In the past few years, party dress codes have bordered on the ridiculous and, quite frankly, confuse the hell out of me. If I come across another invite that dictates that I come dressed in something 'wickedly fabulous' or 'after-hours chic', expect me to not show up simply because I can't be bothered to decipher what they mean. There's already so much confusion in the world, why add to it?
Dress codes should be simple and straightforward, and not laced with superfluous adjectives or adverbs. Think of them as ice cream flavours - the simplest are the best. Chocolate or strawberry? Black tie or semi-formal? With the party season upon us, be prepared to crack sartorial codes that would make Mensa members surrender in defeat. If you don't want to put up with all that, allow me to give you some pointers on how to navigate this complicated territory.
It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. When an invitation says smart casual, often times it is better to show up in a suit without a tie rather than a blazer and jeans. This way, people will think that you are going to a dressier and more fabulous event after. A dark suit from Dolce & Gabbana and a slim fit white shirt from their Martini collection are fail-safe options. The sharp tailoring will help conceal the recent abnormal calorie intake caused by holiday party hopping and because it fits so well, it can also act as a gauge of when to stop wolfing down Christmas ham.
Should a smart casual cocktail party be followed by a formal dinner, simply button up the top button, add a medium size tie in a dark colour, and throw on a cardigan for a dapper three-piece look. If you don't like overdressing, but still want to be appropriately dressed, take your cue from hip label Band of Outsiders and wear a relaxed light grey suit paired with a lighter round-neck sweater and your favourite trainers. As a matter of preference, I wouldn't wear trainers but weekend loafers instead. You can also wear a shawl-collared sweater on top of a white dress shirt and tailored trousers. Inject a festive spirit by picking a sweater in a bright colour such as yellow as seen at Hermes. This type of look would be great for an office Christmas party at a bar in Central. It's easy to pull off and doesn't give off a smug vibe.
Formal dress codes require more thought. It's easy to reach for a suit when it comes to party dressing because what else can a man wear to a formal event? A sweeping caftan? Not unless your larger than life like Andre Leon Talley. It's important to have a solid, investment piece suit because it is the starting point of many sartorial permutations. Take a suit from Ralph Lauren Purple Label and wear with a Windsor knotted tie and a pocket square in the same colour palette; or you can substitute a silk ascot for the tie for a Great Gatsby look. You can also lose the shirt and wear a thin cashmere turtleneck sweater from Loro Piana and gold-embroidered velvet slippers from John Lobb or Ermenegildo Zegna if you want to look more European.
When it comes to black tie events, as most New Year's Eve parties will be, don't even think about finding an alternative to the tuxedo because there isn't one. Repeat this to yourself: black tie equals tuxedo. Not a variation of a tuxedo but a proper one. Think of George Clooney during the Oscars in a handsomely tailored classic tuxedo with a pleated white shirt and black bowtie from Giorgio Armani. Who wouldn't want to look like a Hollywood leading man rather than a style-challenged D-lister? A velvet tuxedo like the one from Salvatore Ferragamo is a good option too, plus it will keep you warm.