New Years Style Guide

Whether you’re ringing in the New Year with a black tie wedding, fancy dinner party or dress-casual cocktail affair, we’ve got you covered for every event, every dress code!

Black Tie Formal

New Year’s weddings tend toward the formal side and are frequently black tie or black tie optional. Here you’ve got a couple options to keep it classic or mix it up for a bit of fun (while coloring within the black tie lines!).

The black tux is a go-to in either shawl or peak lapel. Shawl lapel is a more contemporary favorite, giving you the ability to easily switch between necktie and bow tie looks.

Black shawl lapel tuxedo, photo by Alisha Tova Photography

Alternately, the black velvet tux jacket is a fantastic New Years option and is sure to make you one of the most fashion-forward in the ballroom. Like the standard black tux jacket, the velvet jacket can be done in either peak or shawl lapel. Black-on-black is ideal for your satin detailing (lapels, pockets and buttons), and the velvet jacket is typically worn with a black wool trouser.

The Fancy Dinner Party

For the upscale (but not quite black tie) dinner affair, try placing the black tux jacket aside in favor of the navy tux jacket. A fantastic option is to contrast your navy wool jacket with black satin lapels - a formal, yet distinctly cool look that can be matched with either navy or black pants.

The classic ivory dinner jacket is another go-to option, with either matching ivory or contrasting black satin lapels. Sleek and sophisticated, the dinner party was the exact purpose for which this timeless jacket was created.

The Cool, Casual Cocktail Party

When your New Years plans are more on the casual end of the dress spectrum, but you still want to look your absolute best for the occasion, layering is an incredibly solid option. For a more collegiate cocktail look, try pairing a Oxford style dress shirt with terry cotton sweatshirt, topping off the ensemble with a tweed wool blazer or cotton chore coat.