Festive attire for men
Festive attire for men means cocktail-level dressing with a seasonal touch: a dark suit or blazer with one festive element, like a velvet jacket, a burgundy or green tie, or a patterned pocket square.
Get a festive attire outfit for your event
Festive attire is cocktail attire with a holiday twist, so these are Dress the Part’s cocktail looks. The app opens on winter for the right fabrics.
What to wear
Example photo: Alfredo Dacosta / PexelsNavy suit, red tie
- JacketNavy suit
- TrousersMatching navy trousers
- ShirtWhite dress shirt
- NeckwearRed or burgundy silk tie
- ShoesBlack oxfords
- ExtrasRed or white pocket square
In spring and summer: light grey-blue suit. See it
Example photo: Eugene Samoilov / PexelsTextured jacket, knit tie
- JacketGrey windowpane sport coat
- TrousersCharcoal wool trousers
- ShirtLight blue dress shirt
- NeckwearNavy silk knit tie
- ShoesBrown suede loafers
- ExtrasPatterned silk pocket square
In spring and summer: tan jacket, navy trousers. See it
By season
| Season | The safe bet | The flex | Cloth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Light grey-blue suit | Tan jacket, navy trousers | Mid-weight wool or wool-linen, 9–10 oz |
| Summer | Light grey-blue suit | Tan jacket, navy trousers | Tropical wool, linen or cotton, 7–9 oz |
| Fall | Navy suit, red tie | Textured jacket, knit tie | Worsted wool or light flannel, 10–12 oz |
| Winter | Navy suit, red tie | Textured jacket, knit tie | Flannel or heavy worsted, 11–13 oz |
What it costs
Typical prices for the whole safe-bet look, from budget stores to investment pieces:
- Budget$195–$395
- Mid-range$620–$1,130
- Investment$1,520–$2,800
Prices are typical ranges and change often. Shop each piece at real stores in the app.
Accessories
Pick one festive accent and stop there: a jewel-toned tie, a patterned pocket square, velvet loafers or festive socks. A tidy watch and simple cufflinks round it out.
Day or evening
Most festive events are in the evening, so go darker: navy, charcoal, black, burgundy or deep green.
By venue
In hotel ballrooms and restaurants, wear a velvet dinner jacket or a dark suit. At house parties, a blazer over a fine knit or turtleneck with dark trousers works well.
Wedding, party or work
At a work holiday party, keep it to one subtle festive touch. At a friend’s party or on New Year’s Eve, you can go bolder, like a velvet jacket or a colored tuxedo.
Skip these
- Novelty sweaters (unless the invite asks for them)
- More than one or two festive accents at once
- Sneakers
- Costume pieces like light-up ties
Common questions
Can I wear a holiday sweater to a festive attire party?
Only if the invite says "ugly sweater" or similar. Festive attire means dressing up with a seasonal touch, not novelty wear.
Do I need a tie for festive attire?
Not always. A jewel-toned tie is an easy way to add the festive touch, but a velvet jacket over an open collar or fine knit also works.
What colors are festive?
Burgundy, deep green, midnight blue and gold accents, plus textures like velvet. Keep it to one or two.
Can I wear a velvet blazer?
Yes. A velvet jacket in burgundy, green or midnight blue with dark trousers is the classic festive move.
Have an invite?
Paste it into Dress the Part and get the dress code decoded, an outfit for your season and setting, and where to buy each piece at any budget.