A guide to the best menswear for for festive parties

From black tie and jazzy velvet jackets to casual roll necks, Lee Holmes shares how to dress to impress over the party season

Thursday 01 December 2016 15:33 EST

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At this time of year, thinking about what to wear to the office Christmas party can lead to much head scratching. In all probability, it's going to be the most dressed-up work do you'll attend, so there's plenty of pressure to show off your festive sartorial expertise.

For formal, fancy office receptions, where the dresscode commands black tie, then only the trusty tuxedo, with all its bells and whistles, will do.

But if your particular jamboree is a more casual affair then ditch the bow-tie and dress it up or down, but with swinging festive spirit. If you are taking the suit route then make sure it’s not the one you wear for work. A relaxed two button suit in grey from COS is handsome and flattering and if you team it with a snazzy tie – at least you'll have had a stab at the Christmassy dress code.

If you're determined to bag the role of the leading man, then dial up old-school glamour with a velvet jacket. If you've already had a swig or three of cooking sherry, and are feeling brave and modern, then you could ditch the traditional blazer-style and opt for a velvet bomber jacket. Topman and H&M have an excellent selection available.

Underneath, wear a crisp, white shirt, or skip that and settle on a roll-neck; just remember to keep your sweater fine-knit and never tuck it in. Stick to jeans for the bottom half; a dark indigo shade is better than anything in stonewash. The best advice, though, is always to arrive fashionably late.