Men shouldn’t sparkle

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are glittering affairs, but men should leave their sparkle for the Christmas tree decorations rather than considering it their festive wardrobe. There’s something unsettling about a man in a jewel-encrusted shirt and tie (unless you attended Elton John’s wedding) and men should carefully consider what ‘sparkly dress’ means.

According to OM’s fashion director Jo Adams, the first rule of thumb is to make an effort to look well groomed. Before the office party, while the girls are in the loos making themselves beautiful, the boys are in the pub – wearing the clothes they’ve been in all day. To stand out, change out of your work clothes.

The secret is finding one item that sets off your look. Cashmere is always a winner: one male fashion editor wore a pastel cashmere jumper to a party, and every girl wanted to stroke his arm and snuggle into his sweater – a lovely gift for any man.

Experiment with texture, or add a little colour or a detail. A black shirt is a safe option, and looks great when crisply ironed and teamed with smart trousers (jeans should never make an appearance at the Christmas party). But be more adventurous with accessories. Shoes maketh the man, so if you don’t feel confident wearing a mix of colours, go for a simple combination: black shirt, trousers and tie, with white shoes – Topshop has a great pair embossed with a flower, at £50. A knitted tie from Margaret Howell or sterling-silver cufflinks can be the perfect finishing touch.

If you’re not into accessories, look for a shirt with a twist – a pin-tuck front, shaped collar or button detail. And if Christmas shopping has left your wallet a little light, there’s always a second-hand dinner jacket with a satin collar to sweep the girls off their feet. No rhinestones, mind. Leave that to the Texan country music singers.