Every now and then I like to focus on a particular article of clothing which has somehow made an impact with me that week. So far I’ve discussed a few essential pieces which are, in my mind, staples for every man’s wardrobe. I’ve looked at the iconic leather jacket, the essential polo shirt and a variety of winter coats, but this week it’s the shirt which has grabbed my attention. It could be because in the lead up to Christmas we’re all thinking about what we’re wearing to the works do, the family gathering and the friends reunion….so many events with plenty of opportunity for style. All of those occasions required different approaches when it comes down to your ensemble, from dressed down but presentable to looking your utmost best in something really rather dapper. The shirt is one of the key staples that play apart in every man’s wardrobe (whatever your style), I take a guess and say that most of us own at least one white shirt and one check – if you don’t, you really should think about investing in them. The shirt is incredibly versatile, available in so many different fits, styles, fabrics and patterns, the choices are endless. This is both a blessing and a massive indecisive pain-in-the-arse, trying to choose between 5 plain white shirts may in theory seem an easy choice but it always ends up being a time-consuming decision. So, this week we’ve put together 4 key looks which will fit into your festive plans quite nicely, each representing a different area on the style spectrum.
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DRESSED DOWN BUT STILL PRESENTABLE
The occasion: A good old night out with friends/ colleagues
Where: A spot of live music, then a few bars and possibly finishing at a club
Style: A balance of smart casual where fashion awareness is key
What to wear: It’s got to be a graphic printed shirt. Paul Smith has a talent for producing exactly what we need for such an occasion, his blend of quirky graphic prints are always right on the mark. The leather jacket is always a good call when it comes to an occasion that requires you to show your awareness of fashion without appearing pretentious.
(Paul Smith Jeans, Belstaff, True Religion, Dr Martens, Polo Ralph Lauren)
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A SWANKY FORMAL AFFAIR
The occasion: A formal Christmas party – invite only
Where: A swanky hotel
Style: Formal, sartorial and everything in between. Look to the GQ party pages for inspiration.
What to wear: A very well-fitted suit with all the trimmings. I’d personally avoid black and go for something a little softer like navy or grey, even burgundy if you want something more seasonal. A check shirt feels a bit more festive (my association with Christmas shortbread and tartan) but I’d keep the tie a solid colour that features within the look. A traditional pair of Grensons will finish this off.
(Polo Ralph Lauren, Tiger of Sweden, Peckham Rye, Grenson, Paul Smith)
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THE SIT DOWN DINNER
The occasion: The traditional Christmas meal
Where: A nice restaurant that has been highly rated
Style: Fairly smart but dark jeans are acceptable
What to wear: The dinner jacket is best down with a plain white shirt. It’s a timeless classic that you can’t go wrong with. Instead of wearing a suit or a matching set, swap out the trousers for a pair of dark denim jeans and a pair of derbys.
(Dsquared, Paul Smith PS, Stone Island, Hudson)
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HOSTING A CASUAL EVENING
The occasion: The annual friends reunion
Where: At your place
Style: Casual but festive
What to wear: At this time of year it would be rude not to wear a chunky cable knit, so layer a finely patterned shirt underneath for a relaxed but seasonal look.
(Oliver Spencer, Paul Smith Jeans, Nudie Jeans, Paul Smith Accessories)
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