Work Christmas Party Outfits for Men: Sharp Looks, Festive Details
For a work Christmas party, choose a well-fitting shirt, trousers and shoes that suit the venue. Add a jacket and tie for a dressier dinner, or wear an open collar for a relaxed warm-weather lunch. One festive detail is plenty. Black tie still calls for a tuxedo and black bow tie.
Good company. Good details.
Festive, with your good taste intact.
The work party gives your everyday wardrobe a little room to play. A good shirt does the groundwork; your tie or cufflinks can bring the Christmas spirit.
Start with the invitation, then the weather and venue. An outdoor lunch and a black-tie dinner ask for different things—even when both are called the Christmas party.
Find your party lookWhat should men wear to a work Christmas party?
A shirt and tailored trousers are a useful starting point. The invitation tells you how far to dress them up: an open collar for a relaxed team lunch, a jacket and sharp neckwear for a smarter evening, or formal eveningwear when the dress code says black tie.
Think about who will be there as well as where you are going. For a client dinner, a burgundy tie can do the festive work quietly. At an explicitly festive team party, a Christmas-tree pattern has its moment. Choose the detail that suits your party.
| Invitation or setting | Shirt and tailoring | Tie and finishing details |
|---|---|---|
| Casual team lunch | Open-collar shirt with neat trousers; dark clean jeans can work when the event is explicitly casual. | No tie needed. Keep shoes tidy and choose a shirt with a little colour. |
| Smart casual | A well-fitting shirt and tailored trousers; add a jacket if the venue is dressier. | An open collar or knitted tie. One quiet accessory is enough. |
| Cocktail or dressy dinner | A suit or a sharp jacket-and-trouser combination with a dress shirt. | A tie is the easy polished choice. Add a pocket square that complements it. |
| Festive attire | Keep the event’s underlying level of formality. | Add a seasonal colour or one Christmas-themed accessory. |
| Black tie | A tuxedo and formal white shirt. | Bond Black - Bow Tie (Untied) for a self-tied finish, or Bond Black - Bow Tie pre-tied. Keep the other details restrained. |
| Black tie optional | A tuxedo, or a dark suit with a white shirt. | Bond Black - Bow Tie (Untied) with the tuxedo; a restrained necktie with the suit. |
Business casual can allow an optional tie; “festive” adds a seasonal touch rather than cancelling the dress code. For a closer look at the middle ground, read Are Ties Required for Cocktail Attire?
The black bow-tie options
What is festive attire for men?
Festive attire means dressing to the occasion and adding a seasonal touch. It might be burgundy neckwear, tartan, a patterned pocket square or a Christmas tie. Choose how playful to go from the venue and the people joining you.
Start at the quiet end for a client dinner. Move up the ladder for a team party that welcomes Christmas motifs. One standout piece keeps the outfit clear.
| Level | Best for | OTAA detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Seasonal colour | Clients, senior colleagues and a restrained office | Aisling Burgundy Knitted Tie or Navy Blue with Green Polka Dots Necktie |
| 2. Texture or tartan | Smart-casual dinners and a more expressive office | A knitted tie, or the Red Scottish Plaid Cotton Bow Tie with a plain shirt |
| 3. Festive pocket square | A jacket with an open collar or a plain tie | Christmas Tree Pocket Square or Santa Claus Pixel Christmas Pocket Square |
| 4. Christmas tie | A team party that welcomes a playful motif | Christmas Tree Necktie or Santa Claus Pixel Christmas Necktie |
Do you need a tie at the work Christmas party?
A necktie is the easy polished choice for a dressier dinner or cocktail invitation. An open collar works for a relaxed business-casual lunch. Keep the Santa pattern for a party that welcomes a playful detail.
The Christmas Tree and Santa Claus Pixel neckties are each 8.5 cm wide; the Aisling knitted tie is approximately 6.3 cm wide. Choose the width that balances your jacket’s lapels.
Choose your festive detail
Seasonal colour
Navy Blue with Green Polka Dots Necktie
Small green dots on navy; a quiet festive nod without a Christmas motif.
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The tartan option
Red Scottish Plaid Cotton Bow Tie
Pre-tied cotton bow tie with an adjustable strap and red plaid pattern.
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The playful tie
Santa Claus Pixel Christmas Necktie
Pixel Santa figures on navy. Pair with a plain shirt and quiet tailoring.
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Prefer a narrower festive tie? Choose the Christmas Tree Skinny Tie or Santa Claus Pixel Christmas Skinny Tie. A plain shirt makes either pattern easy to wear. If tartan is not available, the navy-and-green dotted tie keeps the seasonal colour.
For more everyday options, explore knitted ties and The Best Ties to Wear to Work. Our tie tutorial gets the knot sorted.
Which of these five work-party looks suits your night?
Choose the occasion first, then the shirt and the detail that gives it personality. These combinations work with tailoring you already own, so the new pieces can earn their place after December.
Choose your shirt size, then add the OTAA pieces individually or as a look. Suits, trousers and shoes are not included. View your bag
When should you order? For Christmas gifts, our early-order recommendation is to order by 1 December. For an earlier party, allow at least two weeks to try everything on. Delivery services and estimates vary by destination. Check OTAA Shipping & Delivery for current services and Christmas cut-offs when announced. The 1 December date is a planning recommendation, not an official delivery deadline. No Christmas cut-offs were published on the shipping page at this check. Delivery information checked 7 October 2026.
Look 01 / warm-weather lunch
Crimson stripes, open collar.
For a relaxed outdoor lunch, start with the Redford Crimson Stripe Non-Iron Poplin Shirt. The red-and-white stripes bring the seasonal colour; an open collar keeps the mood easy.
Wear it tucked into tan or navy trousers with clean loafers. The Classic Fit cotton poplin shirt has button cuffs. Add Christmas Islands Crab Socks for a flash of red beneath the trouser hem; the stripes and socks bring the personality, so leave the novelty tie at home.
Your shirt is the outfit once the jacket comes off. Choose one you are happy to wear on its own, with enough room through the shoulders to sit and move comfortably.
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The warm-weather shirt
Redford Crimson Stripe Non-Iron Poplin Shirt
Classic Fit cotton poplin with crimson stripes and button cuffs.
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The discreet detail
Turquoise and red crab-patterned socks. Choose your pack and check the size guide.
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A little Christmas, properly dressed.
Look 02 / festive office dinner · white shirt + Christmas Tree Necktie + navy or charcoal tailoring
Give one detail the spotlight. The Christmas Tree Necktie puts small green trees on a navy background, while the Carruthers White Lucious Non-Iron Shirt gives the pattern a clean white setting.
Add your navy or charcoal suit and tidy dress shoes. Keep the pocket square plain, or leave it out. The tie supplies the Christmas spirit without turning the whole outfit into a costume.
The Carruthers is Slim Fit cotton dobby with button cuffs. The Christmas Tree Necktie is 8.5 cm wide at its widest point: a useful standard-width option with a jacket.
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The white anchor
Carruthers White Lucious Non-Iron Shirt
Slim Fit white cotton dobby with button cuffs.
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Look 03 / client dinner
Burgundy, without the novelty.
When clients or senior colleagues are joining you, use seasonal colour and texture. The Aisling Burgundy Knitted Tie brings a deep burgundy tone and a pointed knitted finish.
Pair it with the Riskin Light Blue Lucious Non-Iron Shirt and your navy jacket or suit. The light-blue shirt gives the burgundy a clear contrast, and its Slim Fit shape keeps the combination sharp.
The Admiral Navy Blue Satin Pocket Square finishes the jacket quietly. Use a small fold and let the tie lead. This is an easy office holiday party outfit to wear again at the next dinner.
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The light-blue shirt
Riskin Light Blue Lucious Non-Iron Shirt
Slim Fit cotton dobby with button cuffs.
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The quiet finish
Admiral Navy Blue Satin Pocket Square
Plain navy satin pocket square, measuring 30 × 30 cm.
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Look 04 / festive in the pocket
Let the pocket do the talking.
A pocket square is the easiest festive switch when you would rather skip a novelty tie. Wear the Marlowe Ivory Stripe Non-Iron Poplin Shirt with charcoal trousers and a plain jacket, then add the Christmas Tree Pocket Square.
Marlowe’s fine ivory-and-black stripes keep the shirt interesting on its own. An open collar suits a relaxed smart-casual gathering; for a dressier dinner, add your plain navy tie.
Keep the rest simple. One Christmas motif in the pocket is enough. The square measures 30 × 30 cm, so start with a small fold and adjust it to your jacket pocket.
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The quiet stripe
Marlowe Ivory Stripe Non-Iron Poplin Shirt
Classic Fit cotton poplin with fine ivory-and-black stripes and button cuffs.
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Look 05 / dressier dinner
Festive cuffs, sharp stripes.
The Walters White Twill French Cuff Shirt gives the Christmas Tree Cufflinks their proper place. Its French cuffs fold back and fasten with cufflinks; a button-cuff shirt uses its buttons instead.
Add the Red and Navy Blue Striped Tie and your navy suit. The tie brings familiar red-and-navy stripes, while the tree-shaped cufflinks supply the single Christmas motif.
Keep the pocket square and lapel plain, or leave them out. The striped tie and tree-shaped cuffs have the detail covered. For a quieter finish, swap in Mr Warhol Gold Cufflinks.
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The French-cuff shirt
Walters White Twill French Cuff Shirt
Slim Fit white cotton twill with French cuffs for cufflinks.
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What should you wear to a work Christmas party in warm weather?
For a summer Christmas party or any warm-weather office event, start with the shirt you will wear once the jacket comes off. A comfortable cotton poplin option such as Redford Crimson Stripe Non-Iron Poplin Shirt or Marlowe Ivory Stripe Non-Iron Poplin Shirt is a useful starting point. Choose a fit with room to sit and move, and add only the layers the occasion needs.
Which layers fit your weather and venue?
Check the local forecast and whether the party is indoors or outdoors. Choose the outfit for the event, then add layers for the journey. Use this guide wherever you are celebrating.
| Weather and setting | Shirt and trousers | Neckwear and layers |
|---|---|---|
| Hot outdoor lunch | A comfortable cotton shirt with neat, lightweight trousers. | An open collar for a casual invitation; add festive socks or one pocket detail. |
| Warm rooftop or garden party | A shirt that looks finished on its own, with tailored trousers. | Add a tie and jacket for cocktail attire; choose layers you can remove as the evening warms up. |
| Air-conditioned evening dinner | A white or light-blue dress shirt with a suit or tailored jacket. | Burgundy neckwear or a restrained festive square; keep the jacket handy. |
| Cool outdoor evening | A well-fitting shirt and trousers with a jacket. | A knitted tie adds texture; bring an extra outer layer for time outdoors. |
| Cold journey, heated venue | Build a comfortable indoor outfit with a shirt and sharp tailoring. | Add a coat for travel and take it off inside. Keep the festive detail in the tie, square or cufflinks. |
How do you stay comfortable and still look sharp?
- Give yourself room: a collar that sits comfortably and shoulders that let you move are worth more than squeezing into a smaller size.
- Make the jacket optional where the dress code allows: take it off when you feel warm. A good shirt can carry the outfit.
- Keep a spare shirt for the office-to-party trip: a fresh change before an outdoor event is simple planning.
- Keep the finish tidy: button your cuffs and use cufflinks with French cuffs.
- Choose one festive detail: a pocket square can bring the season into an open-collar look.
A rooftop lunch, garden gathering or barbecue can be relaxed when the invitation says casual. A formal dinner still needs its formal outfit. For more warm-evening ideas, read What to Wear to a Summer Wedding.
What should you wear to an office holiday party in cold weather?
Whether the invitation says “work Christmas party” or “office holiday party”, start with the venue, your everyday office dress and how festive the invitation sounds. For a client-facing holiday dinner, the light-blue shirt and burgundy knitted tie in Look 3 are an easy starting point.
For cold weather, build the indoor outfit first. Add a coat for the journey, and leave room to take it off in a warm restaurant. A shirt, jacket and knitted tie can carry the evening without heavy layers at the table. If your holiday party falls on a warm day, use the warm-weather advice above.
What do you wear under a Christmas sweater?
A crisp collared shirt gives the sweater a tidy base. Keep the collar sitting neatly at the neckline, and try the two together before the day so the sleeves and collar feel comfortable. A white or light-blue shirt is the simplest option.
For a dressier office, a plain tie with its knot just visible can finish the look. The sweater already brings the novelty, so leave the Christmas tie and festive lapel detail for another outfit. If the theme is a competition, let the sweater do the talking.
Which accessories finish the outfit?
Pocket square: a plain square calms a Christmas tie; a festive square works with a plain tie or open collar. The Christmas Tree Pocket Square and Santa Claus Pixel Christmas Pocket Square put the motif in the pocket. Use our pocket-square tutorial for a simple fold.
Cufflinks: French cuffs and cufflinks belong together. The Christmas Tree Cufflinks work with the Walters White Twill French Cuff Shirt in Look 5. Button-cuff shirts fasten with their own buttons.
Socks: a small flash of personality is enough. The Christmas Islands Crab Socks put red crabs on turquoise, with black heels, toes and cuffs. Wear them with quiet tailoring when you want your festive detail mostly out of sight. Their red-crab motif brings a little Christmas Island to the office: millions of red crabs migrate from the forest to the coast to breed after the first wet-season rains, usually in October or November, sometimes later. Read more about the red-crab migration.
Tie bar: an optional practical finish. Choose a bar narrower than your tie and fasten both to the shirt. Browse OTAA tie bars if your outfit calls for one.
Lapel pin: let it be the accent when your shirt and neckwear are quiet. Explore OTAA lapel pins; with a Christmas tie already in place, keep the lapel simple.
Small details, plenty of personality
Festive in the pocket
Santa Claus Pixel Christmas Pocket Square
Pixel Santa figures on navy; 30 × 30 cm. Pair with plain neckwear.
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The discreet detail
Turquoise and red crab-patterned socks. Choose your pack and check the size guide.
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One festive piece is plenty. Let the supporting shirt, trousers, shoes and accessories do the quiet work.
More ways to finish it
How do you go straight from the office to the party?
Pack a small switch kit before you leave home: your party tie or pocket square, plus a spare shirt if the day will be hot. A white or light-blue shirt worn to work gives you an easy base for the evening.
- Pick the base: the Carruthers White Lucious Non-Iron Shirt for white, or the Riskin Light Blue Lucious Non-Iron Shirt for light blue.
- Pack the detail: the Aisling Burgundy Knitted Tie for a client dinner, or the Christmas Tree Pocket Square for a festive team party.
- Take two minutes before leaving: swap the tie or square, straighten the collar, retuck the shirt and check your shoes. Put the work accessory safely in your bag.
If clients or senior colleagues are joining you, stay with seasonal colour and a tidy finish. Save the full Santa motif for a party that welcomes it.
Work Christmas party outfit FAQs
What should men wear to a work Christmas party?
Start with a well-fitting shirt, trousers and tidy shoes. Add a jacket and tie for a dressier dinner, or use an open collar for a relaxed warm-weather lunch. One festive detail is enough.
What does festive attire mean?
Dress to the occasion’s underlying level of formality and add a seasonal touch: colour, texture or one Christmas motif. A burgundy tie is as valid a festive choice as a Christmas-patterned square.
Do I have to wear a tie?
An open collar works for a relaxed business-casual lunch. A necktie is the easy polished choice for a dressier dinner or cocktail party. The dress-code table above covers formal evening invitations.
Can I wear a novelty Christmas tie?
Yes, for a team party that welcomes a playful motif. Pair it with a plain shirt and quiet tailoring. For a client dinner, choose seasonal colour instead.
What should I wear in hot weather?
Choose a comfortable cotton shirt, trousers and removable layers. A good shirt should look finished without the jacket. Bring a spare shirt if you are going straight from a hot workday.
What do I wear to an office holiday party?
Use the office’s usual level of dress as your starting point and add one festive detail. A light-blue shirt, burgundy tie and navy jacket work for a restrained dinner; add a coat for a cold journey.
What do I wear under an ugly Christmas sweater?
A white or light-blue collared shirt is the easy base. Keep the collar tidy at the neckline. Add a plain tie only if you want a dressier finish; the sweater already provides the novelty.
Can I wear jeans or shorts?
Clean dark jeans can work at a clearly casual gathering. Shorts belong at an explicitly casual outdoor event where that level of dress fits. For cocktail or a dressier dinner, choose tailored trousers.
Can I wear all black?
Yes. Keep the shirt and trousers well fitted and add one festive accent, such as a seasonal-colour tie or patterned pocket square. The combination is particularly easy for an evening party.
Can Christmas cufflinks go with any shirt?
No. They need cufflink openings, such as French cuffs. Use the Walters White Twill French Cuff Shirt in Look 5; a standard button-cuff shirt uses its buttons.
Should my pocket square match my tie?
Coordinate the colours without repeating the whole pattern. Use a plain square with a Christmas tie, or let a festive square be the accent beside plain neckwear.
What should I avoid?
Untidy clothes, an outfit that misses the invitation’s level of dress and several competing Christmas motifs. A good fit and one standout detail keep the look sharp.
Bring the detail. Enjoy the party.
A good shirt, sharp tailoring and one festive touch make a useful formula. Choose the version that suits your night, then let the details do their work.
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