• Men's Style

Dressing For The Festive Period

Introduction

Sometimes it feels like winter gets a lot of bad press. The inevitable drop in temperature combined with the British public’s fear of snow can often lead to plenty of undesirable situations: transport delays, salt stained leather shoes and increasingly less reliable umbrellas, to name but a few. All of which can leave us sartorially-inclined men feeling pretty miserable; daydreaming of the summer when it was all dusty pastel colour combinations and glorious madras. But it isn’t just the summer months that get to have all the fun. Oh no. Because with winter comes the festive season and it’s more than appropriate to let your style reflect this by adding a touch of flair and creativity to your cold-weather looks. Combined with an increased focus on layering, you could argue that there’s even more room for experimentation compared to when it’s warmer. Yet, as we all know, simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication, so let’s try to stay away from garish reindeer jumpers your gran knitted and outfits that resemble your Christmas tree. Instead, aim to subtly highlight the season of good cheer using these simple tips…

Seasonal Inspiration

As soon as the weather begins to turn, try taking inspiration from what’s going on outside. I personally love integrating more earthy tones like olive, brown and sunburnt orange into my looks during autumn, to reflect the leaves falling and the environment around me. The same can also be said for Christmas. Why not look to incorporate colours associated with the festive period? I find that accents of red, green and yellow can really bring an otherwise neutral or monochromatic look to life. For example, I have a mustard yellow wool hat from last winter that pairs perfectly with my navy pea coat, grey tweed trousers and brown brogue boots – injecting a shot of colour and separating my look from the crowd. The same can also be said for saturated red or green chinos, which work well with neutral blazers and jackets in navy or grey. Alternatively, why not try a chunky knit or scarf in a rich, autumnal hue? Just remember, when injecting a shot of seasonal colour into your outfit, keep the rest of your pieces simple and neutral to help anchor the look.

Lookbook Inspiration

Key Pieces

• Le Coq Sportif Cologne Cycle Chinos In Ivy
• Canali Washed Cotton-poplin Shirt
• Reiss Harp Cashmere V-neck Jumper Blue
• J.crew 484 Slim-fit Corduroy Trousers
• He By Mango Straight-fit Corduroy Blazer
• J.crew 484 Slim-fit Corduroy Trousers
• Asos Trapper Hat In Grey Melton
• Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boots
• Lowther Full Wellies
• Fair Isle Bobble Hat In Navy

Bow Ties

If there was ever a time to break out a bow tie, it’s now. These days, there are a plethora of styles available at every price point and in every material you can think of. They offer one of the simplest ways to communicate you’ve taken a festive approach to a formal or smart-casual outfit, without having to adjust your style too much. I personally opted for a navy and pink polka dot version from TheTieBar.com that works with every shirt and knit combination imaginable.

Lookbook Inspiration

Key Pieces

• Burberry London Knitted Cashmere Bow Tie
• He By Mango Polka-dot Bow-tie
• Alexander Olch Thrilby Plaid Woven-wool Bow Tie
• River Island Red Paisley Print Bow Tie
• River Island Bow Tie In Black Paisley
• Turnbull & Asser Taz Polka-dot Silk Bow Tie
• Beams Plus Camouflage-print Cotton Bow Tie
• Topman Wine Velvet Bow Tie
• Asos Bow Tie In Velvet
• New Look Donegal Bow Tie
• River Island Teal Two-tone Bow Tie
• Marwood Lace And Silk Bow Tie

Final Word

So there you have it, a few simple ways that you can inject some Christmas cheer into your looks this winter. As always, I want to hear what you guys have to say: what is your go-to Christmas look? How do you get creative with your style during the colder months? Let me know in the comments section below… Matt Allinson

Matt Allinson

Matt graduated from Leeds University in 2009 and is currently studying for an MA in Multi-media Journalism at Bournemouth University. He is in charge of the Men’s Fashion Basics section which provides you with a step by step guide to becoming a stylish individual in any situation.