Around this time of year, all the articles I see on what to wear for Christmas invariably feature men’s outfits with a full black tie ensemble or something with a velvet blazer.

But in my experience, my personal styling clients, want something more low key:

- Something smart casual to wear to the works Christmas do, that’s a bit more elevated than their day to day look.

- Cool casual stuff to wear to hang out with family and friends, in that time between Christmas and New Year.

- Outfits for the drinks with neighbours, carol concerts or taking the kids to the panto.

And let’s face it - black tie is a uniform, so you probably don’t need a guide on how to do it anyway, right?

It’s putting together those enhanced but not too “try hard” outfits that are a struggle for lots of guys.

So here goes……this is my take on some of the things I’ve been buying with clients on personal shopping trips, and suggestions of smart casual and casual outfits for the upcoming Christmas festivities.

A forest green roll neck - what could be more Christmassey? Thanks to my client who told me about this fab brand - and there are tons of other great colours to be had too.

To make a great festive outfit, I’ve put it with these super flattering cords (bought with a client on a personal shopping trip recently) and these chunky shoes (bought with yet another client a couple of days ago) to give it a modern edge.

Add in some socks from my fave brand, Anonymous Ism, and a gorgeous coat (yet to buy with a client but I’m working on finding the right one!), and finish off with this very cool ring, and you have a great outfit.

Wear it to low key drinks, your kid’s school play, or the neighbours nibbles.

Forest green seamless roll neck - Laurence J Smith at Frans Boone Store - 228.99 Euros
Navy cashmere mix cord trousers - Cad & The Dandy - £365
Black grained leather deck shoes - S.T. Valentin at Wax London - £195
Navy textured twill overcoat - Paul Smith - £500
Green 5 colour mix socks - Anonymous Ism at Arena - £32
Sterling silver raw blue sapphire scatter band ring - The Ouze at Liberty - £273

Okay so this one is not exactly dressy, but the rust sweater gives a nod to Christmas don’t you think?

I absolutely love this jacket and have bought it with 2 clients this season. The mix of blues and browns makes it surprisingly easy to pair up with things, as demonstrated by this rust sweater which tones beautifully. But it also goes great with blues, greys, black and some greens.

Nudie is my go-to brand for jeans and I’ve moved away from the Lean Deans and narrower styles, which I’ve bought with tons of clients in the past, towards the slightly roomier cuts (see the chart on their website which gives a sliding scale of cuts from narrow to wide). This one which is called ‘Gritty Jackson’, is bang smack in the middle.

I’m always going on about how much of a difference accessories make, and the scarf, bag, and trainers all tone in and finish off this casual Christmas outfit beautifully.

Perfect for a family walk on the ‘big day’ to stroll of the large lunch (and make room for more treats later!). Or layer up with a beanie, and a gilet under the jacket to go and watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

‘Gael’ boucle wool jacket - NNO7 at End Clothing - £469
’Gritty Jackson’ jeans - Nudie - £145
”Blenheim’ rust jumper - Oliver Spencer - £249
”Reelwind” sneakers - Autry - £175
Leather workwear bag - Bleu De Chauffe at Toast - £175
Blue ribbed Donegal cashmere scarf - Johnstons of Elgin at Mr Porter - £450

When you want something special for the works Xmas party, but it’s not the full on tux or velvet blazer situation - what do you wear?

Enter the black velvet casual zip up jacket…..from M&S of all places! It’s not somewhere I usually shop with guys but I was very taken with this casual number. And it’s not just for Christmas - it adds texture to an all black outfit for evenings out, or wear it in the day with a chunky cream sweater and faded jeans.

Burgundy works on a lot of people, and you’ll be cosy when you layer this Portugese flannel shirt, under the velvet jacket. On the bottom half, I’d put another pair of jeans from Nudie - this time one step slimmer from the ones above, and in a deep indigo blue for a more classic look.

Finish with these cool boots (the client who bought these on a shopping trip said they’re super comfy) and some more beautiful socks and don’t forget your gloves for when it gets nippy on the journey home.

Black cotton velvet trucker jacket - M&S - £75
Burgundy ‘Teca’ shirt - Portugese Flannel at Mr Porter - £105
’Solid Oliie’ slim fit denim jeans in Dry Abyss - Nudie jeans at Selfridges - £145
Black ‘Hive 005’ zipped leather boots - Officine Creative - 399 Euros
Damson leather gloves with wool and cashmere lining - Paul Smith - £220
’GoHemp Splash’ pattern socks - Anonymous Ism at Consortium - £33.99

Is it even a Christmas outfit if it doesn’t feature a reindeer jumper or something shiny? Maybe not, but it does have the colours of the season in it - red and green. Surely that counts?

Anyway, I just wanted to put together some cool outfits that I thought you guys might wear. Not a ton of tux’s when the most dressed up you’re going to get, is when you drag yourself and the family away from the TV, and head out to the pub for lunch and a walk.

I was sceptical about these loose chinos when the assistant in Asket (not to be confused with Arket) suggested them, as they didn’t look that great on the hanger, but when my client tried them on, they looked brilliant and I was completely sold. Loose but not too much so, and with a slight taper towards the hem.

Put them with a chambray shirt - I always think this is a great all rounder to dress up or down ie: you could wear this with a knitted tie and suit if you wanted, and add a fleecy gilet for some extra warmth.

Finish off with a cool scarf, beanie and boots. And if you need more layers add a tweedy raglan sleeved coat on top or a sweater under the gilet, and voilà - you’re ready to trek round Winter Wonderland with the kids.

Chambray shirt - Hartford at Mr Porter - £120
Fawn fleece wool waistcoat - Universal Works - £120
Khaki loose twill chinos - Asket - £150
Chesnut coloured ‘Bill’ boots - Grenson - £365
’Dyad’ gingham scarf - Toast - £85
Red ribbed beanie hat - Paul Smith at Liberty - £87.50

And finally, for those of you who do like to dress up a little more - here'‘s an outfit with a blazer. If you’re going to an upmarket bar or restaurant for a Christmas party, and want something smart but not looking like you’ve come straight for the office, then listen up.

Choose a blazer in a more casual fabric like cord (extra points for going double breasted), and a pair of smart trousers - brown is very on trend now and I can vouch for how great these look on, as a client bought these (in grey) last month.

I adore this colour mix of dusty mauve, with the brown and grey. The burgundy shoes are a shade darker and add even more richness to the outfit. I’ve managed to persuade a couple of clients into wearing a small bandana scarf - you can tie it and leave it out or tuck it inside the neckline of the top you’re wearing - as they’ve styled it on the Ralph Lauren site.

The woven belt adds another bit of texture to the outfit, so it’s interesting and elegant, not shouty.

‘Deakin’ grey cord double breasted jacket - Oliver Spencer - £449
Dark brown wool and cotton drill trousers - Incotex at Slowear - £405
Purple melange ‘Lisle’ cotton t-shirt - Ralph Lauren Purple Label - £220
’Respect’ khaki cotton bandana - Soho Scarves - £19.60
Kangaroo leather plaited belt - R.M. Williams at Trunk Clothiers - £220
’Scott’ burgundy leather loafers - Mr P at Mr Porter - £275

“Sarah was incredible, I have a deep dislike of shopping, a less than perfect colour vision, a very limited range of brands I’m familiar with and would rather spend my time on friends/ family/ work than an expedition to find a new coat or style.

Sarah’s preparation, knowledge and reconnaissance before we met transformed the experience!

I’m left with a capsule wardrobe that fits, gives me loads of options and has introduced new colours, textures and brands into my wardrobe.

Sarah was brilliant at respecting my budget, giving constructive guidance on sizes and helping me avoid the “looks great in the store & never comes out of the wardrobe” purchases!

I really can’t recommend an afternoon shopping with her highly enough!”

— A satisfied and happy client!

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Did you like this post? You can check out last year’s Christmas outfit ideas too and other similar posts below: