A Christmas party outfit for men needs to last a long evening: it should look thoughtful when you arrive, feel comfortable after the herring, meatballs, and rice pudding, and not feel out of place when the evening transitions into mulled wine and mingling. The good news is that you rarely need a suit – it's the blazer and knitwear that do the job.
In this guide, we go through how to read what kind of Christmas party you are attending, what to wear to the office party versus the family party, why knitwear is the Christmas party's best friend, which colors and details feel festive without becoming a costume, and which trousers and shoes will keep you going all night.
Contents
- Read the room first
- Office Christmas party: a blazer without being a suit
- Christmas party with family
- Knitwear – the Christmas party’s best friend
- Colors and details that feel like Christmas
- Trousers and shoes for a long evening
- Our favorites right now
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Read the room first
Almost all uncertainty regarding Christmas party attire disappears when you answer three questions: Who is going to be there? Where is it? And how late does it go on?
A restaurant Christmas party with work at six, ending with dancing, is a completely different thing than a Christmas party at the in-laws' in the middle of the day on Christmas Eve. The former can handle a blazer and shirt. The latter wants something you can sit in for five hours, play with the children in, and help with the dishes in.
If there is no dress code on the invitation – which is the norm for Christmas parties – the rule of thumb is simple: dress one step nicer than a normal Friday at work, not three. If there actually is a dress code, for example, "blazer," follow it. What that means for you as a man, we go through in dress code blazer for men.
Office Christmas party: a blazer without being a suit
The office Christmas party is the dressiest version of the evening, but you should still be able to talk to colleagues and managers without looking like you're on your way to a wedding. The safest solution is a blazer with dark trousers – without the blazer and trousers matching like a suit.
A checkered blazer in gray or khaki is perfect here: the pattern feels wintry and a bit festive, and it works with both a shirt and a sweater. If you prefer a solid-colored model, a tailored blazer in a smart casual style is easy to vary.
Under the blazer, you have two good paths. A shirt – preferably a striped shirt with a button-down collar that looks relaxed without a tie. Or a thin turtleneck, which is the evening's most stylish shortcut: it looks thoughtful, keeps you warm, and requires no tie. If the party is at a finer restaurant and colleagues usually dress up, you can go all the way to a suit – in which case the same reasoning applies as in our guide on blazers for men.
Christmas party with family
At home, the level is lowered a notch, but relaxed doesn't mean casual. Sweatpants and a hoodie say you didn't care – a knit sweater and a pair of proper trousers say you did, without trying too hard.
This is where knitwear does its best work. A knit sweater with ribbed details over a shirt, or a knit sweater with a half-zip and stand-up collar, looks thoughtful in the Christmas photos and can be worn all day. If it's warm indoors, you just unzip it.
Knitwear – the Christmas party’s best friend
Knitwear is what ties every Christmas party together. It looks wintry and festive, it gives way when you eat, and it works just as well under a blazer at the office party as it does alone at home with family.
Turtleneck: A slim-fit turtleneck with a soft knitted texture is the most versatile garment you can own in December. Under a blazer, it becomes dressed up; with chinos, it becomes relaxed.
Crewneck sweater: Worn with a shirt collar sticking out, it becomes more formal. Choose a thinner knit if you are going to wear a blazer over it – a thick sweater under a blazer makes the shoulders look too broad.
Cardigan: A knit cardigan over a shirt is a softer alternative to a blazer for a home Christmas party. You can read about how to keep knitwear looking good all season in how to wash knitwear.
Colors and details that feel like Christmas
The Christmas party is one of the few occasions where a men's wardrobe can handle a little color. Dark green, wine red, and deep navy blue feel like Christmas without you looking like Santa. A tip is to let one garment carry the color – the sweater or the tie – and keep the rest neutral in gray, black, or camel.
Check and tweed are the patterns of winter. A checkered blazer or a sweater with texture does more for the Christmas feeling than a sweater with reindeer on it – save the ugly Christmas sweater for the party where it is explicitly requested. ELLE has gathered more ideas on what feels right in December in what to wear to the Christmas party.
Trousers and shoes for a long evening
The trousers need to be able to handle you sitting for a long time. Tailored trousers with stretch look as neat as dress trousers but give way when you sit. Dark chinos work at the family Christmas party, and dark jeans without rips are okay if the rest of the outfit is dressed up.
On your feet: leather shoes or Chelsea boots in brown or black for the office party, clean leather boots or loafers at home. Avoid trainers – even white sneakers drag down an otherwise thoughtful outfit. And remember that you might have to take your shoes off at home with family: whole socks are also part of the outfit.
| Christmas Party | Outfit to choose | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Office restaurant party | Blazer, shirt or turtleneck, dark trousers | Don't match blazer and trousers unless it's a suit |
| Fancier party with dancing | Suit or blazer with waistcoat, shirt and tie | Leather shoes you can stand in all evening |
| Family Christmas party | Knit sweater, shirt underneath, chinos | Comfortable to sit in for a long time |
| Christmas party with friends | Turtleneck or half-zip, dark jeans | A color that feels like Christmas – green or wine red |
| No idea of the dress code | Blazer over a thin sweater | The blazer can be taken off if everyone else is more casual |
Our favorites right now
Three garments that work for every Christmas party:
- Elegant slim-fit turtleneck for men – available in dark green, wine red, and navy blue, perfect under a blazer.
- Checkered blazer with a tailored fit – wintry, festive, and easy to wear with both shirts and sweaters.
- Tailored formal trousers with stretch – neat as dress trousers, comfortable after the third round.
Frequently asked questions
What should a man wear to a Christmas party?
A blazer with dark trousers and a shirt or turtleneck works for almost every Christmas party. At home with family, a knit sweater, preferably with a shirt underneath, and chinos are enough.
Do you have to wear a suit to the office Christmas party?
No, usually not. A blazer with trousers in a different color is the most common. A suit is only needed if the invitation says "dark suit" or if the party is at a really nice restaurant.
Can you wear jeans to a Christmas party?
Yes, at a Christmas party with family or friends – choose dark jeans without rips and dress up the rest with a blazer or knitwear. For the office party, suit trousers or chinos are safer.
Can you wear a turtleneck to a Christmas party?
Yes, a turtleneck is one of the best choices. It looks thoughtful, requires no tie, and works both under a blazer and on its own.
Which colors are suitable for men's Christmas party wear?
Dark green, wine red, and navy blue feel festive, while gray, black, and camel keep the rest of the look calm. Let one garment carry the color.
Do you need a tie for a Christmas party?
Rarely. An open shirt collar or a turtleneck is enough for most parties. A tie is appropriate if the dress code says "dark suit" or if it is a very formal party.
Summary
The best Christmas party outfit for men starts with reading the occasion. For the office party, a blazer, shirt or turtleneck, and dark trousers are right; at home with family, knitwear and chinos are enough. Choose a color that feels festive, trousers that give way, and shoes you can stand in all night. If you are looking for inspiration for a partner or friend, the women's section is in our Christmas party outfit guide.
Ready to find yours? Explore our blazers for men and sweaters for men.
