If you’re wondering what a man should wear to a Christmas party, start with the dress code and build around one festive focal point. A Christmas dress shirt gives you holiday color and personality without losing the clean, tailored look of a real dress shirt. For 2026, subtle accents work best for office and formal events, while bolder red-and-green, snowflake or candy-cane details fit casual parties, family dinners and holiday photos.
Start with the invitation. For a casual Christmas party, wear a festive button-up with dark jeans or chinos. For an office or cocktail event, choose tailored trousers, polished shoes and a jacket or suit as the dress code requires. Black tie calls for a tuxedo and formal evening shirt. Keep the rest of the outfit simple when your shirt has a bold holiday pattern.
If you are ready to shop, browse the full men’s Christmas dress shirts collection. This guide is designed to help you choose the right fit, color, pattern and outfit before you buy.
7 Men’s Christmas Shirt & Outfit Picks
These are seven occasion-based picks from our own Anton Alexander Christmas collection, chosen to help you compare shirt color, accent pattern and fabric. Start with your invitation, then choose the look that fits your event.
How to choose: For a work party, start with a dark solid body and controlled accents. For family photos, coordinate one seasonal color. For a themed casual party, stripes and candy-cane details can take center stage. Check the fabric before choosing between cotton and performance polyester.
1. Office Christmas party
Why choose it: Black cotton gives you a restrained base, while gold snowflake accents add a festive detail at the collar and cuffs. Choose this when you want a Christmas shirt that works with tailored separates.
Wear it with: Charcoal trousers, a plain navy blazer and black leather shoes.
Styling tip and tradeoff: For a conservative daytime office event, keep the patterned cuffs unturned and the collar accents discreet. If the invitation says black tie, choose a formal evening shirt instead.
2. Family Christmas dinner
Why choose it: The gray body and white-and-silver snowflake accents create a softer winter palette than red and green. Its 100% cotton fabric is a natural-fiber alternative to the performance polyester pick below.
Wear it with: Tan chinos, brown loafers and a plain navy cardigan.
Styling tip and tradeoff: Let the shirt provide the pattern and keep your knitwear solid. If you want a stronger Christmas color for group photos, choose the green-and-red or white-and-red pick below.
3. Bold casual Christmas party
Why choose it: Green stripes and white-and-green peppermint accents make this the most pattern-led choice in our seven picks. It suits themed gatherings where a festive shirt is part of the fun.
Wear it with: Plain dark jeans, brown boots and an unpatterned jacket.
Styling tip and tradeoff: Avoid adding a patterned tie: the stripes and accents already provide two points of interest. For a quieter work-party look, start with the black-and-gold shirt.
4. Christmas family photos
Why choose it: A white body creates a crisp backdrop for the red-and-white snowflake accents. This is a useful choice when the group is coordinating red, white or neutral outfits.
Wear it with: Charcoal or navy trousers; coordinate one accent color with the rest of the family.
Styling tip and tradeoff: Decide before the photo whether to show the contrast cuffs. For a busy patterned background, keep the cuffs unturned so the white shirt body remains the main visual.
5. Traditional red-and-green Christmas style
Why choose it: This shirt puts the green in the body and the red-and-white snowflakes in the accents. It delivers the traditional Christmas palette without needing a second bold garment.
Wear it with: Charcoal trousers or plain dark denim with simple brown or black shoes.
Styling tip and tradeoff: Keep jackets and accessories neutral. Choose white with red snowflakes instead if you want the seasonal color concentrated in the details.
6. Winter gatherings beyond Christmas
Why choose it: Blue cotton and metallic snowflake accents offer a winter theme without the traditional red-and-green palette. This is our pick for someone who wants a seasonal shirt for December dinners and later winter occasions.
Wear it with: Navy chinos or charcoal trousers, brown boots and a plain gray sweater or jacket.
Styling tip and tradeoff: When layering, check that the shirt collar lies flat and the sleeves move freely. For an unmistakably Christmas-themed party, the green candy-cane pick is more direct.
7. Moisture-wicking fabric preference
Why choose it: This black shirt uses moisture-wicking polyester with red-and-white peppermint accents. The other six picks in this roundup use 100% cotton, so this offers a clear fabric alternative.
Wear it with: Charcoal trousers, black leather shoes and a plain tailored jacket when the venue calls for one.
Styling tip and tradeoff: Choose it if you prefer performance polyester; choose one of the cotton picks if natural-fiber fabric is your priority. It is still a festive fashion shirt, so follow any formal dress-code requirements.
Compare every current style in the men’s Christmas dress shirts collection, or use the event guide below to check the dress code.
Choose Your Outfit by Christmas Event
| Event | Best shirt direction | What to pair with it |
|---|---|---|
| Office Christmas party | Black shirt with gold snowflake accents | Charcoal trousers, navy blazer, black leather shoes |
| Family Christmas dinner | Gray shirt with silver snowflake accents | Tan chinos, navy cardigan, brown loafers |
| Holiday cocktail party | Black shirt with peppermint accents | Dark suit or tailored jacket and trousers as specified, polished leather shoes |
| Christmas photos | A shirt that stands out against neutral pants. Try the White Christmas Dress Shirt with red snowflake accents. | Neutral pants so the shirt remains the focal point |
| Casual holiday party | A bolder seasonal look. Try the green Candy Cane Dress Shirt. | Dark jeans, boots, simple jacket |
| Dressy holiday dinner | White shirt with red snowflake accents | Dark suit, polished shoes; check the invitation for a stricter dress code |
| Black tie | White formal evening shirt | Tuxedo, black bow tie, black formal shoes |
Men’s Christmas Party Outfit Ideas by Dress Code
The easiest way to choose a men’s Christmas party outfit is to match the shirt to the event’s dress code. These combinations answer the most common holiday-dressing questions without overcomplicating the outfit.
What Should a Man Wear to an Office Christmas Party?
For an office Christmas party, start with your workplace dress code. At a daytime gathering, use small cuff or collar accents; at an evening restaurant event, add a tailored jacket. Tuck the shirt in and keep novelty accessories to a minimum.
What Should a Man Wear to a Casual Christmas Party?
For a casual Christmas party, the invitation can give you more freedom with color and pattern. Choose one statement piece: a festive shirt with plain dark jeans or chinos. Bring a removable layer if the celebration moves between indoors and outdoors.
What Should a Man Wear to a Formal Christmas Party?
Read the invitation before choosing a formal Christmas party outfit. For cocktail or semi-formal attire, a dark suit and polished leather shoes are a useful starting point; keep seasonal accents discreet and follow the host’s expectations. A blazer alone does not satisfy every formal dress code.
What Should a Man Wear to a Black-Tie Christmas Party?
For black tie, choose a tuxedo, white formal evening shirt, black bow tie and black formal shoes. Save bold Christmas prints and contrast cuffs for less formal events. If the invitation says black-tie optional, a dark suit with a conservative shirt and tie is an alternative; ask the host if the wording is unclear.
What Should a Man Wear to a Christmas Dinner?
For Christmas dinner, prioritize comfort without going too casual. A modern-fit holiday shirt with chinos or dark denim works for most family gatherings. If dinner is at a restaurant, country club or formal venue, switch to dress trousers and add a blazer.
What Should Men Wear for Christmas Family Photos?
For family photos, choose one or two coordinated holiday colors and avoid having every person wear a competing pattern. A red, green, white or winter-patterned shirt works well with neutral trousers. If the shirt is bold, keep jackets, pants and shoes understated so the photo does not look visually crowded.
Can Men Wear Jeans to a Christmas Party?
Yes—if the event is casual. Choose dark, clean denim without heavy distressing and pair it with a structured Christmas button-up, boots or polished casual shoes. For office, cocktail or formal parties, trousers are the safer choice.
Festive dress shirt + solid dark pants + simple shoes + optional blazer. The more colorful or patterned the shirt is, the quieter the rest of the outfit should be.
When you’re ready to shop, browse the men’s Christmas shirts collection and choose a style that matches the level of formality you need.
How Should a Christmas Dress Shirt Fit?
Fit matters more than the holiday pattern. A shirt that fits correctly will look more expensive, photograph better and be easier to layer under a jacket.
Modern Fit
A modern fit gives you a tailored shape without being extremely close through the waist. It is a good choice if you want room to move during long dinners, office parties or travel while still avoiding a boxy silhouette.
Fitted
A fitted shirt is more tapered through the shoulders, chest and especially the waist. It creates a sharper silhouette for men who prefer a closer cut.
Use the Anton Alexander dress shirt sizing guide before ordering so you can compare the measurements for fitted and modern-fit options.
How to Style Men’s Christmas Dress Shirts
With a Blazer
Try the blazer on over the buttoned shirt: the collar should sit flat, sleeves should move comfortably, and the shirt should not bunch beneath the jacket. Keep cuff accents subtle for work events.
With Dress Pants
Black, charcoal, navy and tan trousers work with most Christmas shirts. Darker pants are especially useful with red, green or patterned shirts because they keep the outfit balanced.
With Jeans
Choose denim that fits cleanly through the seat and legs. A tucked-in dress shirt and belt give jeans a sharper finish; check the hem length before wearing the shirt untucked.
With a Tie or Bow Tie
If the shirt already has a bold holiday pattern, choose a solid tie or skip it. If the shirt is more restrained, a coordinating tie or bow tie can add a second festive detail without making the outfit feel busy.
Christmas Dress Shirt vs. Ugly Christmas Sweater
An ugly Christmas sweater is intentionally casual and novelty-driven. A Christmas dress shirt is more flexible: it can work at the office, dinner, a church event, family photos or a night out. It also layers more easily under a blazer or coat and gives you a cleaner silhouette in photos.
If the dress code is unclear, a festive dress shirt is usually easier to dress up or down than a novelty sweater.
Made in the USA and Built for Holiday Timing
Anton Alexander’s Christmas shirts are made in the USA. Orders normally ship the next business day, excluding weekends and holidays; shipping time is additional. Check the shipping policy and allow room for seasonal delays when planning your party outfit. Custom orders may need a different timeline.
If you want something more personal, explore custom dress shirts for additional choices in fabric combinations, contrast details, cuffs, buttons and finishing touches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Christmas Dress Shirts
What colors are best for men’s Christmas dress shirts?
Red, green, burgundy, white, black and navy are reliable holiday colors. For a more subtle look, use one seasonal color as the accent and keep the rest of the outfit neutral.
What patterns work well for Christmas shirts?
Plaid, tartan, stripes, snowflakes, candy-cane-inspired details and small seasonal motifs are common choices. The more formal the event, the more restrained the pattern should be.
Can a Christmas dress shirt be worn with a suit?
Yes, especially when the shirt uses darker colors or subtle accents. If the shirt is very bold, a blazer and separate trousers may look more balanced than a full suit.
Should I tuck in a Christmas shirt?
For office parties, formal dinners and cocktail events, tuck it in. For a casual family gathering, an untucked shirt can work if the hem length and cut are designed for it.
What is the difference between a button-up and a button-down Christmas shirt?
Button-up describes the front closure of the shirt. Button-down technically refers to a collar whose points button to the shirt. In everyday shopping searches, people often use both terms for men’s collared shirts with buttons down the front.
Are Christmas dress shirts only for December 25?
No. Winter patterns, deep seasonal colors and subtle Christmas accents can be worn throughout the holiday season for office events, dinners, photos, travel and other winter gatherings.
What is smart casual Christmas party attire for men?
Smart casual Christmas party attire usually means a collared shirt, chinos or tailored trousers, and polished shoes without requiring a full suit. A subtle Christmas dress shirt under a blazer fits that dress code well.
How festive should a men’s Christmas shirt be?
Match the shirt to the setting. For work and formal events, use subtle holiday colors, cuffs or patterns. For casual parties, family gatherings and themed events, you can go much bolder with candy-cane, snowflake or red-and-green designs.
Find Your Christmas Shirt
Choose from festive colors, winter patterns, candy-cane accents and polished holiday designs in the Anton Alexander Christmas collection.