Written by Menswear Style in Stockists on the 8th December 2020

While the social distancing rules are likely to be relaxed for Christmas, the same indulgence probably won’t be extended to New Year’s celebrations. That means that we won’t see lavish parties thrown - or, in fact, many in-person parties of any kind. With that said, there’s still an opportunity to make the best of a bad situation, with the help of online video conferencing platforms like Zoom. And that means that there’s still a chance to dress up, and treat the occasion as a special one. We’d all like to see the back of 2020 – and why not do so in style? Let’s take a look at a few places to shop for a virtual New Year’s Eve Party. You needn’t put quite as much focus on the footwear – but it’s still important to come away with something that you’ll happily wear once the Coronavirus has been safely contained, and we’re able to attend social functions again as we once did.

Intu Watford 

Watford is home to a sprawling shopping centre, complete with more than a 140 shops, restaurants and leisure activities. You’ll find a range of prestigious brands, along with places to grab a bite to eat when you’re done. You can get back to Clapham from Watford easily, making it a safe place for Londoners to indulge in a little Christmas shopping during an age of social distancing. If you don’t fancy the designer stores, or don’t think that they’ll show up sufficiently well on your Zoom call, then you might get by with what’s on offer in a mainstream shopping centre. If you’d like to push the boat out, however, you’ll find that London has plenty of respectable designer options.

GoodHood 

The Goodhood store, on Old Street in Hackney, provides a range of swanky designer gear, including jackets, trousers t-shirts and hoodies. Wow your fellow virtual-party attendees with a fancy jacket with a vintage twist - who wouldn’t be impressed?

Oliver Spencer 

If you’re looking for something a little more classic and subdued, then why not instead check out the Oliver Spencer range? You’ll find a selection of reserved shades of brown and grey, including shirts and loungewear, and jackets. There are stores in Soho, Shoreditch, and Bloomsbury – just a short walk from the Universal Works store. Check out the stuff in person, if it’s feasible.

Universal Works 

Speaking of Universal Works, last year celebrated the tenth anniversary of its first menswear collection, launched from the kitchen table of founder, David Keyte. Production is small-scale and highly-skilled, and there’s plenty of fleece and knitwear to consider. There are three stores in London: In Berwick Street, Coal Drops Yard, and Lambs Conduit Street.

We list Intu Watford, GoodHood, Oliver Spencer, and Universal Works in this guide on Where to Shop for a Virtual New Year’s Eve Party.