A. Just what everyone needs to top off the most chaotic time of year is an invitation with specific fashion plate requests- especially from your boss. ˜Tis the season to be overwhelmed!

Holiday dress for men is luckily not as fancy as it is for women. A guy can get away with sprucing up enough to look festive, but not to the point of looking overly foppish. When a holiday party invitation asks for œholiday attire� or œfestive dress� it really means to simply not look dour and have fun with fashion and color. For the most part, you can dress in pretty much what you feel is appropriate for a dinner party and not be expected to suddenly drench yourself in a garland of bells or wear a red velvet suit. But you should look snappy.

A lean, one-button velvet blazer worn with great fitting jeans has that simple chic sophistication in the style of Jude Law. Think about layering a T-shirt with a thin V-neck or a bold dress shirt without the tie. The understated combination of a rich fabric like velvet worn with something casual like a pair of jean gives the look a wonderful feeling of hip, dressed-down elegance that's perfect for a creative business environment or house party. If the climate is too warm for velvet, try wearing a lightweight polished wool blazer instead, or just the spiffier shirt.

If you're in a more conservative sector, try the new slim, two-button suit silhouette which really spotlights a gorgeous colored shirt and tie. You can wear your gray suit, but go the extra mile when choosing a shirt color. Instead of an ordinary pale blue, wear vivid lavender with a rich eggplant tie. Or, wear a deep jade French cuff shirt worn a bit open without a tie for a Hollywood insider look. Don't forget a pair of goldtone aviators for your grand entrance!

When the invite is definitely formal, a fantastic-fitting tuxedo is your best option for looking classy and elegant. Keep to a French cuff shirt and stay clear away from those goofy vests with sports logos or teddy bears in top hats for an eternally elegant formal holiday look.

--December 8, 2005