The big she-bang. The mother of all events (post-high school/pre-wedding, that is).
New. Year’s. Eve.
I was born on NYE, and given my penchant for dressing up over down, you know I’m game for this.
I say round up your friends and dress to the 9’s. This night only happens once (each year). You’ll be the fanciest girls at the party and/or bar, and there’s no better time to attract attention than NYE (unless you’ve had one too many glass of champers). Staying in? Who cares? Ring in 2011 in stilettos and something that looks like it should be photographed for a Glamour spread.
My initial idea is a really fabulous cocktail dress in a notice-me color (or print, or with embellishments like sequins), opaque tights, skyscraper heels (buy some roll-up flats and shove them in your purse for the ride home) and one piece of mega-jewelry (okay, maybe two).
Let’s cover some show-stopping basics first:
1. Betsey Johnson Belle of the Barre dress ($398)
2. Forever Unique Halle dress ($300)
3. Ruche Watch Me Shine dress ($45)
4. Nicholas Kirkwood ($1,170)
5. Steve Madden Kattrina ($99)
6. Sam Edelman Lorissa ($199)
How amazing is this beige and black Betsey Johnson (1)? Love the ombré; love the black in the center (tiny-waist-illusion). This dress is great for most body types, from straight to pear-shaped. The Sam Edelman’s are to die for; I love the sweet nude leather paired with the tough spikes and studs. The perfect mix of demure and sass.
This blue and black Forever Unique number (2) is perfect for NYE. The embellished bodice is very festive, and the flyaway crinoline skirt is flouncy-fun. Big bonus: the dress is very forgiving in the waist, so your champagne belly won’t show. 😉 The blue mood is complete with these bright Steve Madden’s (5), but if you’re feeling adventurous (and NYE is the best time for ballsy, don’t you think?) you can slip into a red or purple stiletto for extra pop.
A classic black tank dress is punched up to NYE standards when covered in sequins, yes? Ruche’s version (3) is super flattering, but when you go basic black you’ve got to up the game on the shoe side of things. Which is why these Nicholas Kirkwoods (4) are beyond fabulous. They look a little odd, but trust– they are so incredible on. Pick something equally bright/crazy/loud from your shoe arsenal and party down.
Because it’s the middle of winter and you can’t go out in a strapless cocktail and stilettos, consider the following:
Opaque tights, a great blazer and a few statement pieces of jewelry will be perfect additions to your NYE ensemble. I know the tendency is to grab every piece of sparkle you own and throw it on, but show just a little restraint. You can be a little more flashy than normal, but remember– you’re not headlining a show in Vegas.
What are your New Year’s Eve plans? Are you pulling out all the outfit stops?
LOVE LOVE LOVE the blue Dress! SO gorgeous. If only I had the Money! Can’t wait to get dressed up and spend your birthday/ NYE with you and the family!
Love, love, love the blue!
Your best post yet in the series- what a way to cap it off! I’m with everyone else- that blue dress is stunning!
Happy New Year!
Great post! Those nude pumps with the studs are amazing!
sooo amazing, im loooving these looks…soo glitzy and perfect for the holiday. i adore that deep blue number 🙂 how was your new years? wishing you an awesome 2011 😉
Great post!
Who are those purple dangle earrings by? They are sooo pretty!!
Danielle-
They are cocktail earrings by FineJewelry.com.
Totally just found them browsing the web- the price is a little steep for cocktail jewelry, but they are really pretty! 😉