Terms of Endearment

An increased frequency in calls from mom. A stack of colorful invitation envelopes blanketing your desk. Tim from accounting, assiduously attempting to affix mistletoe to his belt.

‘Tis true, oh pedigreed chums: the holiday party season is upon us, and with it, all manner of opportunity for festive misstep. (Spoiler alert: that co-worker you’re thinking about going home with? Bad call.)

But never fear, prospective yuletide revelers, because InsideHook and TAG Heuer have teamed up on Terms of Endearment: A Gentleman’s Guide to Navigating Holiday Parties With Grace, Good Humor and Aplomb. You’re welcome.

From your office soirée to your family gathering to your shindig with friends, we’ve got you covered on how to dress, what to bring and yes, how to act (yes, still a bad call, man).

You’ll find all that and more in the video above. Pro tip: it’s interactive, so you can click on any of those handsome watches to learn more about it and/or pick one up. And below, check out a couple extra style tips for good measure.

Now watch up and read on — you’ll be the gift that keeps on giving right through to the new year.

Yes, you want to stand out. Yes, you want to do so while simultaneously reminding everyone that your professional vestiary game is top-shelf. No, this is not that difficult … provided you know what to do:

1. Grab yourself a suit with some punch — Or, at the very least, a snazzy jacket. Something you wouldn’t break out for the 9-5.
2. Check your wrist game — A nice watch like the TAG Heuer Carrera is like a solid work ethic: respected by underlings and superiors alike, and lets everyone know you’re a man who knows the value of his time.
3. Don’t skimp down low — When giving you a once over, people tend to go top-to-bottom. Leave ‘em with a solid impression via something powerful like a double monk.

CARRERA CALIBRE 16
TAG HEUER  / $4,650

BUY HERE

LAZIO BROWN CHECK
SUITSUPPLY  / $499

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MEDFORD IN COGNAC
TO BOOT NEW YORK  / $275

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HURSTON CHECK BUTTON CUFF SHIRT
THOMAS PINK  / $95

BUY HERE

No, you don’t want to stand out, particularly. Yes, you still want to be dressed stylishly. Yes, slightly more stylishly than everyone else. But not by a lot, per point one. It’s a balancing act, but it can be done. To wit:

1. Embrace the shawl cardigan — Like a magical bridge between the sweater and the blazer, it instantly upgrades any ensemble. A subtle win every time.
2. Elevate from denim — Keeping it casual is all well and good — this is your family we’re talking about, after all — but stepping it up from a pair of jeans never hurt, either. Chinos, cords, maybe even a moleskin flat-front … you’ve got options.
3. Let your wrist do the talking — Not that you want to rub how well you’re doing in everyone’s faces, but a little reminder that the year’s been good to you? Totally above board. Try a TAG Heuer Aquaracer — understated enough that you’re not Joe Flashy, but bet your ass they’re taking notice.

AQUARACER CALIBRE 16
TAG HEUER  / $3,650

BUY HERE

AQUARACER CALIBRE 5
TAG HEUER  / $2,550

BUY HERE

SECRET WASH SHIRT
IN HEATHER POPLIN RED PLAID
J.CREW  / $64.50

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CABLE SHAWL CARDIGAN
BRAEMAR FOR BROOKS BROTHERS  / $498

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ASHLAND CORDUROY 5-POCKET PANTS
BILLY REID  / $165

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ROCKFORD 1000 MILE CAP-TOE BOOT
WOLVERINE  / $400

BUY HERE

So here’s the deal: you wanna be festive, but you also don’t want to veer into holiday mascot territory. So here’s what you do: you take your most solid Friday night date ensemble and add one festive element to it. We repeat, one. As for the rest:

1. Visit the fair isle — The sweater, that is. Undeniable holiday vibes, but still appropriate for any social setting. Great layering piece as well.
2. The classic trifecta — Dark denim, brown leather jacket, rugged boots. The perfectly understated backdrop for that one festive element we were talking about.
3. Do your pushups — Whether you’re keeping the jacket on or not, pushing those sleeves up adds a great casual air to a holiday getup. Added bonus: a great way to show off a statement wrist piece like the TAG Heuer Monaco. Or some easy access to that handy smartwatch when it comes time to switch up the playlist or order more booze.

MONACO
TAG HEUER  / $5,900

BUY HERE

CONNECTED
TAG HEUER / $2,300

BUY HERE

FAIR ISLE SWEATER
RALPH LAUREN  / $285

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LEATHER BOMBER JACKET
TOMMY HILFIGER  / $495

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505c SLIM-FIT TAPERED STRETCH DENIM JEANS
LEVI’S  / $100

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PAGLIA MOTO BOOT
BILLY REID  / $495

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