Tailoring Fireworks: How To Dress For New Year's Eve

Whether you’re headed to a white tablecloth restaurant, a laid-back beach party or something in between, the biggest night of the year is a tailoring occasion ripe for the plucking. And after the year we’ve all had, we suggest there’s never been a better time to dress to the nines and ring in a bold new (sartorial) calendar.

The Formal Event: Suit

Heading to a fancy affair with cocktails and champagne and teeny weeny food that looks like art? We suggest opting for a suit, but unlike other formal events, we suggest that the celebratory status of New Year's Eve allows for a little more fun than a wedding or corporate event. Absolutely reach for a classic navy wool suit with a crisp white shirt if that’s your inkling, because it’ll never look bad, but feel free to choose something a little bolder if the mood hits you. Bold windowpane checks, cream linens, pastels and pinstripes - it’s all on the table for the biggest night of the year. Just remember that all the old rules apply - if the suit is a statement piece, don’t overcook the look with bright and patterned accessories.

The Semi-Formal Event: Blazer

If you’re heading to a proper event but it isn’t quite right for a suit, a safe bet is always a pair of well-tailored chinos or wool trousers with a sports blazer. Whether it’s a pastel linen, a woollen windowpane or a classic unstructured navy blazer, this is a fun, comfortable and stylish area for almost anyone. Have some fun with colour and accessories and add a knitted tie, a silk pocket-chief or a pair of loafers sans socks - it’s a party, after all.

The Party

There isn’t much difference between this look and the prior, but we suggest ditching the jacket and embracing colour with a pair of pastel chinos, a bright linen shirt, pop over shirt, tailored polo or a colourful pair of wheels. Resist the temptation to wear simple jeans and a tee like any other Saturday night. Keep it light, keep it well-fitted and high-quality, and you’ll be ready for whatever the night throws at you - whether it’s dance floors, house-crawls or unexpected kick-ons.

The BBQ

Not every NYE is a fancy affair, so it’s not worth pretending otherwise. If you’re ringing in the gong by the beach, a pool or a BBQ, dress for the occasion and don a pair of tailored shorts, loafers/boat shoes and an easy-breezy linen shirt. BYO sunnies and a big appetite.

For more advice and to see and feel our suiting fabrics first-hand, book an appointment with a personal InStitchu Stylist today.