Festive chic means dressing for a chic dinner, with one festive accent. It is more formal than smart casual, but less strict than cocktail or black tie. Women can choose an elegant blouse with a skirt or smart trousers, finished with shine or a special cut. Men are well dressed in smart trousers and a shirt or fine-knit polo. A blazer or festive detail can be added. Below you will find how to strike that balance, with concrete combinations.
Where festive chic sits on the dress code ladder
Dress codes are really a scale from relaxed to formal. Festive chic sits roughly in the middle, with a clear nod to the holidays. It helps to see it next to other codes:
| Dress code | What it means | Difference from festive chic |
|---|---|---|
| Smart casual | Polished, but relaxed | Festive chic is smarter and more evening-oriented |
| Festive chic | Chic dinner with a festive accent | Room for shine, texture and personal details |
| Cocktail | Short dress or suit, evening wear | Cocktail is more formal and more often with a blazer or dress |
| Black tie | Tuxedo and evening gown | Much stricter, with fixed rules |
Festive means it may be a little more celebratory. Chic keeps the outfit polished and calm.
The rule of thumb: one festive element
Choose a polished base and add one festive element. That element can be a material (a satin look, merino wool with a soft sheen), a special cut (a cape, a lavalliere collar), a colour (a deep black with white contrast) or a piece of jewellery. With several eye-catching elements, the outfit quickly becomes too busy.
Festive chic for women
A dress is allowed, but certainly not necessary. A skirt or trousers with a strong top is often more elegant and more comfortable during a long evening.
- With a special cut. An elegant cape T-shirt in black gives movement and a sculptural line around the shoulders. Combine it with an elegant knee-length skirt in black for a sleek, all-black look. The festive element lies in the cut here, so keep jewellery small.
- With shine. A lavalliere blouse with a satin look in pearl cream catches the light of candles and Christmas lights in a soft way. Wear it with the same black skirt or with dark pleated trousers. Pearl cream and black together is classic and festive at once.
- With an accent. A simple black outfit with one striking piece of jewellery, such as large gold earrings or a brooch, and a red lip. Minimal in clothing, festive in detail.
Festive chic for men
For men, festive chic is mostly about fabric, fit and smart shoes. A blazer is lovely, but not required if the rest of the outfit is strong enough.
- The classic route: a cotton shirt with an Italian collar in white, without a tie and with the top button open, on dark trousers. The Italian collar stays in shape even without a tie. A dark blazer finishes the look.
- The modern route: an open merino wool polo in black with black pleated trousers with a brushed inside. All black in two different textures looks festive without standing out in the wrong way. The brushed inside keeps you warm when you walk between venues.
- The festive detail: a velvet blazer, a silk pocket square or a striking watch. Choose one.
Shoes and accessories
Festive chic calls for smart shoes. For women, pumps, slingbacks or smart ankle boots are suitable, preferably with a heel you can stand in all evening. For men, polished leather lace-ups or loafers. Sneakers do not suit this dress code, not even white leather ones. Choose a small bag or clutch and leave large totes at home.
Common mistakes
- Too casual: jeans with a glitter top. The top is festive, but the base is not chic enough.
- Too much: sequins, a Christmas print and large jewellery all at once. Choose one accent.
- Forgetting that you sit for a long time: a tight dress that pinches after dinner. Choose a waistband or cut that gives.
- Dressing up in a theme: reindeer antlers or Christmas sweaters do not belong with festive chic, unless the host explicitly asks for them.
Festive chic by day or at the office
Festive chic also works in the daytime. Choose less shine and more texture. Go for texture instead of shine: fine knitwear, a blouse with a beautiful collar or pleated trousers. Save the satin look and the statement jewellery for after six. For men, a shirt with a knitted polo or cardigan works better by day than an all-black look, which quickly looks too heavy in daylight.
An outfit you will wear more than once
Festive chic often returns in December at drinks, dinners and family gatherings. It pays to choose a base you can wear in different ways. A black skirt or trousers, one blouse with shine and one top with a special cut already give four different looks together. For men the same applies with dark trousers, a white shirt and a merino polo. That way you can use the same base for several occasions.
Still not sure?
Look at the location and the time. A dinner in a restaurant at eight in the evening calls for more than a lunch at home. And feel free to ask the host: nobody finds that strange, and it saves you from doubting all evening.
Looking for inspiration for festive evenings? Take a look at the Celebration collection for women, the Dinner & Dates collection for men and our Signature Occasions for women and Signature Occasions for men.
Shop the look
Isadora: cape T-shirt, black
Rosa: knee-length skirt, black
Rosamund: lavalliere blouse, pearl cream
Hamilton: shirt with Italian collar, white
Trenton: open merino wool polo, black
Frederick: pleated trousers, black
Frequently asked questions
Is festive chic the same as cocktail?
No. Festive chic is slightly less formal than cocktail. You do not necessarily need a dress or blazer, as long as your outfit is polished and has one festive element.
Can women wear trousers for festive chic?
Yes. Smart trousers with a satin-look blouse or a top with a special cut suit this dress code perfectly.
Do men have to wear a blazer for festive chic?
Not necessarily. A well-fitting shirt or an open merino wool polo with smart trousers and leather shoes is usually enough. A blazer does make it slightly more formal.
