Julie Player
Whether you're heading out to a party or hanging out on your sofa, seeing in the New Year is the perfect excuse to dress up - after all, if you can't wear your best New Year's Eve outfit to see in 2025, when can you?!
How are you seeing in 2025? No matter how you plan to spend the evening - on the dancefloor with a cocktail in hand or on your couch watching the fireworks - it’s a time to say goodbye to the past year and welcome what lies ahead - selecting the right outfit from your winter capsule wardrobe can help you set the correct tone. What you choose to wear will depend on your plans, but getting the right balance between glamour and comfort is essential.
If you are invited to a gala dinner or smart party, you can re-wear one of the best Christmas party outfits. The secret to looking and feeling your best in your New Year's Eve outfit is to start with the foundations, so make sure you're wearing the best shapewear to give you added confidence - you'll feel supported and sculpted under your eveningwear and look fabulous to boot!
If your plans are more low-key - such as a kitchen disco at home - you can dress for comfort while still adding a nod to the occasion in embellished knitwear and a pair of soft velvet trousers or team your best cashmere jumpers with something sparkly for a touch of casual luxury.
Best New Year's Eve outfits
1. What to wear on New Year’s Eve: house party
If you're heading to a house party with friends, the relaxed and fun evening ahead can still be the perfect opportunity to dress up in your best New Year's Eve outfit and there's nothing more casual cool than a laidback take on Yves Saint Laurent's classic Le Smoking. Originating in 1966, this cool take on borrowed from the boys is one of the one of the spring/summer fashion trends to look out for in 2025 - so you'll be starting off the New Year on a stylish high!
Just like classic women's trouser suits, the great thing about investing in a tuxedo is that there are a multitude of ways to wear it - style it with a silk camisole, statement jewellery and high heels for a night on the town ,or team it with a simple cotton tee and your best white trainers for a relaxed take on tailoring.
A definitive single-breasted style with satin trim will be a reliable addition to your capsule wardrobe - this velvet take on the classic style from Reiss adds an extra layer of luxury to the look.
RRP: £148 (was £278) | Made from luxurious velvet fabric with satin lapels, this tuxedo jacket is the epitome of glamour. Available in both regular and petite fit, wear it with matching trousers or throw over a strappy party dress as a cool cover-up.
RRP: £98 (was £178) | The matching trousers are cut with a wide leg and high-waisted silhouette, creating a streamlined silhouette. Dress them up with dressy flats to give the look a feminine edge for your night out, or trainers and your best cotton t-shirt in 2025.
RRP: £260 | Add a hint of colour to your black tuxedo outfit with this rainbow hued take on the tennis necklace from Kate Spade. Made of tiny twinkling stars, it will be the perfect delicate finishing touch to your New Year's Eve outfit.
2. What to wear on New Year’s Eve: cosy night in
If you’re staying in and celebrating at home on New Year’s Eve but still want to elevate your usual look to suit the mood, there are plenty of options that combine comfort with glamour.
Try mixing your party separates with more casual items in your wardrobe. Here’s where you can embrace embellished knitwear paired with jeans or fancy loungewear with sequinned trousers. “If you are staying in with family and friends for dinner, and telly, a cosy cashmere set with some sparkly jewellery is always a great option,” suggests fashion PR and Instagram influencer, Marie Louise Pumfrey.
Finally, take a style note from celebrities rocking ballet flats and finish your look with a metallic pair - these are party shoes that your feet will thank you for!
RRP: £30 (was £60) | Oliver Bonas' fashion offering is on point every season - this Harlequin-inspired metallic knit is jazzy enough to get you in the party mood but will also work throughout the year for those moments that you want to shine.
RRP: £59 (was £120) | Mint Velvet's leopard jeans were a summer sellout and for winter the brand has bestowed these awesome wide leg trousers in a pale shimmery pewter. The relaxed fit is the ideal for those moments when you want to be comfy AND sparkly.
RRP: £66 (was £110) | The finishing touch for the best New Year's Eve outfit has to be a pair of metallic shoes - this pair from Boden will make sure you're a twinkle toes for the evening without compromising on comfort - perfect for a kitchen disco!
3. What to wear on New Year’s Eve: NYE wedding
There's nothing we love more than a winter wedding and if you are lucky enough to be celebrating love as the clock strikes midnight, this is definitely occasion for your best New Year's Eve outfit to be on show! If you're looking for an alternative to the best wedding guest dresses, why not consider donning a jumpsuit for the celebrations?
From sequins and jewel-coloured satins to cool details such as one-shoulder cuts, strapless styles and added capes, the best jumpsuits will make you stand out as the best-dressed guest without a doubt.
Charlie Bell, Deputy Fashion Editor at woman&home says advises: "If you opt for a style with a dramatic neckline or detailing such as a cape, it's best to pare back on your accessories - a simple clutch bag, and heels will complement your outfit without overwhelming it. When it comes to jewellery, keep it simple too - go for one statement cuff or earrings and avoid cluttering the neckline for a streamlined look."
RRP: £120 | Made of shimmering beads, the Zenni bag is the perfect party bag to complement your New Year's Eve outfit. The loop handle means it can sit in the crook of your arm hands-free while you celebrate.
RRP: £115 (was £229) | While we don't advocate drawing attention from the bride, this stunning navy satin crepe jumpsuit from Karen Millen will ensure you're the most stylish guest at a New Year's Eve wedding.
RRP: £32 | While it may have a high street price tag, this statement chunky gold cuff from & Other Stories will add a touch of designer-inspired style to your best New Year's Eve outfit. Wear it alone for maximum impact.
4. What to wear on New Year’s Eve: dinner party
Heading out for a gourmet dinner and drinks? A trophy jacket is the perfect item to add to your New Year's Eve outfit. As you'll be sitting down, how your outfit looks from the waist up is crucial to consider. Look for options in sumptuous fabrics such as silk, tweed or velvet with a smattering of sparkle.
Metallic fabrics are a great option as they'll act as a neutral, meaning you can pair the jacket with a variety of options underneath. With such a statement piece on show, keep whatever is underneath simple but stylish - a classic silk maxi dress cut on a bias is both flattering and chic.
To draw attention upwards, why not go for a pair of statement chandelier earrings that echo the colours of your outfit, tying it all together? Our Monica Vinader top picks will take the hassle out of shopping for that final piece of the outfit puzzle.
RRP: £37 (was £79) | Made of expensive-looking tweed and scattered with gold sequins, this bomber jacket is the epitome of sports luxe styling. Once the party's over, wear with your most comfortable jeans for a cool off-duty look in 2025.
RRP: £195 | This gorgeous rich green satin maxi dress from Ghost will work just as well in the summer as it does in winter. The gathered detail under the bust offers a subtle fit and flare shape to enhance your silhouette.
RRP: £19 (was £38) | Studded with pearls, diamanté and green stones, these beautiful celestial chandelier earrings will be a standout piece in your New Year's Eve outfit, drawing the eye upwards.
5. What to wear on New Year’s Eve: black tie
For those heading to a Black Tie event such as a Gala dinner and dance, now is the time to go big or go home with your New Year's Eve outfit. A Black Tie dress code typically means that men are expected to don a Tuxedo while women should wear a floor-length dress for this semi-formal event.
While it can be daunting, try to embrace this chance to dress up - why not take inspiration from Cat Deeley's NTA red dress and go for a statement style? The key is to let the dress be the star of the show, so complete your look with delicate earrings and chic metallic heels that won't detract from your showstopper frock!
RRP: £295 | When opting for a statement dress, keep your earrings subtle but sparkly. These delicate quartz drop earrings from Otiumberg will complement your fabulous dress without detracting from it.
RRP: £149 (was £249) | This stunning sculptural gold dress from occasionwear favourite Phase Eight will turn heads for all of the right reasons! From the ruffled one-shoulder neckline to the fit and flare mermaid skirt, you'll look a million dollars.
RRP: £119 | In a chic metallic gold and encrusted with delicate crystals, these dazzlers from Kurt Geiger will have you dancing the night away thanks to their very manageable heel height of 7cm.
How to choose an outfit for New Year’s Eve
Regardless of your age, the key to dressing successfully for New Year’s Eve is to consider how you will be celebrating and plan your wardrobe accordingly. Thinking ahead and planning your outfit will reduce stress levels and give you time to consider what you already have in your wardrobe and how you can add or improve your options with a new key item or accessory. Designer dress rental for a one-off celebration can be a more affordable and more environmentally friendly option, if you allow yourself the time to plan ahead. Don’t forget to consider your footwear too - take inspiration from the most comfortable wedding guest shoes if you'll be dancing into 2025!
If you want to treat yourself to a new outfit look out for the key trends with embellished or metallic fabrics for partywear or cosy items like lush knits for more relaxed celebrations.
Marie Louise is planning to celebrate at a drinks party with friends. “There will be some dancing too,” she comments, “as a group of 50-somethings we all like to dress up and sparkle. I’m big on comfort these days. I no longer tolerate painful shoes or squeeze into ill-fitting clothes. I love stretchy fabrics,” she continues. “I recommend looking into your wardrobe and pulling out your favourite pieces and start planning early. Especially with the sales in mind, in case you need to add in any extra styling details like a designer belt or cute evening bag. Then when the sales start on Boxing Day, you can be ahead of the game and snap up something fabulous.”
In addition to being prepared and not leaving the outfit decisions to the last minute, Marie Louise suggests turning the day into an excuse for some indulgent self-care. “Get yourself to the hairdressers for a professional blow-dry,” she suggests. “Having fabulous salon-done hair is the biggest game changer for me, in terms of feeling wonderful, and looking groomed.
FAQs
Can I wear jeans on New Year's Eve?
While Black Tie and more formal events will have a strict dress code that will frown upon turning up in jeans, if you're heading to a more casual gathering such as a house party or dinner, you can probably get away with your favourite pair of true blues.
If you want to smarten up your denim, opt for a pair in a dark wash such as black or indigo. Whether you're wearing your favourite slimming jeans or a pair of on-trend barrel leg jeans, the rules for dressing up denim remain the same. Balance this casual staple with smart separates and great accessories - a pair of great shoes plus earrings alongside a pretty top or trophy jacket will have you feeling just as glamorous as you celebrate in style.
What colour do you wear on New Year's Eve?
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to what colour to wear for the best New Year's Eve outfit - from playing it safe in a little black dress to stealing the show in a glamorous floor length sparkler, wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident. If you struggle with body confidence, why not add the best shapewear under your outfit to streamline your silhouette or don one of the most stylish dresses to hide a tummy? After all, when you feel great in your outfit, it will shine through as you step into 2025!
As deputy fashion editor at Future plc, Charlie works across multiple women’s magazines including Woman & Home, Woman and Woman's Own, ensuring she has her finger on the pulse. Beginning her career in the magazine industry in 2009, Charlie has written for titles including Stylist, Closer and Dare. With a weakness for a printed midi dress, Charlie is on a mission to shop more sustainably and loves finding new ethical brands and second-hand buys.
Marie Louise Pumfrey is a pro-age fashion influencer, sharing her grown-up guide to style, beauty and wellness to over 37,000 followers. From styling tips, outfit ideas, beauty buys and wellness tips, Marie Louise also has her own London based fashion PR consultancy MLPR. Some of Marie Louise's career highlights include working on the launch of the first Australian Fashion Week, and Channel 5.
