What Tie to Wear to a Christmas Party (Office Party to Black Tie)
08 October 2026 · Updated 24 October 2026 · By Tajmilkha P.
December is the busiest month of the year for dressing up. Between the office party, client lunches, family dinners and the odd black-tie invitation, there are more chances to wear a good tie than at any other time. Here is what to wear to each.
The office Christmas party
The office party is still a work event, so aim for festive but sensible. Leave the novelty ties at home and choose a classic tie in a seasonal colour instead.
- Red: the obvious Christmas colour, kept smart with a neat pattern. The Walthamstow Scarlet Weave and The Charlton Crimson Weave are rich and textured; The Chiswick Scarlet Pin Dot is classic.
- Green: a little more unexpected. The Dalston Hunter Green Medallion works with navy or grey.
- Burgundy: if you would rather be subtle, burgundy feels seasonal without trying too hard. Try The Farringdon Claret Honeycomb.
Wear it with your usual work suit and a white shirt, and add the matching pocket square for an easy upgrade on the night.
Festive dinners and drinks
For dinners, drinks and parties outside work, you can bring in a bit of shine. Gold, bronze and champagne tones look right under warm lights and candles.
- The Bankside Gold Diamond Lattice: antique gold with ivory dot centres, made for celebrations.
- The Hackney Bronze Star Weave: small woven stars in bronze and gold, quietly festive.
- The Beckenham Gilt Paisley: an opulent gold and black paisley for a proper statement.
These work best with a navy, charcoal or black suit, so the tie does the talking.
Black-tie and formal evenings
A true black-tie invitation calls for a bow tie. But many Christmas events are “black tie optional” or simply formal, and a dark suit with an elegant long tie is perfectly correct.
Choose dark grounds with a subtle sheen: The Golders Green Bronze Paisley in black with bronze and gold, The Kingston Onyx Paisley in black and silver-grey, or The Blackheath Charcoal Diamond Weave. Our guide to black tie vs. business formal explains the dress codes.
Christmas Day itself
If your family dresses up for Christmas lunch, a softer, warmer tie suits the mood: The St John's Wood Amber Paisley or The Maida Vale Rose Paisley with a navy blazer or a tweed jacket.
Buying a tie as a Christmas gift?
Every Vane Kensington tie arrives in our signature gift box with a free matching pocket square, so it is ready to go under the tree with nothing else to wrap. If you are unsure of his taste, navy and burgundy are the safest choices. Browse our Christmas gift ties or read our tie gift buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wear a Christmas tie to the office party?
A classic tie in a seasonal colour such as red, green or gold looks smarter than a novelty tie and is still festive.
What colour tie is best for Christmas?
Red, deep green, burgundy and gold are all traditional Christmas colours and work well with navy, grey and charcoal suits.
Can I wear a long tie to a black-tie event?
Strictly, black tie means a bow tie. For “black tie optional” or formal events, a dark suit with an elegant dark tie is appropriate.
Shop this guide
- Christmas gift ties
- The Walthamstow Scarlet Weave Tie: for the office party
- The Bankside Gold Diamond Lattice Tie: for festive evenings
- The Golders Green Bronze Paisley Tie: for formal nights
