How to Dress on New Year's Eve (for Women)

If you have been lucky enough to be attending a New Year’s Eve party, you need to know how to dress for the occasion in an eye-catching manner. Most parties are festive and a little wild, and your style needs to reflect that. To leave a lasting impression with your hosts and the other guests, choose a daring, glitzy outfit and appropriately daring shoes and accessories. Finish your look by highlighting your best facial features with dramatic make-up.

Steps

Show a Little Skin

1. Choose a length that works for you. Short skirts are relatively standard for New Year's Eve, but if you feel uncomfortable baring that much skin, stick with a skirt that falls at or just above the knee. Choose a length that makes you look and feel your best, regardless of tradition.
2. Pick an interesting neckline. Instead of a straight-cut neckline, consider something a little more flirtatious, like a crisscross strap or strapless sweetheart neckline. For a more conservative option, try a festive scoop neck that keeps your shoulders covered but exposes part of your collarbone.
3. Try a one-shoulder dress. One-shoulder dresses create a dramatic flair that works perfectly for a New Year’s Eve party. Moreover, playing peek-a-boo with your shoulders can often look sultrier than keeping both shoulders bare.
4. Go backless. If you feel a little wary about exposing your shoulders or chest, but you have a toned back with fairly clear skin, a daring backless dress might be the perfect option for you. A conservative front keeps things looking classy, while the exposed back shows a tempting glimpse of skin.
5. Keep your legs warm. Considering the chilly time of year, you may want to reconsider leaving your legs exposed. Simple skin-tone nylon pantyhose will do the trick, but if you want to make more of a statement, consider a black or patterned nylon, instead.
6. Wrap it up. Depending on how much skin your dress shows, your shoulders or back may end up feeling cold. Carry a wrap or shawl for when you have to venture outside. Alternatively, a capelet or cape provides you with a little more coverage while giving your look a dramatic twist.

Add Some Glitz and Glamour

1. Try on a sequined dress. For most people, there are not many occasions when you can get away with wearing a sequined dress. On New Year's Eve, however, sequins are not only welcome, but classic.
2. Tone it down with a sequined skirt. If a sequined dress is too much sparkle for your style, opt for a sequined skirt instead. Match the skirt with a simple fitted tank top or blouse. A solid black top offers an especially nice contrast with your shimmery skirt.
3. Consider a sequined top. If you would prefer to take the attention off your legs, draw it higher by wearing a fitted sequined top. Match it with a subdued bottom, like a black pencil skirt or dress trousers.
4. Look at lush velvet. Velvet is a luxurious material and makes an excellent alternative to sequins for dinner parties and other classy festivities. Make the most of this look by choosing an alluring hue, like turquoise, rather than a drab black.
5. Stick with your trusty little black dress. When all else fails, your little black dress can come to your rescue. It makes the perfect basic background for you to dress up with glitzy jewelry and sparkly shoes.
6. Try on a metallic jean. If you plan on attending a casual party or ringing in the New Year with a small group of close friends, keep things simple by wearing a metallic jean. Metallic jeans have a tint of gold or silver overlaying the denim, making them a little dressier than your everyday jeans.
7. Keep things muted with a simple pattern. If you are keeping things casual this New Year’s Eve, a fitted tank top or blouse with a simple yet festive pattern might be all you need. Prints themed to the occasion include stars and fireworks. Match it with a metallic jean if you want to add a little shimmer.
8. Make your accessories shimmer. Diamonds and similarly sparkly stones add class and glitz to your ensemble. A little can go a long way. Try a pair of simple diamond posts or a pendant with a diamond charm.
9. Add some costume jewelry speckled with colored gems. Chunky colored gemstones can add a little bit of festive flair to your outfit. Look for a thick bangle bracelet covered in gems or a long beaded necklace.
10. Choose a centerpiece accessory. You can get away with some large, flashy jewelry for the occasion, but there is still such a thing as "too much of a good thing." Instead of wearing several large pieces of jewelry, find one piece that can take center stage—like extravagant chandelier earrings or an ornate necklace—and keep the rest of you jewelry, if you wear any, simple and subdued.
11. Carry a glittery clutch. The clutch is the classic party purse. Look for one with a solid gold or silver shimmer, or spice things up with one covered in sequins or glitter.

Make Your Eyes Sparkle

1. Paint your nails. If you already have a sparkly dress, keep things simple with a solid yet colorful hue on your fingers. On the other hand, a glitter nail polish works well with your little black dress or solid color ensemble.
2. Give your cheeks a healthy glow. Apply a little blush or bronzer to the apples of your cheeks to bring color and life back to your skin.
3. Create some drama with smoky eyes. Layer on dark eyeliner and mascara before brushing various shades of gray, brown or black shadow over your lids. Incorporate a little color by selecting a colored eyeshadow in a deep, rich shade.
4. Wear red. Many women may hesitate to wear red lipstick, but most can find a shade that flatters their skin tone with enough searching. Red lipstick adds drama and makes a statement, which makes it the perfect addition to an eye-catching New Year’s Eve outfit.
5. Coat yourself in glitter. Look for an eyeshadow or lipstick previously infused with glitter, or brush a light coating of glitter dust over your cheeks or along your collarbone. Do not overdo it, though. Pick one feature to accentuate with glitter and only apply a light amount.

Dance the Night Away

1. Look for a metallic heel. A solid metallic gold, silver, or bronze is an effective way to add shimmer and shine to your look. For a bolder option, check out a pump covered in glitter or sequins.
2. Try out a sturdier heel. Platforms and booties may make it easier for you to dance and move around in, especially if you are not used to narrow stick heels.
3. Look sexy in a little strappy number. High heels covered in straps have a festive, flirty ambiance and look great with many cocktail dresses.
4. Opt for flats. If comfort is your main concern, a flat adorned in sparkles or colored gems makes a wonderful alternative to a heel.

Tips

• Know your audience. If you plan on ringing in the New Year at home with your husband and kids, you may want to ditch the formal clothes and consider a pajama party, instead.

Things You’ll Need

• Dress
• Skirt
• Top
• Dress trousers
• Metallic jeans
• Jewelry
• Clutch purse
• Cosmetics
• Heels
• Flats