LaPointe New Year’s Eve Outfits: Sequins, Feathers and Fringe

New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year when there is no such thing as too much. It is also the night you will spend longest in your clothes, from an early dinner to a countdown to the walk home. The best New Year’s Eve outfit is the one that is spectacular at midnight and still comfortable at two in the morning.

LaPointe is one of the few houses that makes both halves of that brief. Here are the pieces we would choose for every kind of New Year’s Eve, and how to wear them.

What should you wear on New Year’s Eve?

Something that catches light. Midnight happens in low light with a lot of flashes, and the pieces that photograph best are the ones with a surface: sequins, crystal, metallic satin, fringe. Feathers are the other answer, because they move, and movement reads as celebration in a photograph.

After that, plan for the length of the night. If you will be standing, choose something you can stand in. If you will be dancing, choose something with room to move. A short dress with a heel you can dance in beats a gown you have to hold up.

The sequin mini

The classic New Year’s Eve outfit for a reason. The Rhinestone Fringe Boatneck Mini Dress in Black / Bronze is the strongest piece in the current LaPointe range for the night: a boat neck mini covered in rhinestone fringe that swings as you move. It needs nothing else but a sheer tight and a simple heel.

For a softer finish, the Lightweight Satin Layered Mini Dress With Feathers in Mulberry layers satin with feathers at the hem. Mulberry is a good alternative to black on a night when every second dress will be black.

The sequin trouser

For a party where you will dance, trousers are the better choice. The Mesh Sequin Wide Leg Pant in Black is a full sequin trouser cut wide, so it moves well and is comfortable for hours. Pair it with the matching mesh sequin mock neck top for a head to toe column, with a plain black bodysuit to let the trouser lead.

The same set comes in Ecru, a warm ivory sequin that looks like champagne under party lights.

The crystal set

If you want to be the most dressed person at the party, the Geometric Crystal Fringe Cropped Top in Silver with the matching crystal fringe skirt is a two piece covered in crystal fringe. It is a statement, and it is the kind of outfit people remember. Each piece also works alone, with a black trouser and a black top respectively.

The feather top

For a dinner and a countdown at home, a feathered top with a satin trouser is the most comfortable way to look festive. The Cascading Feather Embellished Cropped Tank in Dark Teal has feathers that cascade from the neckline, and it pairs with the Satin Relaxed Pleated Pant in Black. Read our guide to LaPointe feather tops for more.

The gown

For a black tie New Year’s Eve, a sequin gown is right. The Net Mesh Sequin Tank Gown in Silver is a slim column of silver sequin on a sheer mesh base; it is as festive as a gown gets while staying simple in shape. See the LaPointe sequin dresses guide for what to wear underneath.

What shoes do you wear on New Year’s Eve?

A heel you can stand in for six hours. A block heel, a platform, a low stiletto: anything you have already worn for a full evening. Bring a flat in your bag for the walk home. With a sequin trouser, a pointed shoe peeking from the hem is enough.

How do you keep warm?

New Year’s Eve outfits are rarely warm and the night is usually cold. A long coat over a short dress is the most elegant answer. LaPointe makes several, from the Satin Double Breasted Coat With Fur in Black to the Faux Mongolian Jacket in Burgundy. See our guide to LaPointe coats and jackets.

For more ideas across the whole Coveti edit, read how to wear sequins for the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear to a New Year’s Eve party?

Choose something that catches light, such as sequins, crystal, metallic satin, fringe and feathers, in a shape you can stand and dance in for several hours. A sequin mini dress, a sequin trouser with a plain top and a feathered top with satin trousers are all strong choices.

Are sequin trousers a good New Year’s Eve outfit?

Yes. A wide leg sequin trouser is festive and more comfortable for dancing than a short dress. Wear it with a matching sequin top for a full column, with a plain bodysuit to keep the attention on the trouser.

What colour should I wear on New Year’s Eve?

Black, silver and gold are traditional. For something less expected, mulberry, ecru sequin and deep teal stand out in a room where most guests wear black while still reading as festive.

What is a dressy New Year’s Eve outfit that is not a dress?

A sequin wide leg trouser with a sequin top, a crystal fringe top with a matching skirt, and a feathered top with a wide satin trouser are all dressy alternatives to a dress.

How do I stay warm on New Year’s Eve in a party outfit?

Wear a long coat over the outfit and choose a fabric with some weight, such as satin. A coat with a fur collar keeps the neck warm without hiding a dress. Carry flat shoes for the journey home.

Does Coveti stock LaPointe sequin pieces?

Yes. Coveti stocks LaPointe sequin trousers, tops, skirts, mini dresses and gowns, including the mesh sequin and rhinestone fringe pieces, with UK sizing shown on every product page.

Read next

• What to wear to a gala
• LaPointe holiday party outfits
• LaPointe sequin dresses
• LaPointe coats and jackets

Written by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti.