Smarten up for the party season

Swedish label ACNE has teamed up with Mr Porter to produce a tuxedo collection to see you into the New Year in style, says Rebecca Gonsalves

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... the party season part of it at least, if not the traditional period of Advent that retailers seem on a campaign to bring forward to late October. Invites are beginning to flow in: a drinks do here, a night of dancing there, and each with its very own dress code.

This season, Swedish brand ACNE has joined forces with website Mr Porter to provide a capsule collection which, launched this week, can be adapted to almost every evening-wear eventuality. Rightly the tuxedo made from black wool is the centrepiece of the 14-piece collection.

"I like the tuxedo," says Johnny Johansson, creative director of ACNE. "I think of it as a classic little black dress for men. I would use the word elegant to describe the man's tuxedo – everything becomes elegant in a way." Johansson references Cecil Beaton, the dapper photographer and costume designer, and it is undeniable that donning a tuxedo is an evocative affair.

Alongside the suit, a velvet smoking jacket, bow tie, formal shirts, shoes and an evening overcoat really do offer everything a man may need to kit himself out for this party season, and for those in years to come.

This is a modern take on the traditional, though. "When I designed the collection, I wanted it all to work separately," explains Johansson. "I love the fact that each piece can be taken in isolation and worn with jeans and a T-shirt. The ACNE philosophy is that while every collection forms a concept, each piece can still be worn separately and be effortlessly mixed with other brands to create an individual style."

Accessories start from £70 (for a bow tie), clothing starts from £115 (for a silk trim T-shirt), all ACNE for mrporter.com