New Year’s Eve, the event, may very well be overrated, but your outfit doesn’t have to be. In fact, I’d bet a million dropping disco balls that if you let your outfit be the main event, you’re guaranteed a great night no matter what.
There is the fear that if you wear that which the season seems to invite (sequins, sparkles, velvet) the whole world will have the same idea, so if you go out, you’ll be yet another fish in the paillette pond. Snooze. Yawn.
Where there’s not fear of matching, there’s apathy, because if you stay in, then who the hell cares what you wear when you’re playing accessory to your couch?
Well! Allow me to answer those queries posthaste for you in the name of playing dress up.
Wear Sequins, Sparkles and Velvet ALL AT ONCE

Alix sequin bodysuit under Ammara velvet top, J.Crew skirt, Charlotte Olympia shoes, Jessica Biales earrings
More is more on New Year’s. Layer a velvet tank over sequins and tuck both into a satin skirt. Add sparkle shoes on the bottom. Pair unexpected shades if you plan to go dancing, then — while turning your hips from side to side — explain, “It’s color clashing — with a twist!” Oh they’ll get it, alright.
Don’t Let Anyone Tell You a Robe Is Not Appropriate

Sally LaPointe skirt, Zara belted velvet jacket, Charlotte Olympia shoes, Cult Gaia pearl ears, Jessica Biales earrings, Bodyography glitter eye pigment
If you’re staying in, put on a fancy dress because why the hell not. No one’s going to police you for not wearing yoga pants. Add a robe-like smoking jacket over your shoulders so that just in case you don’t make it to midnight, you’re halfway ready for bed. And wear pearl rabbit ears for no rhyme or reason. What better way to ring in the new year than with a sense of humor?
Make Like Frank Sinatra and Don a Tux

Ralph Lauren tuxedo pants, jacket and shirt; Ashish sequined jacket; Oscar de la Renta shoes; Shourouk earring as brooch; Rouge Dior lipstick
Forgo the dress altogether; a tuxedo is just as fancy and will keep you way more warm. If it’s sequins you want, don’t forget that shoes can sparkle, too. And/or add a jacket over your tuxedo jacket’s shoulders. Look in the mirror at the best New Year’s Eve date you’ll ever have (yourself) and remark, “How very chivalrous of you!”
Whether or not you care to see the ball drop, isn’t the night already looking up?
Special thanks to our lovely model Jennifer Mutasa @jmutasa. Photos by Krista Anna Lewis.
You could also dress like you’re in the early 2000s, or see what cool outfits are happening on Instagram.