New Year's Eve Dresses to Wear for a Proper 2020 Send Off
We found the one, I mean, 15 options.
Twenty-twenty is all about new goals and intentions, but before moving on, it's time to kiss 2019 goodbye with a party. (If you're laying low this year, though, I totally get it; chill at home in one of these cozy pajama sets instead.) To save you time plotting outfit ideas and hunting for a festive, NYE–worthy party dress, we hunted down a few sparkly, shimmery, stunning dresses. Whether you're attending a house party or throwing the most epic banger, we've found 15 dresses that will help you stand out on December 31st. Most can be re-worn to weddings, birthdays, and dinner dates with your S.O., meaning 2020 is looking to be a wallet-friendly year, too.
River Island Satin Shift Dress in Copper
A Silky Button Dress
You don't want to wear basic black, but a flashy red sequined dress isn't your cup of tea either. This dress is here to solve that fashion dilemma. The copper color is festive without feeling overwhelming, and the mini length is sexy, though you can add opaque tights and ankle booties if it's freezing. The silk material and buttons on the shoulder add some much-approved NYE detailing.
The Marc Jacobs The Disco Sequined Dress
A Striped Sequin Dress
This dress checks off all your NYE outfit requirements. Sparkles? Check. A mini length? Check. Colorful? Check. It's literally setting you up for success in the new year by helping you feel fabulous. Wear with pointed-toe ankle strap heels. Twenty-twenty never saw you coming.
Zara Mini Dress With Bow
A Backless Bow Dress
The best part about this dress is undoubtedly the back—a plunging cut and giant bow detail. This is an LBD that will definitely turn heads.
Cult Gaia Delilah Tie-Detailed Silk-Satin Mini Dress
An Asymmetrical Silk Dress
For a slip dress that's short and sweet, I pick this Cult Gaia option. It's cut from lustrous silk-satin and hugs your silhouette, but not in a smothering way. The asymmetrical hem adds a sultry vibe. Accessorize with gold hoop earrings from Shashi and this HVN fringe handbag.
Retrofete Gabrielle Dress in Magenta
A Sequin Wrap Dress
You don't need a disco ball—you're bringing the party in this shiny wrap mini dress. As soon as you take off your coat, all eyes will be on you and that's not a bad thing because now's the time to show off your dance moves. This is the ultimate New Year's Eve look.
Kate Spade Pearl Pavé Shift Dress
A Metallic Silver Dress
This pavé-embellished strap dress is simple enough to work for multiple occasions, like an office party or a New Year's Eve house party. Dress it down with tights, flats, and a cardigan. The look is elegant and timeless.
Prada Ruched Velvet Dress
A Velvet Dress
This velvet dress is ideal if you're celebrating NYE with your family and want something stylish...but also something grandma would approve of. The navy hue is an interesting alternative to black while side slits offer a subtle sexy detail. Repurpose for winter weddings, getting the most bang for your buck.
H&M Beaded Dress
A White Mini Dress
Swearing off colored sequins and sparkles this year because everyone wears that? Same. Go with this pearl beaded, white mini dress, which feels more subdued and elegant than the OTT alternatives. To add some color, opt for a fun heel like this.
Alice + Olivia Harmony Draped Satin Slip Dress
A '90s-Inspired Mini Dress
Using Kendall Jenner's love for minis as your NYE inspo? You can get that similar '90s vibe with this minimalist pink satin dress from Alice + Olivia. It has slim straps for a delicate touch and a cowl neckline to give the front some dimension. This look is the definition of fun and flirty.
Reformation Rey Dress
A Sweetheart Neckline Dress
The party you're attending on December 31st calls for a more formal dress code? Slip into this gorgeous emerald-colored Reformation midi dress. It has puff-shoulder sleeves, a smocked back bodice, and a sweetheart neckline to show off your décolletage. You'll look fancy but effortless.
& Other Stories Metallic Satin Midi Dress
A Metallic Gold Dress
Your go-to wrap dress now comes in metallic (thank god) to help you ring in the new year—comfortably. This dress features long balloon sleeves and a v-cut neckline to show off a delicate necklace or pair of statement earrings. Wear it with heels for GNO or with ankle boots to your S.O.'s family party.
Ganni Sequined Crepe Midi Dress
A Long-Sleeve Sequin Dress
This Ganni dress strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and fun, because really, what's a NYE party without sequins? Pair with strappy sandals or knee-high boots and your party outfit will be a solid A+.
Staud Vertigo Bow-Embellished Cotton Mini Dress
A Pantsuit Alternative
The guys can wear their boring ol' black-and-white tuxes. You have this baby. Staud's two-toned mini dress has a body-hugging design and a sweet bow that gives it a feminine vibe. Style with a pair of black mule heels and add another bow to your hair (à la Kate Middleton) because why not.
Olivia von Halle Issa Slip
A Slip Dress
Spice up a sexy slip dress like this one by adding a mesh top underneath. The double layer adds that fashion-girl touch to an otherwise simple look. If you'd rather wear the dress as-is, use it as a base to show off your extravagant jewelry. We're thinking this Oscar de la Renta necklace should suffice.
Pretty Little Thing Tarria Black Sequin Chain Choker Mini Dress
A Sequin Mini Dress
The quintessential NYE dress you can wear over and over again. The built-in silver choker takes care of your necklace needs for the night, so opt for dainty stud earrings and strappy sandals to complete your look.
Chloé Fringed Crocheted Cotton-Blend Maxi Dress
A Crochet Dress
Ending 2019 somewhere warm? (Lucky you.) This Chloé crochet number is your watching-fireworks-on-the-beach dress. Wear it with the accompanying slip or a bright swimsuit underneath as you sit back with a glass of champagne in hand.
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Marina Liao is the former fashion news editor at Marie Claire, where she covered celebrity style (from Meghan Markle to Katie Holmes), fashion trends, and shopping advice, plus conducted original interviews with industry insiders. She's now the Senior Commerce Editor at House Beautiful, where she owns coverage on deals and sales across home decor and accessories, in-depth product reviews on furniture and appliances, as well as news around new product launches since 2023. With help from leading designers and tastemakers, Marina spotlights quality products while tracking current design trends, a skill she’s mastered over six years in fashion media. Marina holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Stony Brook University, beginning her career in narrative-driven commerce coverage as an editorial assistant at PopSugar.
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