Has the age of elegance passed? Are the evenings when we really dressed up over? Who said casual had become the norm? Of course, it is not about wearing a dinner jacket every day. But with the festive season approaching, would this not be the perfect opportunity to return to the days when bow ties and cufflinks were the essentials of every evening, and to feel like Gatsby, if only for one night?
Elegance for every occasion
If Humphrey Bogart is one of the icons of men's style, it is not without reason. Dinner jackets or double-breasted jackets, at that time men wore a suit even to stay at home. It was a far cry from Netflix & chill in joggers.
And yet, if there is one lesson in elegance we should all take from the famous actor, it is knowing how to remain understated when the occasion calls for it. Because being elegant is above all about attitude and charisma; there is no need to overdo it. Even in a simple white shirt with an open collar, Bogart had presence.
They are proof that a tie is not necessarily reserved for the office
So, if our festive evenings look set to be rather relaxed, we are not obliged to give in to the sweatshirt/trainers we willingly wear the rest of the time.
Because 24 or 31 December are also occasions to step out of your sartorial routine, you are entitled to treat yourself! A relaxed evening, yes, but that does not mean neglecting your look. So why not take inspiration from Bogart? Without overdoing it, simply wear a lovely shirt, whether white, colourful or patterned, even if you are in jeans.
Dress code required
Sean Connery and Roger Moore did not play James Bond for nothing. Embodiments of elegance, those who successively played 007 never hesitated to go for suit/tie/glass of champagne whenever the occasion arose.
Together, they are proof that a tie is not necessarily reserved for the office. It is very much an indulgence, and even a festive accessory! And the good news is that there is a choice of fabrics and colours. Classic in silk, patterned and playful, or relaxed in knitwear, whatever your style, you will find a tie to suit you.
And if you are still hesitating, remember that even the most rebellious of them all did not resist the call of formalwear. James Dean, an aficionado of the white T-shirt and leather biker jacket, would put on his finest suit and his finest tie in the evening, going even further by adding a buttonhole or a silk pocket square to his jacket. Because yes, refinement and elegance are not necessarily synonymous with stiff, rigid style.
Dinner jacket or no dinner jacket
Who has never wanted to experience an evening straight out of a Fitzgerald novel? Dinner jackets for men, long dresses for women. And an atmosphere entirely out of time. And it is true that when you see Robert Redford or Cary Grant, a glass of champagne in hand, you think that whatever happens, regardless of passing fashions and trends, we will always return to the timeless. Because ultimately, elegance is ageless.
And even if you do not own a proper dinner jacket, nothing stops you from accessorising your shirt with a bow tie and handsome cufflinks, to capture the retro atmosphere enjoyed by the greatest gentlemen. With a jacket or a suit, you will look every bit as stylish as Redford or Grant.
Whatever the case, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and play with the accessories at your disposal - who said men did not have as many accessories as women? An open shirt can be dressed up with cufflinks, a bow tie paired with a silk pocket square, and the tie can even end up on your forehead! Every combination is possible, and they will take you back to a time when men dressed more elegantly. And who knows, perhaps your resolution for 2020 will be to make it the new norm?
