Alex and Ashley never let me down in the fashion department. When I asked them to come up with Formal Holiday Attire, I knew they wouldn’t disappoint. Here they are in their finest tartans and Christmas reds (champagne in hand of course) in looks that left me inspired. It doesn’t get more dapper than this folks. Here’s what Alex had to say: 

When you’re wearing formal wear it’s all about “classic”.  Fortunately classic also means that you can buy it anytime, you don’t need to update every season.  I’m wearing a vintage wool blend tuxedo with a shawl collar.  Purchased for $25 at Twice Upon a Time (Brattleboro VT), it’s got unstructured shoulders and high armholes that give it a relaxed nonchalance that might run you $800 if you wanted to buy it new.  These wool Royal Stewart tartan trousers are also a vintage pair, they offer a great shot of color into a black tie ensemble, and at $11 over a decade ago at Roz’s Place (Northampton MA) they’re about 1/20 of the price you might pay online.  The outfit is completed with black wholecut oxfords (more vintage, Sebago, Made in Maine baby, $8 @ Salvation Army Portland ME), vintage Brooks Bros satin bow tie ($2 at Goodwill, Falmouth ME), and a spread collar shirt by Banana Republic (christmas gift about 10 years ago).  Pieced together over a decade from all over New England, a great, classic, black tie ensemble for about $50.