Gone are the days of elegance? Gone are the days of formal wear? Who says casual is the norm? Sure, you don't have to wear a tuxedo every day. But with the holidays coming up, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to go back to the days when bow ties and cufflinks were the must-haves for any party, and feel like a Gatsby for at least one night?
Elegance in all circumstances
If Humphrey Bogart is one of the icons of masculine style, it's not for nothing. Tuxedo or double-breasted jackets, at that time men wore a suit even to stay at home. We were a long way from Netflix & chill in jogging pants.
And yet, if there is one lesson in elegance that we should all learn from the famous actor, it is that of knowing how to remain sober when necessary. Because being elegant is above all synonymous with attitude and charisma, no need to overdo it. Even in a simple white shirt with an open collar, Bogart had style.
They are proof that the tie is not necessarily reserved for the office.
So, if our New Year's Eves are looking rather relaxed, we don't have to give in to the sweatshirt/sneakers that we happily wear the rest of the time.
Because December 24 or 31 are also occasions to get out of your clothing routine, we have the right to treat ourselves! A casual evening, yes, but that doesn't prevent us from paying attention to our look. So why not take inspiration from Bogart? Without overdoing it, we can simply wear a pretty shirt, whether it's white, colored or patterned, even if you're wearing jeans.
Proper attire required
Sean Connery and Roger Moore didn't play James Bond for nothing. The epitome of elegance, those who successively played the role of 007 didn't hesitate to wear a suit, tie and glass of champagne whenever the occasion arose.
Together, they are proof that ties are not necessarily reserved for the office. They are indeed a coquetry and even a party accessory! And the good news is that you have a choice of materials and colors. Rather classic in silk, fancy with a pattern or casual in knit, whatever your style, you will find a tie to fit your neck.
And if you're still hesitant, remember that even the most rebellious of them all didn't give in to the call of formality. James Dean, who was a fan of the white T-shirt and the leather perfecto, would put on his best suit and tie in the evening, and would even go further by adding a boutonniere or a silk pocket square to his jacket. Because yes, refinement and elegance are not necessarily synonymous with a stiff and rigid style.
Smoking or no smoking
Who has never wanted to experience an evening straight out of a Fitzgerald novel? Tuxedo for men, long dress for women. And a totally timeless atmosphere. And it's true that when we see Robert Redford or Cary Grant, a glass of champagne in hand, we tell ourselves that whatever happens, no matter the fashion and trends that pass, we will always come back to the timeless. Because ultimately, elegance has no age.
And even if you don't have a real tuxedo, there's nothing stopping you from accessorizing your shirt with a bow tie and some nice cufflinks on your wrists, to feel the retro vibe that the greatest gentlemen lived. With a jacket or a suit, you'll look just as good as Redford or Grant.
In any case, the most important thing is to have fun and play with the accessories you have - who said that men don't have as many accessories as women? The open shirt can be enhanced with cufflinks, a bow tie accompanied by a silk pocket square, and the tie can even end up on your forehead! All combinations are possible, and they will take you back to the time when men dressed more elegantly. And who knows, maybe your resolution for 2020 will be to make this the new norm?