How will you be spending your New Year’s Eve? Perhaps you’ll be having a smaller celebration than usual this year? However you choose to ring in 2021, you’ll find the best New Year’s Eve outfits to choose from below, whether you are celebrating with a small, casual gathering, or you want to dress up.
Take a look below for plenty of New Year’s outfit inspiration whether you’ll be at home with family, enjoying a small party with friends, you are able to attend a more formal event, or you’re just heading out for a New Year walk.
First, some tips for putting together New Year’s Eve outfits
Just as there’s no right way to celebrate New Year, there’s no right New Year’s Eve outfit; so long as what you wear helps you to see in the New Year in the style and confidence you want to project for the year ahead.
1. Be unique
While Christmas tends to be a time of tradition, New Year is a time to make resolutions, try something different, be more daring and stand out.
Think about the style you really want to achieve in the year ahead, and dress accordingly.
You could add a touch of asymmetry to an outfit as another way to help you to stand out.
Karen (above) opts for a glamorous metallic dress that is sure to get plenty of compliments.
Check out these black dress options from Nordstrom and Amazon, and you can wear them with this similar pair of black pumps and earrings.
ALLSAINTS pleated high/low skirt
2. Don’t be uncomfortable

Style and comfort don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
As you will be celebrating until at least midnight, you won’t want heels you can’t walk in at the end of the night.
If you find stilettos uncomfortable, opt for block or kitten heels instead, or try a pair of statement loafers.
Ashley (above) chooses a pair of flat silver shoes which make an impact.
Recreate her outfit with this similar floral top, jeans, loafers and bag.
There are more ideas here on the most comfortable AND stylish heels to wear.
3. Think about how your New Year’s Eve outfit will move

Are you heading to a party? Will there be dancing? Don’t just think about how your outfit looks standing in front of a mirror, but how it will move with you.
You may like a dress which you can twirl in!
Anita (above) wears a cobalt blue dress which would look fabulous on the dance floor (or just to twirl around her kitchen!)
Get her look with this similar dress, cardigan, slingback shoes and necklace.
Ted Baker London houndstooth dress
4. Choose a hero piece for your New Year’s Eve outfit

If you are struggling for New Year’s Eve outfit inspiration, start with one piece and work from there.
That could be a sparkly pair of shoes or a fabulous pair of drop earrings.
Vanessa (above) opts for a statement skirt from ASOS. Complete recreating look with this similar blouse and sandals.
The best New Year’s Eve outfits for you
Now that you’re thinking about the best way to put together a look for New Year’s Eve, let’s get down to some serious inspiration.
These New Year’s Eve outfits have every eventuality covered, whether you are going out, staying in, or watching the fireworks with your kids or grandkids, if you’re able to.
Don’t forget to let me know what you’ll be wearing this New Year in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your outfit choices and what you’ll be doing to see in the New Year.
NYE outfit: A sequin blazer and pants
While sequin dresses will be seen aplenty on the dance floor on New Year’s Eve, how about taking the sequin trend and going for something different.
A sequin suit will make an even bigger impact. Plus, you can always wear your jacket and pants as separates throughout the rest of the year.

BLANKNYC puff sleeve sequin blazer – Club Monaco cowl neck silk top – Eliza J sequin flowy pants – Nine West pump – Nordstrom bow flap satin clutch – BaubleBar tassel earrings
NYE dress ideas: Statement dress and knee high boots

An easy outfit to put together which still creates a real impact is a statement dress which is either bold in color, pattern or fabric choice, worn with a pair of knee-high boots.
Mimi (above) adds a bohemian vibe to her lace dress by teaming with a faux fur vest.
Check out this similar dress, fur vest, suede boots, necklace and sunglasses.

COS printed bow-detail dress – Sam Edelman belted coat – VANELi knee high boot – Tory Burch leather crossbody wallet – Vince Camuto hoop earrings
Lace top and dark wash jeans
Jeans and a nice top is always a winning outfit when you don’t want to dress up too much, but you still want to look fabulous. The outfit below features a variety of textures for added interest.

Topshop velvet suit blazer – Chelsea28 lace long sleeve top – Vigoss bootcut jeans – Clarks leopard bootie – Nordstrom bow flap satin clutch – Argento Vivo linear drop earrings
A silk shirt and wide legged pants

Heading out to dinner rather than to a very formal party? How about teaming a silk top with wide-legged pants?
You can always add a little extra glamour with a faux fur topper and stylish jewelry.
Mo (above) looks incredibly stylish in her all-neutral outfit.
Check out this similar top, blazer, jeans, flats, handbag, necklace, earrings and sunglasses.

Vince silk blouse – ASKK NY wide leg jeans – CC Corso Como ankle strap pump – Sole Society leopard crossbody bag – Argento Vivo linear drop earrings
Navy jumpsuit and silver accessories
A jumpsuit is always a great way to stand out at any party where most people will be wearing dresses.
Add some seasonal style to yours with metallic accessories.

Urban CoCo blazer – Donna Ricco belted cowl neck jumpsuit – ZAC Zac block heel pump – Nordstrom clasp minaudière – Karine Sultan linear drop earrings
Sequin top and your favorite pants

Sequins always come into their own during the party season.
Madeline (above) wears a figure-flattering top in a striking shade of red that is sure to get her noticed for all the right reasons.
Check out these sequin top options from ASTR the Label and Spadehill, and you can wear them with this similar pair of pants, sandals and clutch.

Cinq à Sept puff sleeve top – Ming Wang ankle pants – Vince Camuto square toe sandal – Tory Burch leather crossbody wallet – Karine Sultan linear drop earrings
A cozy coat and leg lengthening jeans
If you want to stay warm and look great, then a wool coat will keep you cozy until you get to your party venue.

VERO MODA wrap coat – COS silk vest top – Cinq à Sept flare jeans – Steve Madden rhinestone bootie – LiaTalia hobo bag – Argento Vivo hoop earrings – Kate Spade New York pendant necklace
A sweater dress

Want to wear a dress, but want to be warm and not too dressed up, then a sweater dress is the perfect option.
Adaline (above) opts for a black sweater dress and matching over-the-knee boots, showing off just a little bit of leg.
Recreate her outfit with this similar sweater dress, boots, clutch, earrings and sunglasses.

Fraiche by J tie waist dress – Jag Jeans faux leather leggings – Sole Society leopard crossbody bag – The FLEXX quilted boot – Clarks leopard bootie – Kate Spade New York pendant necklace
Bohemian glamour
A touch of faux fur is always a good look during the festive period. Add a short faux fur jacket to your jeans or to a full skirt, depending on how “dressy” you want your outfit to be.

Simplee faux fur jacket – BOSS sleeveless sweater – Scotch & Soda burnout skirt – Tory Burch leather crossbody wallet – Nine West riding boot – Argento Vivo linear drop earrings
Warm coat and cozy sweater

You may not be spending your New Year’s Eve indoors at a glitzy party.
If you are outside watching fireworks with family or friends (if you’re able to this year), you will want an outfit that is both warm AND stylish to keep you warm. Or perhaps, you’re simply heading out for a winter walk.
A long coat will get you noticed while keeping you cozy.
Joanna (above) looks stylish AND warm in her gold puffer coat worn with leather leggings.
Check out this similar coat, sweater, leather leggings and booties.

Lauren Ralph Lauren belted coat with faux fur collar – Chelsea28 cowl neck sweater – Nine West riding boot – Vigoss skinny jeans – Frye leather bag – Kate Spade New York pendant necklace
Cozy but stylish loungewear
2020 has certainly been different! Perhaps you’re not going anywhere at all to see in 2021. If you’ll be at home, maybe with family or friends, or with a good movie and a glass of something bubbly, you can still look incredibly stylish in your loungewear.

Barefoot Dream cardigan – rag & bone cheetah printed t-shirt – Lulus lounge pants – UGG slipper
There’s more inspiration in this article on the best loungewear for women over 40.
Your New Year’s Eve outfits together in one capsule
Below you can see the outfits used in this article together in one capsule. You can see you can mix and match many of the clothes and shoes to create plenty of different outfits for New Year’s Eve and beyond.
You could, for example, wear the faux fur jacket with the jeans or the sequin pants. Or, you could wear the red sweater dress over the white pants, or the sequin sleeve top with any of the bottoms.

More New Year’s Eve outfit inspiration for you
The capsule below is previous season, but you can see that the looks included are timeless and should still give you plenty of inspiration for 2021.

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.
What will you be wearing for New Year? Don’t forget to tell me about your New Year’s Eve outfits in the comments below. Happy New Year!
Continue reading:
- How To Dress For A Christmas Party: 11 Outfit Ideas!
- The Best Cocktail Dresses In Stores Now – What Do You Think Of Number #5?
- What To Wear To A Winter Wedding
Like this article on the best New Year’s Eve Outfits? Share it on Pinterest

Feature image by Karen
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!
My husband and I get together with the same group of couples at a house party every year. I found a wonderful retro gold sweater with a subtle sheen and a back zipper! The back zipper may not be on trend right now but I love it and it takes me back to a style I wore in the ’90s. Black skinny cords, check, and I have an outfit I’m ready to celebrate in and be comfortable while being true to my style!