Holiday Style

Menswear aficionado Ethan Wong shares some holiday fashion tips. Consider sweaters, coats and even barongs!

I love the holidays. There’s just so much I look forward to, from the hilarious games of White Elephant (where my family strictly does practical gifts like toilet paper and jasmine rice) to the endless nights of karaoke with the cousins. In that same way, I also look forward to the fun outfits that I get to bring out when the “cold” finally hits Los Angeles, making each holiday season a great excuse to get dressed.

I am perfectly aware that you could wear a generic tee shirt and jeans (especially in SoCal). But the holidays aren’t about being passive. No, it's about leaning into the spirit and being extra and intentional with your energy and your clothes! That’s the charm of the holidays. And it’s easier than you think!

The key is to have a hearty arsenal of garments that help you get in the Spirit of the Season. I do not merely mean Christmas sweaters and socks (unless you totally love them), but rather garments that just exude the vibes of winter. Most of these items are ones that are full of heft, texture, and are meant to be paired with each other to create an infinite amount of combinations. I’m talking corduroy pants, chunky sweaters and turtlenecks, flannel pants, and tweed jackets— all garments that look great when relaxing at home or when you’re out with loved ones. Hell, I’d even suggest a big overcoat (which will certainly go with everything)!

Beyond T-Shirt and Jeans: Ethan Wong always looks dapper. He writes the menswear blog "A Little Bit of Rest"

Keep in mind that there’s no need to collect all of them, but it does make for a fun challenge when perusing your local thrift or flea market or when you’re looking on eBay. For the latter, I suggest looking for heritage brands like L.L Bean or Ralph Lauren! But no matter what, make sure you focus on 100% organic materials like cotton or wool.

The rest of the details should obviously follow the holiday spirit! Reds and Greens provide a jaunty attitude, so it makes sense to have them present in your holiday wardrobe. A full-on red shirt may be tough to wear, but wearing the color as a cable knit sweater or turtleneck is easier to don. You could even do it as corduroy pants! There’s just something about fall/winter fabrics that make fun colors feel so approachable and easy. Let’s not forget that a vibrant red or green sock is also a great way to hint at it again in your hosiery.

If you’re feeling adventurous and are a bit of an “old soul”, fair isle (worn as a full sweater or just a sweater vest) is fun due to not only its colors but patterns that just feel inline with the season. And of course a tweed jacket could be done in plain browns or greys, but it also just feels right to get it in patterns like houndstooth and plaid; bonus points if you decide to go with tartan! You can always pair it with subdued items or go full force by using your vibrant cords and sweaters.

These garments are all quite seasonal and certainly can’t be worn year round here in L.A, but that’s entirely the point. The ephemerality of flannels, cords, and tweeds makes them something to look forward to, not unlike seeing your Lolo and Lola during the countless family gatherings yet to come. The best part is that these are all easy to wear and pair with each other, white still retaining a bit of charm in their slouchy elegance. In that way, it never truly feels like you’re getting trussed up like a turkey, but that you’re able to look stylish with ease.

Ethan's friends are equally stylish! Do you see MJ's barong?

Of course, being stylish is really about “who” you want to look like. Figuring that out makes putting outfits together incredibly easy. Want to step it up during a formal holiday event? Lean into a vintage holiday vibe by leaving the plain suit at home and instead go for a blazer and bow tie with bold colored (or even plaid) trousers! The combination feels a bit retro which is always a fun aesthetic to lean into when dressing. Want to give “professor at the holiday party”? Try a tweed jacket with an oxford shirt, corduroy trousers, and wear a green or red knit tie. Want to be cozy? How about a chunky sweater with a turtleneck underneath, mixing practicality with an easy vibe. And if you really want to get into the Fil-Am spirit, you could even mix tweeds and cords with your barong. The cultural mix is what being a Fil-Am is all about! When you figure out what vibe you want to go for or what “character” you want to be, everything just falls into place.

Dressing for the holidays doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wear sweats and hoodies. It’s about having your clothes join in on celebrating the warmth and wholesome fun that the season is all about! It always improves my mood to wear a fun seasonal outfit. Though I guess after I’m done eating copious amounts of lumpia, I do turn to my beloved sweatpants. I guess I can’t escape the elastic waists after all!

About the Author:

Ethan M. Wong works in advertising but spends his precious free time writing and podcasting about expression through Classic & Vintage Menswear. He is also obsessed with photographing his friends and occasionally composes music when inspiration strikes!