It?s that most wonderful time of year once again, where much time is spent with your family and friends celebrating the past year together.

And while many of us love the holiday season, there?s no doubt that it?s also a stressful time. Between buying gifts, going to parties and get togethers and everything in between, the last thing any guy wants to worry about is what to wear to the events they?ll be attending. Worse yet, the thought of braving packed malls to find new clothes for these events is hardly appealing and really? what am I supposed to even wear? There?s a better and easier way!

How the average mall feels in December ...

While there?s no perfect outfit out there, there are some tips and tricks for preparing you for the many obligations you may attend in the coming weeks.

The Office Holiday Party

Is there anything more uncomfortable than the office holiday party? Your bosses and co-workers are all there. You want to look great but likely don?t want to look like you worked the hardest to get ready. This is when everyone is supposed to see what you choose to wear for special occasions, and that?s a lot of pressure! So how do you look effortlessly stylish? Let?s go through the basics:

Party at Work

If your holiday party is at the office, regardless of time of day, congratulations - you should have it the easiest. You can introduce one new article of clothing that introduces a fun element. This item can be a new colour dress shirt or a new sweater that dresses up your otherwise ?classic you? outfit. The outfit doesn?t need to have ?festive colours? if that?s not your thing.

Cool Restaurant

If your company booked a cool but smaller venue, you need to first do a little research on the place. Map the menu back to what you should wear. If need to order food from the counter, you can apply the same rules as a party at work. Maybe introduce jeans as a casual ?fun? pant and pair it with sneakers or Chelsea boots. You can dress up with a jacket but it?s not necessary.

If you see very pricey appetizers on the menu, you?ve got to put in a little more work. Although there are no one-size-fits-all rules, most well-dress men have discovered a secret that almost always works. The secret is a tailored sports jacket; it is for grown men what a cape is to a superhero because it says ?action?. Once you find the jacket cut for your body type, you should pair it back to what you like. For some guys, it?s jeans and a t-shirt. For others, it?s a pair of patterned dress pants and a turtleneck. Finding the right ones that fit your lifestyle and body type is a job Gotengo can help with. Choose to pair back to a pair of funky dress shoes or boots.

Check out the menu pricing for hints on how to dress for a restaurant

Hall

If your company splurged and booked a hall and the invitation says ?Black Tie Attire?, this means formal and you?re expected to wear a tuxedo or an evening appropriate suit. Your tailored look will not be over-the-top, but exactly what was called for. Wear this with a sleek black shoe or invest in a tuxedo shoe.

A traditional tux, like this one from Brooks Brothers, work perfectly for events requiring "black tie attire."

The Family Gathering

Now here?s a tricky one but have no fear because this can be very simple if you follow a few quick steps. If you have a history of just average outfits, it?s time to step up and introduce a new casual chic look with little effort. Choose a classic and fitted sweater and pair it back to stretch tailored jeans. You can start with one navy sweater and a pair of black jeans. As you have more and more events to attend, you can introduce a charcoal sweater, black patterned sweater, and mid grey sweater, all to be paired back to the black jeans. Introduce a white t-shirt to create a layered look and more versatility. Make sure you have great dress socks, introducing fun patterns and prints if you want to add attention and a conversation piece. These outfits will always ensure you are well-dressed and comfortable throughout the day. Your stretch jeans will ensure you can comfortably eat all that food!

Tiger of Sweden offers a great selection of classic and comfortable sweaters.

The New Year?s Eve Party

So you made it through the office holiday party, and looked great at the family get together. Now comes the toughest of all? New Year?s Eve. The final boss. There?s a cheat code and with it, it?s pretty easy. First, where are you going? If you are heading to a house party, there?s no reason your new ?family gathering outfit? can?t be the natural go-to here. If you are opting for a fancier look, try a funky blazer and 3-2-1 you?ve got yourself a kiss at midnight.

Reiss offers a variety of blazers that can suit your NYE needs.

If you?ve decided to purchase a ticket to attend a NYE party, you?ve got a couple weeks to decide if you need to do any shopping. Unfortunately, these are the weeks where you and the concept of ?personal space? will not meet you at the stores. Holiday shoppers are flocking out for all sorts of things for the season. Luckily, you can do a lot of shopping from the comfort of your home. With your new stretch jeans and white t-shirt, here is the one piece you can add to to complete your shopping.

If you are after the John Wick classic look, find a black velvet blazer. Velvet is made of cotton so try to find ones that are 100% cotton for a better-quality piece that breathes. You will have a conversation piece that adds shape and structure to your otherwise solid casual pieces.

Scotch & Soda offers a cool looking velvet jacket.

If you are after a more rock star look, find a great black leather jacket in a bomber or perfecto style. A shorter leather jacket can be worn indoors and adds points for guys that want a less formal but special outfit. Channel your inner Marlon Brando or Tyler Durden.

A black leather jacket always looks cool.

If you are going for a James Bond look, it might be time to get yourself a great dinner jacket. Find materials like silks to give off the most luxurious look and the bonus is that the jacket will be extra breathable in a crowded space. As strangers brush up on you, it won?t be long before the perfect person stops and comments on how soft the silk will feel. Avoid fabrics like polyester if you want to keep your cool, literally! Dinner jackets can be done in lots of colours and fabrics. If there is a contrasting satin lapel, make sure it?s black. You can always match a black tuxedo pants or your black jeans.

So whether you are adding a few key pieces to your closet or gutting and starting from scratch, begin from your couch this season and decide what looks you like the most. Figure out what elements of these looks you already own and build from there. There?s no reason to stress or spend countless hours wandering through stores. Instead, spend a little time on Gotengo to learn what styles match you and take it from there!

No matter where you end up, happy holidays from Gotengo!