The Holiday Party Edit: What to Wear to Every Invitation

For a holiday party, wear a velvet or dark dinner jacket, a crisp shirt, a silk tie or bow tie and polished shoes. Velvet and dinner jackets, dress shirts and ties, polished shoes and small finishing pieces cover the office party, the dinner and the family gathering. Match the formality to the invitation, and when in doubt dress one notch up.

Velvet and dinner jackets from Etro, Emporio Armani and Diesel bring a little shine to the room without a full tuxedo. Deep green, navy and black read best in candlelight. Wear one with dark trousers and a plain white shirt.

Dress shirts and silk ties from Eton, Ferragamo and Robert Graham keep the look sharp. A white or pale blue shirt works with every jacket. A narrow dark tie suits a modern cut, and a velvet bow tie is the festive option.

Polished loafers and oxfords from Gucci, Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta are the right shoe for an evening. Cufflinks and pocket squares from Ted Baker, Ferragamo and David Yurman add the last detail. Keep metals consistent between watch, cufflinks and belt buckle.

Novelty ties and sequin jackets look funny for an hour and embarrassing in photographs. We would also skip sneakers at any event with a seated dinner.

Holiday parties run late and warm up fast, so plan for a coat check and a crowded room. Choose a jacket that looks good without a tie, keep a handkerchief handy and wear shoes you have already walked in. Comfort over six hours is part of looking at ease.

If you take one thing away: a dark velvet jacket and a white shirt will suit every party on the calendar.