The big party season just kicked into high gear and now it's time to show off a little - and splurge a bit on yourself, too. Quality clothing speaks volumes without you having to say a word. So what will you wear to bring the ladies into YourSpace? For the festive season, here are a few suggestions:
Pants:
Consider tailored dress slacks by themselves or break up a suit and just use the pants. Designers to consider are Etro, Michael Kors, Zegna Sport, and Theory. A dark navy or chocolate brown, with some intricate pinstriping is a safe bet. No pleats in your slacks. And no baggy pants.
Jackets:
If it came from your suit, then go with that, but it can be fun to mix and match pieces of the suit and get more mileage out of it. Same style rules for pants apply to jackets. One of the latest trends is breaking up a tuxedo and wearing the jacket with jeans; however, do not take a tuxedo jacket and pair it up with another pair of slacks. Otherwise, you'll end up looking like a thrift-store mismatch.
Shoes:
Go for a more tailored shoe or dressed up driving shoes. No patent leather. No wingtips. Loafers (but not penny loafter) are also in right now, and some really nice ones are made by Prada, Gucci, and Ferragamo. The colors du jour are the chocolate browns and blacks. Tailored sneakers will also work here. Consider a brushed nickel buckle or strap to dress up the shoe for more formal parties.
Shirts:
Nothing beats a nice tuxedo shirt with an embellished t-shirt underneath. A v-neck sweater over an untucked collared shirt is hot now, too. Don't be monochromatic with your shirt and sweater pairings - always opt for some subtle color. And never wear corny themed sweaters or grandma's most recently crocheted piece.
These are just a few options for easy to find, simple to put together, outfits that are sure to impress. And they can take you from the holiday party straight to the clubs for the after party.
Jeff Kramer is a professional retail visual merchandiser, fashion stylist and home interiors stylist who resides in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.