Welcome to my multi-part what-to-wear series on New Year’s Eve! Previously: New Year’s Eve Fashion Part Two: What to Wear That’s Not a Suit or Tie and New Year’s Eve Fashion Part Two: Maybe You Should Rock a Bow Tie
If you’re like me and you own infinity number of little black dresses and high heels, New Year’s Eve is awesome and really straight forward. On the other hand, if the idea of wearing a dress makes you feel a little queasy and/or oppressed, New Year’s can be sort of terrifying and stressful and maybe make you want to stay in all night and watch the ball drop with your roommate and seventeen cats. But never fear! I’ll be rolling out some sweet styles for the femmebutch, the not-butch not-femme, the androgynous, the totally butch and the scared shitless of looking fancy. Well, okay, let’s be real — I’ll do my best.
Some years you really want to go all out for the countdown to January 1st. You get dressed up all dapper, buy one to twelve bottles of champagne, rent a limo and maybe even travel to Atlantic City. The world is your oyster. But maybe not this year. Maybe this year you can’t decide between two sets of friends and you really just want to stay at home with your adorable new Great Dane puppy. Maybe. But just because you’re staying home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan the perfect outfit to ring in the new year.
What to Wear When You’re Staying Home
There are, of course, lots of different versions of staying at home for New Year’s Eve. First up is the most obvious one: blowing off New Year’s plans completely and watching the ball drop all alone on the couch. This is suspiciously the most fun ever. But what to wear when you’re all by yourself?
I suggest a fitted V-neck and the most comfortable jeans you own. That way you’ll look approachable when you open the door for delivery but you’ll still be as comfortable as possible. Alternatively, I always love a good tank top and yoga pants combo. This allows me to suddenly walk across the street to get pre-made cookie dough while still looking as though maybe I just returned form yoga class and/or a yoga themed New Year’s celebration. Sweatpants are also a great option if you don’t want to get grease from the popcorn on your jeans as you wipe your hand. I strongly suggest checking out Riese’s detailing for dressing alone in your apartment (from where I stole the image below) and the best sweatpants.
Alternatively, you could be settling in for a nice cozy New Year’s date night for two. If that’s the case, then you’ve opened up a whole new world. You want your girlfriend/partner/wife to know you enjoy and look forward to New Year’s with her just as much as a big party, but you want to be comfortable enough to inevitably end up eating in front of the TV.
I suggest going with a business casual look and wearing a V-neck sweater over a button up shirt with comfy jeans or slacks. I do not suggest wearing a tie because they’re uncomfortable and hard to take off in the heat of the moment. Also, a tie might put too much pressure on your honey to fancy it up when she wants to lay low. A V-neck over a button up looks casual but thoughtful and put together. Since it’s just the two of you, you don’t need to worry too much about wearing your nicest black button up or white sweater. Feel free to keep it simple and even wear one of your everyday plaids. The key here is to show thought in what you’re wearing making an At Home night a Date Night.
Best of all, even if it’s just the two of you, you and your honey could hilariously rock it over the top with 2012 New Year’s Eve glasses and party hats. I mean, have you considered getting plastic New Year’s necklaces for both of you? Nothing says romance like cheap party supplies.
Finally you might be spending the evening doing the most advanced form of staying at home: cooking for others. Cooking for others at your own home on New Year’s Eve is dangerous stuff. Usually anyone will arrive to a New Year’s evening in their fancy pants clothes so, unless you specifically tell everyone to dress mega casual, expect to do the same. You might even have to wear shoes which, I know, is totally ridiculous since it’s your house for god sakes.
The key though, is the apron. Regardless if you’re the skirt wearing sort, an apron can be the most important key to a host ensemble. Why? Because no matter what you serve or how last minute your planning was your friend(s)/family/that special someone will think you slaved over it all night. You can even rock a more comfortable outfit as the apron will lend you that put together look. If you’re more femme and want to wear a cutsie apron, you can wear it as your guest(s) are arriving and then literally leave the apron on all night. Every time someone points it out you just have to be all, “Oh my! I nearly forgot! Well, I’ve still got some things in the oven.” See?!? You can be pulling pizza rolls out of the freezer and slapping them on a pan and everyone will think you’ve gone through tons of spectacular party planning efforts.
If you want to really impress the girl of your dreams, maybe you should invest in a My Drunk Kitchen apron.
Regardless of your At Home plans, you’re sure to have a stellar night as long as you strike a balance between comfortable and snazzy when you suit up. Worst case scenario, it’s your house: you can always wear your birthday suit.
Feel free to ask me specific New Year’s Eve fashion questions on Formspring or through ASS messaging!
