|

What To Wear For A Casual New Year’s Eve

It’s so fun to get all dressed up and celebrate the season, but if you’re like me, you’re finding more and more celebrations are casual. Holiday parties at friends’ or neighbors’ homes seem to be the order of the day for many of us, so I’m sharing some casual New Year’s Eve outfits with flat shoes.

I’m joining some stylish blog friends, Tania from 50 Is Not Old, Jo-Lynne from Jo-Lynne Shane, and Deborah from Fabulous After 40, to share some NYE outfit inspiration. My looks are on the casual side, and ifĀ I want to be comfy, I’m usually in flat shoes…especially if I’m at someone’s home.

STERLING SILVER NECKLACESMALL PAVE HOOP EARRINGS c/o …USE CODE JENNIFER25 FOR 25% OFFLIP PENCIL IN DOUBLE BOOKED –Ā  LIPSTICK IN DOUBLE BOOKED

This necklace has quickly become a favorite because I can adjust the length. I love wearing it long over sweaters, and I can slide the chain through the loop twice to shorten it when I want it to fill a neckline. The earrings are Dean Davidson’s new pave hoops in silver. They have a tiny bit of sparkling pave on the back of the hoop, so they’re great for every day or dressing up.

soft gray print blouse with gray faux leather pants
CARDIGANMETALLIC BLOUSEFAUX LEATHER PANTSBALLET FLATS

Metallic top

Soft shades of ivory and gray are a great alternative to black and dark colors this time of year. Most faux leather is black or brown, so I was happy to run across this graphite pair. They have a straight leg that doesn’t look spray painted on, which I appreciate because of the shine. If gray isn’t your thing, they do come in brown or black, too.

soft blouse with ivory and gray and plashes of silver
METALLIC PRINT BLOUSE

I paired them with a pale gray and ivory v-neck top with silver swipes. The sleeves are softly gathered and semi-sheer, but the bodice is fully lined, so I didn’t need a camisole. I love the subtle sheen from the silver in this print which is festive but not over-the-top glitz.Ā 

woman wearing festive top with faux leather pants and flats for new year's eve

Ballet flats

These Margaux Demi ballet flats are simple and easy on the feet. They come in sixteen colors, in narrow, medium, and wide sizes 5-14. I’m wearing Dove in wide. I discovered this brand several years ago when Travel and Leisure rounded up the most comfortable flats on the market, and this “demi” took first place in the ballet flats category.

If you prefer to dress up your outfit and need comfortable silver or gold shoes, I’ve rounded up the most stylish ones in this blog post.

I topped the outfit off with a lightweight cardigan in grey heather. I’ve got this cardigan in too many colors to count and wear it year-round. It’s a soft merino/acrylic blend that is easy to toss over so many things and doesn’t feel too warm to wear inside. It currently comes in eight colors, and they come out with new shades each season.

SEQUIN TOP mediumBLACK JEANSVELVET BIRDIES

Sequin top

Here’s another casual outfit I may pull out of the closet if we get a more festive invitation for either Christmas or NYE. Black jeans, a stretchy sequin top, and super comfy velvet flats. The top also comes in ivory white, which would be fun with a pair of white jeans and these flats.

To be honest, I’d feel overdressed in a heel if we’re at someone’s home for a party, so comfy flats are my favorite way to dress…plus my feet are much happier at the end of the night.

festive outfit for new years eve with flat shoes and sequined top

Black jeans

My black jeans are new, so they’re very dark, but if jeans aren’t your thing, you could always substitute ponte pants or something else with stretch. The holidays are when I pull out my grandmother’s earrings which are just enough sparkle with this top.Ā 

Velvet Birdies

These velvet Birdies feel like slippers. They’re my go-to flat for everything this time of year. They run wide, so they may not work for women with narrow feet. They have plenty of room in the toe box and never pinch my bunions!

A festive top is often all you need to create a casual New Year’s Eve outfit. I’ve rounded up a few more that caught my eye below.

Shop more festive tops!

Ā 

Other Ideas on What to Wear for New Year’s Eve

Head over to see what Tania from 50 Is Not Old, Jo-Lynne from Jo-Lynne Shane, and Deborah from Fabulous After 40 and see what they’re wearing for NYE.

Are you awake at midnight? We usually celebrate the ball dropping in NYC at midnight east coast time, which is 9 pm our time :).

Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.

49 Comments

  1. That light grey outfit brings out your beautiful blue eyes, Jennifer! I have been trying to add more grey to my wardrobe, and I love your examples. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    1. Merry Christmas, Ruth!

  2. Linda Foltz says:

    So many beautiful choices! So hard to pick just one.

  3. Love the grey on you!

  4. Joanne W. says:

    Jennifer…you look stunning in the grey sweater/cardigan ensemble.

  5. The light grey is a great color on you and also the silver jewelry.

  6. Lovely New Year’s Eve looks. I think they both look comfortable too. Thanks for the inspiration. Your hair looks fabulous too. Cheers to a New Year.

  7. Thank You for inspiration. Love the NYE outfits!! My best friends brother & sis in law always hosts a NYE party for neighbors and friends…I’m looking forward to putting together a cute , but comfortable outfit. We will be ringing in the New Year while watching the lights of San Francisco from their house in the East Bay hills…….looking forward to a better 2023……

  8. Elizabeth L says:

    I have those black velvet Birdie smoking slippers too & just love them at this time of year! They instantly dress up a pair of jeans, white shirt & blazer for daytime wear too. Havenā€™t worn heels in decades!

    1. I have a few tiny heels, but they seldom see the light of day anymore. Painful feet just aren’t worth it.

  9. Love all the festive tops. These outfits are perfect for the holidays. I almost always wear a sparkly sweater with black jeans and black boots. I have a diamond snowflake necklace and earrings that are so special to me. A gift from my late husband. Happy Holidays šŸŒ²šŸŒ²šŸŒ²

    1. Your necklace sounds beautiful!

  10. Love the outfits today, especially the stretchy, sequiny top and black trousers. Up here in the north, I’d probably substitute wool trousers in a narrrrow fit. One of the customs we have for casual parties (maybe New Yearr’s Day vs Eve) is that we don’t wear outside shoes in the house. One arrrives in snow boots, removes them in the mudroom, and wears socks in the house. Maybe we need sparkle socks LOL? I think your velvet Birdies would be great for NYE!

    1. Or sparkle slippers. When we lived on Vancouver Island, ladies arrived with slippers to wear.

  11. I loved the gray metallic top so much I didnā€™t even finish the rest of your blog until I ordered it! Besides New Years Eve I think it will look great under some of the blazers I wear to my meetings. Level things upšŸ˜Š

    1. Itā€™s a really pretty top!

      1. I love all of your looks! Sparkles make me feel happy… So fun!
        They grey top and sweater is perfect for any occasion.

  12. Really like your hairdo!

  13. Am loving your outfits Jennifer as well as your necklace (in photo one). Also hope you don’t mind me adding; for those of us who live well North of you instead of flat footwear that you may also wear outdoors, consider a pair of slippers as many are embellished now (or you can easily do yourself with the assistance of a mini glue gun) come in a variety of styles plus are easy on hardwood floors.
    -Brenda-

    1. Great point, Brenda. There are some really cute ones out now.

  14. Both outfits are so appropriate for the causal style parties.
    Can not go wrong with a bit of sparkle and black. I bought velvet leggings (not skin tight) with a beautiful light blue long sweater which has a giant poler bear who is wearing a light sparkly scarf. The bearā€™s back end continues from the front to the back. Tastefully done but fun. I love this outfit because it is not totally Holiday.

    1. That sounds so fun! I love polar bears.

      1. Me too! Your hair is so beautiful. Lovely lady!

  15. I love both of the outfits today, but I think the first one with the gray pants is my favorite. I see the faux leather pants on women and think they look dressy and atractive but I’ve never owned any myself. The gray is different! I do own the black denim pants from Talbots and find myself wearing black denim more this fall and winter than the blue denim. The black is just a bit dressier and find I can wear them almost anywhere. Thanks for the great looks today!

    1. Thatā€™s one of the reasons I love black denim! Itā€™s versatile

  16. Jennifer, love these ideas for a casual New Yearā€™s Eve. Nothing seems to be very fancy anymore! Love those gray pants and that pretty metallic top!

  17. What lovely outfits, Jennifer! And I love your new hairstyle.

  18. Beautiful outfits. The grey metallic top is especially flattering. I concur that most get togethers are of the casual nature anymore. Thank you for showing us outfits with real pants (aka; ones with a zipper and a fly). This is probably an unpopular opinion but Iā€™m a bit weary of seeing women in black yoga pants,
    NO MATTER THE OCCASION. All you see on the streets , in the stores are these ā€œpantsā€. I get it in yoga class, at the gym, walking the dog. But really, I donā€™t find them appropriate 24/7. Perhaps itā€™s just me. Thatā€™s it for my rant.
    Have a good day everyone.

  19. Violet OBrien says:

    Love the outfits you put together and love the glitz on the tops. Not sure if we will go anywhere on New Years Eve, however these ideas will be of help. Anyway you look great!!

  20. You look fabulous in those outfits Jennifer. I do so love a bit of sparkle this time of year. And I’m loving the graphite colour faux leather – I’m seeing the black everywhere and the grey would really stand out.

    1. I like that itā€™s a change from black too.

    2. Francesca B says:

      Gorgeous outfits thank you Jennifer. l love the first grey outfit especially and l love my Talbots Barely Boot black jeans you recommended so easy and versatile. On NYE night we tend to stay in and make cocktails and sit by a wood fire, play a game, then watch the event. Very rarely now do we make it to midnight!! Like my bed too much šŸ™‚ Happy week:)

      1. Glad to know we’re not the only ones. I hate to drive anywhere on NYE.

  21. You look fabulous Jennifer and what a tree! It’s beautiful! I have heard so much about those Birdies that I must give them a try. They look super comfy!

    1. You look so glamorous in all your outfits Deb!! I love them.

  22. Well, how many adjectives can I use to describe how simply gorgeous your stying choices are today! I appreciate the options for dressing elegantly while wearing flats. Itā€™s heartwarming to hear that you pull your grandmotherā€™s earrings out to add a festive touch too. I have a precious, small collection of holiday pins/broaches that my mother wore for years.
    Lastly, your current hair cut/style looks so modern and natural. I love it and your choice of makeup is so flattering too. Altogether, it creates an approachable style that is timeless.

    1. Thanks Jan. I have a few other pieces from my granny I need to pull out too. I feel so blessed to have them.

  23. Pat Patterson says:

    Good morning, great ideas for ringing in the new yearšŸ„‚. Black evening wear has always been my favorite look. Classics with a little sparkle, just perfect!
    Have a great day ladies

  24. I love how you put the cardigan over that first outfit, such pretty colors. And I’m always a fan of an all-black look!

    1. Agreed! Itā€™s hard to go wrong with all black.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *