New Year's Eve Outfit Ideas: What to Wear by Plan

What to wear on New Year's Eve, by plan

• Dinner out

  Midi or maxi

  Satin with one sparkly accessory: you'll sit for hours, so pick comfort with shine.

• Club or bar

  Mini

  Sequins, crystals, metallic or fringe: the night for full shine and a short hem.

• House party

  Mini or midi

  Shine on top, comfort below: you'll be on your feet, in the kitchen and on the sofa.

• Black-tie party

  Floor length

  A long dress in sparkle or deep satin; black and navy always fit the invite.

• Outdoor countdown

  Long sleeves

  Long sleeves, tights and a long coat, with block heels or boots for cold ground.

• Brunch the next day

  Midi

  The morning after: a soft midi, flat shoes and sunglasses for January light.

Sequins or not?

• All-out sparkle

  Sequins, crystals or beading all over suit a big party or a club; keep the jewellery small.

• Shine without sequins

  Satin and metallic fabric catch the light at midnight without the weight or the scratch.

• Black plus one shine

  A plain black or navy dress with sparkly earrings, a sequin bag or metallic heels.

• Midnight photos

  A phone flash makes sequins and metallics glow; satin photographs softer and less shiny.

Look 01

Full sparkle for the big party“the countdown, in sequins”

• Small jewellery: the dress does the work
• Clear or metallic heels
• A plain coat over it

Wear it to

• Big party
• Hotel ballroom
• Rooftop bar

Why it works+

If the plan is a big party, this is the night to wear the most sparkly dress you own. A long dress in sequins or crystals looks special without anything else, so keep the rest plain.

More for this look

• 
  Mars the LabelC$94

  A pale pink halter column covered in small crystals, close-fitting to the floor.

  Details
• 
  Jaded LondonC$420

  A blush maxi in beads and sequins with open sides crossed by thin straps and a skirt open to the hip at the front.

  Details
• Get sparkly picks for your budget

Look 02

Dinner: soft satin, one sparkle“a long table before midnight”

• Sparkly earrings or a metallic bag
• Satin and chiffon are easy to sit in
• A wrap for the walk to midnight

Wear it to

• Restaurant dinner
• Dinner party
• Hotel bar

Why it works+

A New Year's Eve dinner can run for hours, so choose a dress you can sit in: soft satin or chiffon in a pale colour. Add the shine with one accessory, so the dress still works after the toast.

More for this look

• 
  Tiger MistUS$40

  A cream column on thin straps with a gathered tie bust and a diamanté flower placed down one side.

  Details
• 
  Tiger MistUS$65

  A baby-pink chiffon maxi with a deep cowl halter and a skirt that flares slightly at the hem.

  Details
• Get dinner picks for your budget

Look 03

Black and navy for black tie“dark dress, bright lights”

• Black takes any metallic accessory
• Navy looks softer than black in photos
• Silver or gold, not both

Wear it to

• Black-tie party
• Gala dinner
• City bar

Why it works+

A dark dress is the classic for a dressy countdown: it looks elegant all night and lets the lights do the sparkling. Choose one with a detail, like beading, a corset or embroidery, so it still feels like a celebration.

More for this look

• 
  House of CBUS$329

  A navy maxi with a boned matte corset bodice, a sculpted straight neckline and a draped satin skirt.

  Details
• 
  JW PEIC$270

  A navy halter pencil midi with two embroidered blue irises running from the bust down one side.

  Details
• Get black-tie picks for your budget

Look 04

Outdoor countdown: sleeves and a long coat“fireworks in the cold”

• Sleeves plus sheer tights under a long coat
• Block heels or boots for cold ground
• Hand warmers in the bag

Wear it to

• Fireworks or a city countdown
• Rooftop party
• Cottage or chalet

Why it works+

If midnight is outside, start with warmth: long sleeves, a hem that works with tights and boots, and a long coat over the rest. Lace, velvet or a metallic shine keep it from looking like a day dress.

More for this look

• 
  House of CBUS$269

  A deep aubergine velvet dress to the knee with long sleeves, a deep V and a row of shiny hook closures down the front.

  Details
• 
  JW PEIC$270

  A liquid-silver maxi with a wide boat neck, long fitted sleeves and a draped panel down one side.

  Details
• Get picks for your plan and budget

Club or bar: a shiny mini

A club is the place for a short, shiny dress: it moves when you dance and catches every light. Wear heels you can last in until well after midnight, and a coat you won't mind checking.

What colour to wear on New Year's Eve

Gold, silver, white and black are the classics. Some New Year customs also pair a colour with a wish: many people in Brazil wear white for peace, and in several Latin American countries yellow stands for luck and red for love. There's no rule, so wear the colour you feel best in:

• Gold and champagne

  Night

  The countdown colour: fringe, metallic or crystals.

  See picks

• White and ivory

  Night

  A fresh start, and bright in midnight photos.

  See picks

• Black

  Night

  Elegant all night, and right with any shine.

  See picks

• Navy

  Night

  Softer than black and rich under city lights.

  See picks

• Soft pink

  Night

  Pretty in sparkle or satin, and kind in flash photos.

  See picks

Staying warm until midnight

• Sleeves or a wrap

  Long sleeves under a coat, or a faux-fur wrap over a strapless dress for the photos.

• Tights and shoes

  Sheer tights with a mini; block heels or ankle boots if you'll walk or stand outside.

• Plan the coat

  Going between places? Wear a coat you'd be happy to keep on in the midnight photos.

• Fabric for the cold

  Satin, crepe and heavy sequins feel warmer than chiffon or mesh.

A New Year's Eve or New Year's Day birthday

Born on December 31 or January 1? The countdown becomes part of your party. Dress for your birthday first and the night second: the most you dress, with the shine the plan allows. See our December birthday outfit ideas and January birthday outfit ideas. For the parties before it, see our holiday party outfit ideas.