Casual New Year's Eve Outfits That Still Feel Dressed Up

A casual New Year's Eve outfit is what you'd wear to a friend's place on any winter weekend, plus one thing that says it's December 31: satin, gold earrings or a heeled boot. A knit dress, or a satin skirt with a sweater, looks festive and stays comfortable until midnight.

Casual on this night still sits a step above everyday casual: a knit dress instead of leggings, ankle boots instead of sneakers. Below are casual New Year's Eve outfit ideas for four kinds of night. This page sticks to New Year's Eve; for any other party, see our casual party outfit ideas.

A casual New Year's Eve house party outfit

For a house party, wear a satin midi skirt with a fitted sweater and heeled ankle booties. It does the most with the least, because the sweater can be one you already own.

The satin midi skirt

The Amy Babe skirt is a satin midi with a side split and a hidden elastic waistband, in sizes X-Small to XX-Large. The elastic means you can still enjoy the snacks, and satin brings the shine a sweater can't. Tuck in a fine knit or wear a cropped one over it. The listing says hand wash only.

Heeled ankle booties

The DREAM PAIRS booties are faux suede on a 3-inch stacked heel with a zipper, in sizes 5 to 12, and the listing gives the shaft circumference as 11 inches. A stacked heel is easier to stand in all night than a stiletto, and these work with every outfit here that leaves the house.

Casual NYE outfit for drinks or dinner out

Out at a bar or a neighborhood restaurant, a turtleneck midi sweater dress with booties and long gold earrings is dressed up enough without trying too hard.

ZESICA's sweater dress is a ribbed turtleneck midi with long sleeves, in a viscose, polyamide and polyester blend, sizes Small to X-Large, and the listing calls it warm and not see-through. A midi looks a little more grown-up than a mini, and it covers more of you on the walk between places. Machine wash, per the listing.

With a turtleneck, a long drop earring does the job a necklace can't. PAVOI's teardrop drops are 14K gold-plated brass, 50 mm long (about 2 inches), with push backs.

A cozy New Year's Eve outfit at home

Staying in still deserves an outfit if you want one. A cable-knit sweater dress with thick socks is comfortable on the couch and still looks good in the photo at midnight.

The Langwyqu dress is a cable-knit turtleneck bodycon with rib-knit cuffs, in a viscose, polyester and polyamide blend, sizes Small to X-Large. A cable knit is about as cozy as a dress gets, and the fitted shape keeps it from looking like a sweater you slept in. The listing says hand wash only.

Add earrings and it's a New Year's Eve outfit, not loungewear. SHERLOVE's chunky knot drops are 18K gold-plated brass with push backs, and the listing calls them hypoallergenic.

Dressing for fireworks or an outdoor countdown

Outside at midnight, warmth comes first and the party look comes from the edges. Wear either sweater dress here with opaque tights, the booties or a flatter boot you can stand in for an hour, and your longest coat. Keep the earrings on and a hat in your pocket for the wait.

If your plans turn dressier, see New Year's Eve outfits for every kind of plan.