The casual holiday look

CEBU, Philippines — The holidays are about here. There are reunions and get-togethers in the near horizon, for sure. By now, everyone is probably getting preoccupied with thoughts about outfits for these events.

Today’s generation wants to be comfortable while looking great at the same time. The December nights are cold, and it’s when most of these holiday gatherings happen. Those restrictive party outfits of decades past would no longer do with the young ones.

The issue of outfits is not exclusive to women. It can dampen the enthusiasm of men, too, not having an idea of what to wear to a holiday party. The situation can prompt any man to hesitate with an important invitation.

Today’s men balk at the sartorial implications of holiday gatherings. But Antonio Centeno himself, the CEO of www.realmenrealstyle.com, finds it not the order to the day anymore for men to be wearing a suit to a holiday party. Centeno’s statement cannot be brushed aside; his company specializes in men’s style.

The common mindset is – it’s the holidays, you’ve got to dress up! After all, the season comes only once a year, so might as well flaunt the best you’ve got. It’s even okay to overdo it a bit.

And that is right… the holidays exude a feeling of extravagance anyway. A little overdressing is momentarily tolerable. Everyone’s too much in good spirits to be critical.

On the opposite extreme, one may choose to dress down for the sake of comfort, especially the man. Yes, today’s young men seem to have a different meaning to ‘dressing up’. It’s actually dressing down in traditional terms.

Most young men these days prefer to be in casuals in attending events, holiday events included. They like the good mix of comfort and… well, style. Interestingly, the look comes across just right in most gatherings.

Many girls are also becoming quite hesitant to dress up. It doesn’t pay, they say, to stress oneself up for an outfit and the holiday cocktails get rained out. It’s like letting some breathing space in your mind – and you heave a sigh of relief in realizing that there’s really no need torture yourself on the matter of holiday outfit.

Of course, dressing up is not a crime, either. There are still events in life where going full-tilt formal and thematic is required. The thing is, it need not be a “must” all the time. And so this year, one may take a breather.

Going casuals is not high-minded or high-concept – and not high-priced. A compelling equation indeed! So, think long-sleeve shirt, with collar or not, over pants of your choice; match with comfortably stylish footwear – and you’re ready for any holiday party.