Over the last 10 years I think I have spent my NYE in one of each of these ways. When I visit Maine, there is a local outdoor ball drop that I have done multiple times. I went to a NYE wedding a few years ago (NYE is one of the few holidays that guests are actually excited to have a wedding to go to). One year we went to a black tie optional party in DC. The last couple years we have done some variation of going to dinner and hanging out with a small group of friends at home, which is my personal favorite way to spend the holiday.
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Whichever way you are spending New Years Eve, it is generally considered a night to dress up and look your best. Everyone wants to send off the prior year and kick off the new one on a high note. To help you with that, we put together a few New Years Eve outfits from casual to dressy for each of the ways you may be spending your evening.
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Look 1: Dinner
Photo: Instagram
Whether you are having dinner at a fancy restaurant in New York with a twelve course tasting menu or just a casual dinner at your favorite neighborhood spot, this outfit works. The neutral color palette makes it very easy to achieve with pieces you may already own (like nude pumps and a beige sweater) but the heels and leather pants dress it up enough for NYE.
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Look 2: House Party
I'm in love with the look of long black trousers with a split hem. It is so chic and a refreshing style change from the constant ankle grazing pants we've all been wearing for years. Paired with pointed toe pumps these pants make your legs look crazy long. A metallic sweater is the perfect NYE top to finish off this look.
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Look 3: Cocktail Party
I love a good jumpsuit, and NYE is a great time to bust one out. If you have a fun cocktail party to attend, try one of these jumpsuits below.
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Look 4: NYE Wedding
Having a wedding to attend on New Years Eve is one of the best case scenarios. You get to see friends and/or family, you get to dance, and you get to really dress up. A floor length or ankle length slip silk dress with some flashy jewelry is a perfect NYE wedding guest outfit.
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Look 5: Watching the Ball Drop
From Times Square to Bangor, Maine - there are plenty of places that do an annual ball drop on New Years Eve. Personally, Times Square does not sound appealing to me, but a cozy small town ball drop is a really fun way to spend an evening. In most cases, if this is the way you're spending your evening, the goal is to dress as warmly as possible.
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Look 6: Staying Home
Photo: Madewell
If you are staying from home and watching the festivities on TV or spending time with family, you probably just want to be comfortable. Throw on a matching sweat pant set and a pair of furry slippers and celebrate the JOMO.