MALE CALL

Dressing for family feast not a fancy clothes affair

Q. What can my husband wear to Thanksgiving that looks dressy but not business ... and can survive a spill?

A. Dressing for social occasions is often problematic. We want to honor our hosts without either overdressing or under-dressing. Since Thanksgiving is not just a social occasion, but also usually a family one, perhaps the pressure is somewhat lessened. Or perhaps it is heightened!

A man's clothes continue to express his personality and position in the world, even in nonwork situations. Often it is more difficult to know what to wear for these social occasions than for the regular workaday world. His primary concerns should be appropriateness, comfort and good looks. Keep in mind that there's no good time for looking bad, and no bad time for looking good.

This could be the perfect time for a guy to try something from the wonderful options displayed in magazines and in stores, provided he doesn't go overboard. Tweed sports coats, navy blazers, handsome sweaters, sweater vests, puffer jackets, well-cut dress pants, good-looking (and well-ironed) sport shirts and dress shirts (with or without a tie) are all possibilities. Layering is a good strategy, with something you can take off, if need be. Not only does it work to suit the temperature, but it also gives a man leeway to adjust what he is wearing to be more in keeping with others who are attending.

Let's begin with what not to wear. You needn't wear a suit; that would be too businesslike and too dressy. Avoid ratty jeans; they are the other extreme. Choose the sort of items that are dressy-casual, something you look good in and feel comfortable in. If, for example, you wear a tweed jacket or a dark blazer, it goes great with a button-down dress shirt -- worn with a casual knit tie or open-at-the-neck -- dress pants, loafers and maybe a fun pair of colorful socks.

Or your clothes can reflect a decidedly more casual attitude. You might wear khaki cotton pants or corduroys with a sweater or sweater vest. As for shirts, anything from brightly-colored gingham checks or stripes to a bold cotton plaid could work. I especially like large pastel plaids that include khaki as one of the colors, repeating/echoing the color of the chinos.

Slip-on loafers -- in good condition -- in a versatile shade of medium to dark brown will support any of these combinations.

Wearing a T-shirt, sweatshirt, faded jeans, and/or dirty sneakers to a sit-down dinner is insulting. If you want to look as if you truly belong at the grown-ups' table, don't under-dress.

My strong feeling is that it never hurts to be slightly more dapper and put-together than the situation requires. If it turns out that you're the best-dressed guy in the room, it's not a disaster.

And, if you do get a spill, don't sweat it. Just take the garment to the dry cleaner or use a good spot remover as soon as possible. The longer a spot remains untreated, the more difficult it is to remove.

Enjoy the holiday!

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High Profile on 11/12/2017

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