New Year’s Eve: 13 Style Panel outfit picks for ringing in 2014 with panache
New Year’s Eve is the perfect time for statement making. Sartorially speaking, piling on the glitz and glam is never more warranted. While big time resolutions for 2014 percolate, it’s one last chance to go all out for the year. To help us raise a stylish glass to the New Year, 13 of our Style Panel members are sharing their outfit picks for tonight.
Question 84: What to wear for New Year’s Eve? Read the answers now! »
Or jump to: ALEX GRANT, VANCOUVER | AMBER DESILETS, LONDON | CARA MCLEAY, VANCOUVER | CEE FARDOE, PARIS | IVA GRBESIC, TORONTO | JILLIAN LANSKY, VANCOUVER | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KIRA PARAN, EDMONTON| MARTA TRYSHAK, TORONTO | MELANIE MORAIS, EDSON | MO HANDAHU, HALIFAX | NICOLE WILSON, TORONTO | NICHOLE ALABI, TORONTO
Cee Fardoe, 27
Paris via Vancouver | Coco and Vera
New Year’s Eve, like every night of the year, is all in what you make it. Personally, I’ve never been crazy about loud parties or crowded restaurants, so I most often spend the last night of the year at home, surrounded by my best friends, a lot of snacks and (more than) a few bottles of champagne. This year will be no exception, but just because my evening will be quiet doesn’t mean that my outfit will be. Beautiful clothes are meant to be worn and enjoyed, not to languish in closets waiting for a special occasion. Even if you’re spending New Year’s Eve over a game of Scrabble and a bowl of popcorn, put on a party dress. I know I will be!
Cee’s wearing: Vintage coat, Nicole Benisti Signature dress, Steve Madden heels, Sezane clutch, Olive + Piper necklace
Jillian Lansky, 26
Vancouver | The August Diaries
New Year’s Eve screams for some sort of sequin, paillette or sparkle. If you can’t wear it on tonight, when can you right? The best way to work this look is to use juxtaposition. Sequin statement dress? Keep the hair messy, makeup simple and jewellery almost non-existent. Or toughen it up with boots and layered necklaces. It’s all about taking a formal piece and making it work for your party or event. Happy New Year!
Mo Handahu, 29
Halifax | Lion Hunter
I’m opting for the very girly route to ring in the New Year. After seeing a few plus size bloggers rock a tutu and do it so well, I knew I had to try it out and do it big; and there isn’t anything bigger than New Year’s Eve! With 12 yards of tulle, a few other notions and a “wing it” mentality I D.I.Y’d my way to this navy piece of girliness that I can’t wait to wear to party 2013 away. Happy New Year everyone!
Mo’s wearing: Top, earrings and pencil skirt, Value Village. Tutu, D.I.Y. Shoes, Guess.
Kira Paran, 29
Edmonton | Northern Style
My New Year’s look is doing double duty this year as I have a wedding to attend with my husband. I think a lot of people, including myself, feel the pressure to wear something beyond fabulous that night. But in years past I have fell for the pressure trap and bought outfits that were not me. Consequently I felt uncomfortable all night. This year I’m sticking to what I like, wearing something I already know I feel great in! I felt this look was fun, playful and classic. I suggest taking a long look into your wardrobe to find a piece you already love and maybe purchase fun accessories to punch it up a notch. Everything to do with your look doesn’t have to be new for New Year’s eve.
Kira’s wearing: Chevron tank, J.Crew. Skirt, ASOS. Clutch, Ao3 Designs. Necklaces, Benevolent Jewels, J.Crew. Belt, Joe Fresh.Bow: Bath and Body Works.
Amber Desilets, 30
London, ON | Canadian Fashionista
Still looking for that last minute New Year’s Eve dress? The malls are still open for a few more hours and the quickest and easiest thing I could recommend for tonight would be a sparkly dress. Today’s the perfect day to go overboard with glitter, shine and sparkle, pair it with your favourite heels, add some fun accessories and you’re good to go.
Amber’s wearing: Dress, Forever21. Necklace, Cocoa Jewellery. Watch, Guess. Wristlet, Coach. Bracelet, Smart Set. Shoes, Aldo.
Marta Tryshak, 24
Toronto/Montreal | With Love Gabrielle
This time of the year adds a little sparkle to our everyday and a few new dresses to our wardrobe. After all she who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten! To me New Year’s Eve celebration is all about sparkle which is why this stunning champagne dress stole the show. I adorned the dress with a precious bow belt to accentuate my waist. For colder weather, every woman should also have a dress coat that can be worn over a dress or a pant suit. Each piece works as perfectly together as it does on its own. From holiday season to everyday, it is easy to transition even the most festive pieces. All you need is a touch of creativity.
Marta’s wearing: Everything by White House | Black Market and YSL ring.
Cara McLeay, 28
Vancouver | A Fashion Love Affair
I was lucky enough to spend my Holidays in Hawaii, so for me, it was all about looking festive in the tropics! I chose to pair sparkles with red—the perfect holiday look, no matter where you find yourself celebrating.
Cara’s wearing: Tank, Old Navy. Skirt, PartySkirts. Sandals, Alexander Wang.
Nichole Alabi, 27
Toronto | Nichole Alabi
In my early twenties I thought it was cool to go out and party with complete strangers at some super loud and super expensive club, but in the past few years I have been having dinner parties with great friends and friends-of-friends. This year I will be co-hosting one in Brooklyn, at a friend’s amazing apartment and rooftop. We’ve got cases of champagne, a menu of stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes and beef wellington, and a bunch of great friends for an intimate night!
Nichole’s wearing: Dress and headband, American Apparel. Jacket, H&M. Boots, Aldo. Bag, Tory Burch. Necklace, Zara.
Alex Grant, 25
Vancouver | To Vogue or Bust
I’ve actually never done the full-sequin look for New Year’s Eve so when this Free People dress kind of fell into my lap, I knew I had to go all-out to ring in 2014. Retro curls and a cat eye, Art Deco-inspired earrings and a vintage beaded clutch make it cocktail party-apropos; however, I’ll be headed to a slummier locale for the 31st, so by simply adding a leather jacket and swapping in beachier waves, the dress easily transitions into a more casual look too!
Alex’s wearing: Free People dress, Michael Kors heels, Jeweliq earrings, vintage clutch
Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents
No matter what I am doing, I know I that I want to wear something that glitters, and with a few essentials on hand (a fun dress and false lashes) I know I’m ready for whatever the night throws at me.
Instead of opting for the typical glitter dress like I’ve been known to do in the past, I decided to give my New Year’s Eve look an upgrade this year by opting for this sequin Aztec dress with its clever (and figure flattering) black panel in the back. With a busy dress like this one, black tights, loose curls and some false lashes complete the look. When opting for drama with the eyes I keep the lips neutral, and the makeup soft. Happy New Year!
Kayla’s wearing: Dress, Obviously Chic.
Iva Grbesic, 37
Toronto | Falling In Style
I don’t know what my plans are for New Year’s Eve, but I do know what I want to wear. Sometimes that’s just how it works: you find the outfit and the event will just materialize.
I almost exclusively wear fitted dresses with sleek lines. To usher in 2014 I am trying something different, a full midi skirt. I paired it with a thin sweater and it has a 1950s feel to it. Everything old is new again. Whatever your plans are for New Year’s Eve, have fun and may 2014 treat you well.
Iva’s wearing: Sweater, Anthropologie. Skirt, Imperial. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Belt, BCBG. Bracelets, J Crew.
Melanie Morais, 25
Edson, AB | BornLippy
I’m usually pretty prepared when it comes to New Year’s. I love having an excuse to dress up and wear something a tad sparklier. This year, my holiday plans were so last minute that I didn’t really get a chance to think about what I was going to wear. You can never go wrong with a LBD, and I found the perfect one that had a bit of edge with the sleeves. To make it a bit more holiday appropriate I added a great statement necklace. Since I’ll be somewhere warm this New Year’s, sandals and putting my hair is definitely my game plan. Here’s to 2014!
Melanie’s wearing: Dress, H&M. Necklace, Zara. Sandals, Zara. Watch, Michael Kors.
Nicole Wilson, 29
Toronto | Dainty Girl
For me, New Year’s Eve style has to be a combination of fashion and function. I know that wherever I end up, I’ll most likely be on my feet, dancing and maybe even venue hopping, so my outfit has to be comfortable and ready for anything! This year, I’m inspired to style a party look that brings together some of my favourite trends from 2013: leather and jewel tones. I found this bejewelled faux-leather shift dress at Forever21 and immediately fell for the glam-meets-edgy look with a comfortable and forgiving silhouette. I styled it with more sparkly baubles, ankle strap pumps and a little pink clutch with matching lips. The finishing touch will be a nod to the spring 2014 pastel trend: a soft pink boyfriend blazer that almost meets the hemline of the dress. Happy New Year everyone!
Nicole’s wearing: Dress, Forever 21. Blazer, Forever 21. Necklace, Ann Taylor. Bracelets: Ann Taylor. Watch, Caravelle New York. Clutch, Danier. Shoes, Le Chateau.
