How to Dress on New Year’s Eve From Casual to Cocktail

There are lots of fun ways to ring in the New Year, and by 40+, you’ve probably experienced them all. From huge ballroom bashes to cozy at-home countdowns, it’s fun to glam up for the big night. Today, I’m sharing some modern ways to celebrate in style, no matter how or where you plan to do it. Here’s how to Dress and What to Wear on New Year’s Eve.

How to Dress on New Year’s Eve From Casual to Cocktail

How are you Celebrating?

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1. Huge Bash 

The most formal New Year’s Eve celebrations are black-tie events, usually held in a hotel ballroom or grand reception hall. These extravagant events include a big bad and a three-course inner call for you to dress in something unapologetically glam. Don’t be afraid to go all out in a long formal black gown or glitzy cocktail dress that looks red carpet-ready. New Year’s Eve only happens once a year, so it’it’s your time to shine.

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2. Classy Cocktail Party – Dress Elegant and Party Ready

Semi-formal cocktail parties are dressy, too, but usually begin later in the night and don’t involve a full dinner. This could be a night with friends in someone’s home or a restaurant, mingling, and nibbling on appetizers while you dance and count down the clock. A chic cocktail dress or a fancy pair of dress pants and an elegant blouse. In a festive color and luxurious fabric.

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3.  Quiet Dinner and Drinks with Close Friends – Dress in Festive and Cozy

This is usually how I celebrate in black pants, leather pants or sequin pants with a cute sweater or blouse. But you could also wear some silver jeans and a top or some other kind of embellished casual pants or a cute casual dress.

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4. Relaxed New Year’s Eve Celebration – Festive Loungewear

Relaxing means many things to many people. You could go as glam as a velvety loungewear outfit to a pair of jeans and a cozy sweatshirt with a bit of sparkle. The key is comfort when you are staying on the couch watching the clock count down! 

Whether you go all out in a fancy cocktail dress or keep it low-key in jeans,  a beautiful jewel-tone color will make your outfit look festive.  Deep, rich jewel tones like Purple, Emerald Green, Ruby, and Sapphire Blue are lively, formal, and sophisticated.

I love a jewel-toned velvet blazer, and this one in this gorgeous blue color is a standout. Velvet is rich and can elevate a casual outfit to an elegant New Year’s Eve look when paired with a silky blouse or soft, thin sweater.

A Little Black Dress Always Works

Of course, the most popular New Year’s Eve color is black!  Black is always elegant, understated, and somewhat mysterious. It also has the bonus of being very slimming.  When in doubt, a smart little black dress with sexy shoes, sparkly earrings, and a fab evening clutch always works! 

This feminine black sheath with the lace sleeves is classy and romantic. If you find all-black is too draining, choose a little black dress with silver, gold, or some embellishment at the neckline to bring you to life.

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Sequins Look Sensational

Sequins, sparkle, and glitter are the ultimate way to put you in a party mood and light up the room on New Year’s Eve. You can go all out in a full sequin dress or try a sequin top with festive holiday pants. I love this sequin silver skirt with a cashmere sweater!

Sheer is Sexy

New Year’s is one night of the year you want to look a little sexy, but that doesn’t have to mean spaghetti straps, plunging necklines, short skirts, or showing off, showing as much skin as you can. Over 40 sexy can be as simple as a black holiday top with some sheer sleeves like this one for a peek-a-boo effect. By playing up area and keeping everything more classic and conservative, you will look sexy in a grown-up way.

Velvet is always Lovely

Velvet is a luxurious way to cover your arms and ring in the New Year in style. This gorgeous red velvet top is feminine and adds the perfect texture to these luxurious velvet wide-leg pants.

Add some silver flats with sparkly rhinestones and a sequin bag to dazzle!

A Flowy Jumpsuit Fabulous

Do you prefer pants to a dress? A flowy-leg jumpsuit is a knockout holiday look for New Year’s (and a comfy one, too). It’s fabulous at any age. This metallic jumpsuit is so light and comfortable that you can wear it any other time of the year, too! 

Pump up Hair and Makeup (but don’t get crazy!)

Finally, just because New Year’s is the biggest event of the year, you shouldn’t automatically go overboard with big hair and tons of makeup. Smoky eyeliner, false lashes, or bold red lips will give you the extra party punch you want.

New Year’s Eve is one of those rare celebrations when what you wear can make the end of the Year feel like a big “hurrah.” Go for something special and glam. It’s your time to shine! As the costume designer Rosemary Ponzo says, “Buy the right dress, and the party will come!”