Some might argue that there is even more pressure applied to the New Year's Eve outfit than there is to the actual New Year's Eve plan. As a fashion editor, I'm biased, but I agree. If you look fabulous and feel glamorous, then there is no way you could ring in the New Year in a bad way, no matter where you are or what you're doing. That's somewhat of a good feeling because there's a sense of control. What could go wrong if your outfit is so right?
But it's not necessarily easy to come up with a great New Year's Eve outfit—that'll alleviate the immense pressure put on the holiday—on a whim. We've found it's easiest to create a mood board of looks you've loved throughout the year but perhaps deemed too fancy for you day-to-day look. New Year's Eve is when you can look as extra or editorial as possible, even if you're just hanging with your best friends on the couch.
Below, we've compiled some of our favorite looks from the year worn by five stylish It girls. You're more than guaranteed to end 2025 on a good note if you channel one of these.
Zoë Kravitz in a black mini lace dress, black pumps, and an ankle bracelet
This look is sultry and simple, which is exactly why it's perfect. It's maximal impact for minimal effort, and the ankle bracelet is a nice way to add some bling that doesn't feel like too much.
Lola Tung in a funky statement dress, a patchwork shoulder bag, and ballerina sneakers
If you want to do something a little more out there that you know other people won't be wearing, opt for a funky statement dress by an emerging designer. That's what Lola Tung did while doing press for The Summer I Turned Pretty earlier this year, when she opted for this fresh 404 Studio dress. Ballerina sneakers are the perfect footwear choice that'll also make it easy to dance all night without looking too casual.
Dua Lipa with a long black dress, peep-toe pumps, and a leopard-print bag
Leopard print is a neutral and you cannot tell us otherwise. But even that being said, wearing allover animal print can sometimes feel like a bit much, and it can be tricky to accessorize. So why not do as Dua Lipa did and wear a simple slinky black dress and peep-toe pumps with an animal-print bag? It's a classic look you can easily throw together that lets the accessory do the talking.
Chloë Sevigny in a Brat-green shift dress with a bejeweled collar, stockings, and sharp heels
Brat green was never over, and it is very much still happening. Considering Charli XCX has a film coming out at the end of January 2026, it'll likely only get bigger again once the New Year settles in. So this Chloë Sevigny look from the Gotham Awards earlier this month has been on our mind. A Brat-green dress feels extremely 2025 without feeling overdone, and a statement-collar necklace, stockings, and knife-sharp heels help give it that "365 party girl" feel.
Rosalía in a sheer white dress with an angelic feather scarf and statement heels
Rosalía has been looking angelic always but particularly since her album Lux came out. And who doesn't want to look like an IRL angel? Maybe you were on the nice list this year and want everyone at New Year's Eve to know. This is the perfect way to do that. And when else do you get to wear a sheer dress and a over-the-top fluffy or feathered scarf?
