LookSmart

The Ultimate Christmas Styling Guide for Men: Look Sharp This Festive Season

With Christmas approaching, it’s time to deck the halls and get your wardrobe in top shape for the season of work parties, family events, and friendly gatherings. We’re here to help you unwrap the secret to perfect holiday outfits. 

Elevate Your Style This Christmas

Christmas is known to be a series of parties, occasions, and events, and it’s a great time to put your best foot forward, looking sharp whatever the occasion. 

We can help you elevate your style with on-point advice and expert alterations – tailoring, hemming, repairing, and fitting your wardrobe (whether old or brand new), giving you the confidence of knowing you look your best.

Where to start? Look at your calendar. Will you be attending concerts and performances? Work parties? Family gatherings at the beach? 

The key to Australia’s summer holiday season is to dress for the weather, pairing festive flair with breezy style. Choose lightweight linens and breathable cotton to keep you fresh. Opt for cool colours, like light greens, blues, and corals. And don’t be afraid of colour or sparkle – add a few touches with ties, socks, or statement pieces. 

Outfit Ideas For Different Christmas Celebrations

Curating the ultimate Christmas outfit is all about balancing tradition with modern details and your own personal style. Let’s explore men’s outfit ideas tailored to various Christmas occasions.

Formal Christmas Parties

Formal is fun. It’s your opportunity to look cool, elegant, and 007. Command attention with a well-tailored suit, paired with a crisp, white, button-up shirt. 

Pair it with a tie or pocket square in red or emerald green as a nod to the Christmas occasion, and top it off with sophisticated accessories, like a nice watch and leather shoes.

The key to nailing this look is in the tailoring. Suits need to be sharp, clean, and they need to fit like a glove. We can help it fit your physique, so you look (and feel) like a million. 

Casual Family Gatherings

Dressing for casual family gatherings can be more fun and playful. You’ll still want to look your best, even if the memo is to dress down. Smart-casual is the go-to look for backyard BBQs and cricket matches.

Keep it effortless and classy by pairing chinos with a crisp linen shirt. Pair colour with neutral tones – for example, salmon-coloured shorts with a white shirt, or a bright lemon shirt with khaki-coloured shorts. Loafers or sandals will help keep you cool while looking cool. 

The trick to nailing this look is to make sure the sizing is on-point. Don’t settle for buying off the rack – get the shorts and shirt tailored to fit properly.

Beach Party

Australians enjoy sandy Christmases, rather than snowy ones. Rock a pair of tailored shorts with a crisp cotton button-up for the ultimate beach-ready look. This combo provides a polished, festive look while keeping you cool and comfortable.

Choose light colours and bold patterns – florals are fun and unexpected. Adding a dapper hat and sunglasses gives a style vibe while protecting you from the summer sun. 

One important tip for this look is don’t neglect the footwear! Pair your outfit with clean and comfortable loafers or sandals, or tidy sneakers with a colourful, playful pair of socks. 

The Office Christmas Party

Some office Christmas parties might be formal, but most fall somewhere in between office-wear and cocktail parties. Make an effort – present yourself with polish and confidence; it will help your bosses see you in a different and more positive light.

Pair tailored trousers with a sharp shirt or even a blazer. Top off the look with a nice belt and polished shoes. As a nod to the holiday occasion, go with a festive tie or red or green pocket square.

Top tip: Even though it’s a Christmas party, you are representing yourself to your bosses. Play it a bit straight, with a small nod to fun (keeping it stylish). Making sure your clothes fit well and are comfortable will help keep you comfortable, so you’re not stiff as a board(room).

Styling Tips For A Festive Look

Adding a few fine details is the key to a festive look. Stay on-trend this holiday season with these fashion-forward tips.

Choosing Colours And Patterns

Christmas and the warmer weather give you a rich palette to choose from. Embrace the season with bold colours – rich reds, verdant greens, and metallic accents of silver and gold. 

You can also lean into the summer side of things, by opting for bright colours (lemon, mint, coral, sky-blue), traditional patterns (like navy-and-white stripe), or bold prints (florals, paisleys, or festive patterns). This is a great time to show off your personal style.

Accessorise For The Season

The right accessories add that something extra. For more formal events, a sleek watch, leather belt, and leather shoes will complement a tailored suit.

If the party is more festive or casual, brightly coloured socks, a festive tie (a sparkly bow-tie, for example), or jaunty hat will take your look to the next level.

Fabrics To Beat The Heat

Choosing the right fabrics will help keep you cool and sweat-free during Australia’s summer festive season. Breathable, lightweight, and natural fabrics like cotton and linen will help keep you cool (and perspiration to a minimum). 

It might sound contradictory, but lightweight wool (another natural fibre) is ideal for beating a chill on summer evenings, while looking sharp and well put-together. It’s a fantastic layer.

Tailoring Your Festive Look With LookSmart

Clothing that is too tight or too loose can ruin your evening (and your look). It’s uncomfortable, and that will reflect in the way you carry yourself.

This is where we can help. Our tailoring services and style advice will help you get your outfit looking sharp and you feeling confident. 

Why Proper Fit Matters

Perfectly tailored clothing hugs your body just right, showing off your physique. You don’t want to spend the holidays tugging on your sleeves or worrying about your pants bunching up. When your apparel fits flawlessly, you wear the clothes instead of the clothes wearing you.

Common Alterations For Christmas Outfits

Don’t let a poorly fitted wardrobe steal the spotlight from you this holiday season. Sleeve adjustments can trim length from awkward to sharp. Hemming your pants ensures the length is just right. Tailoring a jacket or adding vents gives a polished appearance.

Quick And Reliable Services

Caught off-guard with a last-minute outfit fix? Our Express Service will complete your alterations in 24 hours or less. (Additional charges apply.) Whether it’s a blazer tweak or a hem adjustment, our expert team will make sure you’re party-ready in no time at all. 

Our expert tailors specialise in style refresh so you can feel confident you’re looking your best this holiday season. 

Sustainable Styling Options for Men

Sustainability and mindfulness are always in fashion. Your choices can help contribute to curbing fashion waste.

Reuse And Update Wardrobe Staples

You don’t need to buy new – just give your tried-and-true favourites a little love and attention. Simple alterations can breathe new life into the pieces you already own, saving you money (and saving the planet). Trim and taper a hem or sleeve for a modern fit. Add unique touches like new buttons, patches, or embroidery for various occasions. Get the lining repaired. Scouring your local thrift store is another affordable option to updating wardrobe staples. 

Invest In Timeless Pieces

Ditch fast fashion for timeless classics. Opting for high-quality pieces like wool sweaters, a well-tailored suit, or a durable leather jacket means you won’t need to replace them for years. Curating a versatile wardrobe with key staples like classic blazers, white t-shirts, or tailored trousers means you always have options, no matter the event.

Support Local Tailoring Services

Supporting local tailoring services like LookSmart means you’ll get high-quality craftsmanship and professional style advice while you’re repairing and reusing old favourites. 

FAQs

1. What are the best fabrics for men’s Christmas outfits?

You can’t go wrong with natural, lightweight, and breathable fabrics, like linen, cotton, and even wool. These are the best fabrics for men’s Christmas outfits, as they’re the most versatile and compatible with Australia’s summer heat. 

2. Can I alter an old suit to fit the festive season?

Yes! Minor alterations can breathe new life into an old suit, giving it a fresh, festive look. LookSmart’s skilled tailors can alter the suit to fit, repair any damage, and even add a festive touch or two. 

3. What accessories can enhance my Christmas look?

Colourful, fun socks can elevate your Christmas look instantly. Choose a festive tie with bold patterns or vibrant colours that reflect your personal style. Complement it with a stylish pocket square for an extra dash of personality. Wrap up your festive outfit with a statement watch for some holiday bling.

4. How soon should I book alterations before Christmas?

We don’t take bookings, but recommend getting your alterations done two to three weeks in advance to ensure ample time for adjustments. This allows you to make last-minute changes without stress. In addition, our Express Service will complete your alterations in 24 hours or less. (Additional charges apply.) 

Get Your Perfectly Tailored Festive Christmas Outfit With LookSmart

Whatever the occasion or outfit, a well-tailored ensemble is the key to feeling comfortable and confident. 

We can help you look your best this holiday season. LookSmart Alteration has 120+ stores providing affordable tailoring and expert styling advice. For styling advice, come to your nearest LookSmart store in Australia or New Zealand so our tailors can advise you on outfit alterations to accentuate your best features this festive season.