Most of us will never be nominated for a Tony or score an invite to the Met Gala—two obvious occasions to employ creative black tie attire. But if you're in that position, congrats! And how did you do that? We're here for you, and we have some thoughts about what you ought to wear.
But if you're a normal guy, you still have opportunities. Your peacock party lasts an entire month, happens every year, and it’s called holiday season. Whether you need a men’s New Year’s Eve outfit before the ball drops, or want the perfect ensemble for your work holiday party, you’ll need to get familiar with festive cocktail attire for men.
For more information on dress codes, check out our full guide here.
Table of Contents
Festive Attire Definition
Festive Attire for Holiday Parties & Events
Creative Black Tie Definition
Creative Black Tie Attire for Men
Festive Attire Dress Code Definition
With non-stop religious and cultural holidays stacked on the calendar, December is an uber-festive month. That’s your first clue—festive is celebratory, merry, and joyful. Festive is warm, bright, and welcoming. Mirror that festive feeling if you get an invite requesting festive holiday attire.
So... a chunky sweater and call it a day? While some do celebrate a marled wool crewneck (hey, it’s cozy), that fit doesn’t exactly inspire the kind of enthusiasm you’d associate with a New Year’s Eve party, and you might feel underdressed. Aim higher and make a bigger effort — it won't hurt.
Think of festive attire as a version of cocktail attire that’s unique to the holiday season. When it comes to festive attire, the biggest question you must answer is how you'll work color and fabric patterns into your look. Will you keep it low-key or go bold?
Festive Attire for Men
Like skinning a cat but less gross, there’s more than one way to put together a look. For our purposes, we’re approaching this from one of two schools of thought: pattern or color?
Festive Attire Inspiration: Color
Rich colors, like emerald and ruby, work well for for a festive dress code. There's an argument to be made that you don't want to go too stereotypically "red and green," but they do feel on-brand for a holiday party. Events during the cold seasons are also great opportunities to use some varied texture in your look. What looks as cozy and warm (not to mention unique) as a plush velvet jacket?
Festive Attire Inspiration: Pattern
Patterns like tartan and gingham might seem a little intimidating, but putting together (and pulling off) any of these looks isn't complicated, and the reward is high. Tartan has an especially festive vibe—those lovely Scottish intangibles. Go full pattern (see the Black Watch Tartan or Pinstripe tuxedos below), or combine a patterned jacket with solid pants (or vice versa, called a dinner jacket look). The two fits in the latter category below—Split Tartan Jacket and Black Velvet Gingham—anchor their patterns with solid black. This is a safe, classic choice, but read on for riskier moves.
Creative Black Tie Dress Code Definition
Here's a dumbed down definition of creative black tie: I want you to wear a tuxedo, but an interesting tuxedo.
That’s it, playfulness by way of formal wear. If you're invited to a creative black tie wedding, the couple is clearly challenging you to outshine them at their wedding. What brass. Alternatively, this could be fashionable gala or an awards show with a colorful carpet. Whatever the case may be, you must bring it.
Playing it safe with a classic black and white tux probably won’t cut it.
Creative Black Tie Attire for Men
Let's go back to the basics: do you lean toward a flourish of color or a low-key pattern?
Creative Black Tie Inspiration: Color
If festive attire calls for rich and cozy color, creative black tie is the time for a more vibrant hue. That doesn't mean your tux has to be loud... but it could be. Remember the classic dinner jacket looks above? The Marigold & Rose tux below starts with the same idea, but definitely makes a more vocal style statement by matching two contrasting, colorful pieces.
Or go the other way, with a full tux in one unique color. The full plum, marigold, and rose tuxedos below hold their own without the busywork of patterns.
Creative Black Tie Inspiration: Pattern
If busy patterns are considered and coordinated, they can look incredible. You could argue the Velvet Leopard tux below has as much to offer in its color as its pattern, but black tuxedo pants anchor the outfit. Same goes for the Midnight Pin Dot tuxedo, though this is definitely a more restrained choice.
Festive Attire & Creative Black Tie for Everyone
Now that you're caught up on the outfits that festive holiday attire and creative black tie call for, try to imagine putting together a look for one of these events in your old grey suit. Not impossible, but difficult.
You shouldn’t have to be a connected influencer or have your own stylist to look great on New Year’s Eve. That's why we offer unique, creative tuxedos alongside classic suiting and formal wear — available to rent for that one-off creative black tie event. Create your look now, here.
