top trainers with shorts will ruin everything. It will make your shins look smaller, lower the knee and make your torso appear longer.
Go long, feel powerful
Shopping for a coat? The longer the better. It’ll look more expensive (like the designers weren’t skimping on fabric) and actually do its job of keeping you warm. Plus, you get to swish around like Keanu Reeves
Try A Second Hand Designer Watch
Every watch person will tell you that speculating on your watch’s worth is a losing game. The investment is not in the watch, but in you. It all comes down to your personal budget. Got more than £5K to splash? A pre-owned Rolex is a good bet. It’s a household name, but it will never, despite what your snobbiest friend may say, be basic. Instead, it’s something you can wear daily with anything.
Buy one really expensive shirt and wear it to death
A vintage Armani shirt is the ideal, It has a certain charm that treads the line between business and pleasure. You’ll get so much wear out of it.
Don’t wear big trousers if you don’t want to
Some shapes just don’t work for some people (except Harry Styles), and that’s OK. If the homies are dabbling in baggies, that doesn’t mean you have to. If you think slim cuts suit you, and big trousers spook you, just go with what you know. I personally love flares but that’s another story altogether.
Start strong with your suit
With a constructed jacket, a strong shoulder sets the tone for the rest of the look, and how it drapes on the body. A front tuck with a belt, where just the front of your shirt is tucked in, is a great way to anchor a look and keep it focused.
Age-appropriate dressing is no longer appropriate
Do you really need to retire the Nikes, Adidas or Yeezys? In a word, no. If you can’t rock up to a xmas all-dayer in an oversized Hawaiian shirt (pressed and tucked in) and vintage shorts, what’s the point?
Wear a tie out to dinner sometimes. It feels nice
I sat next to a young guy in a restaurant recently who was wearing a suit and tie in a non-corporate sort of way. He looked great, and it made me realise how much a tie creates a sense of harmony with tailoring and stops you from looking like a politician at an awkward photoshoot. He’d made an effort, and that’s cool.
…and only 2 per cent of men can actually pull off a football shirt
It’s hard to look good in a football shirt when you’re at a match, let alone in the pub or anywhere else. If you must, keep it vintage – the new high-tech fabrics cling, and they only really meld with other high-tech fabrics. And make sure you know something about the team in question.
