The countdown to New Year's Eve is getting closer, and so is the time to plan your outfit for the last night of 2021. An explosive mix of sparkles and red-carpet glam is the most popular choice, but there is no rule. We encourage you to dress to impress as you are.

Ph. Inga Seliverstova, Pexels

Are you not sure about what to wear on New Year's Eve? No panic! The editorial team put together their best festive outfits in this NYE stylebook where the key denominator is your personality.

We did it many times: buying a shiny, daring, excessive New Year's Eve outfit and wearing it just once. Fashions Finest's team opened their wardrobe and picked their best NYE looks. Browse our unconventional lookbook for inspiration and tips to let your personality shine and save some money for the new year!

Bethan’s New Year's Eve Look

"My NYE look is styled with a 1960s' glamorous American housewife in mind," says Bethan Carrick, fashion historian and editorial intern at Fashions Finest - "think Mad Men's Betty Draper, my ultimate style icon. My plans for NYE are up in the air so I'm keeping my options open with this outfit but making sure I'm glowing. I have gone for a palette of luxurious golden hues which is tied together with a black Prada centrepiece - can you ask for much more? It is always important to me to match what I'm wearing on my feet with what I'm wearing from my neck and upwards: so these delicious jewel-encrusted Manolo Blahnik heels which no doubt are inspired by the court of Versaille are paired with an equally luxurious vintage gold pill necklace. To balance out the statement of gold I'm wearing a dainty Chanel cloche hat. These Batsheva orange dotted trousers signal to me where luxury meets comfort, which I am all about. Finally, wherever I will be it is going to be cold so I'll need a cosy jacket to take me through till 12 am and this Dior faux fur jacket is ideal. This outfit makes me feel like I'm going to gracefully glide my way through 2022. Cosy golden vibes only, please."

"I've chosen Vestiaire Collective to source my NYE look as I'm a big supporter of resale and believe it's the future of fashion. I spend a lot of time trawling through this site looking at beautiful garments that I hope to one day have money and space in my wardrobe to own."

Find Bethan's picks:
Top - Trousers - Coat - Necklace - Hat - Shoes 

Leila’s New Year's Eve Look

"This is an alternative and mainly vintage-inspired take on the New Year’s Eve outfit. It does not always have to be a dull sparkling glitter dress. Embrace the ‘90s and draw all eyes to you, while simultaneously supporting small independent designers and sustainability by shopping pre-loved."

Leila Katharina Kaess, international student and editorial intern at Fashions Finest, goes into more detail: "Snakedivine is an independent brand, based in Kassel, Germany and run by Rebecca. She studies free arts, makes tattoos and began to engage with CGI. Most of her items are unique single designs with an exclusively-limited batch of one to three pieces. This makes everything you buy extraordinarily special and individual. With one of these pieces, you are safe to avoid turning up in the exact same outfit some else is wearing. Rebecca is also keen on sourcing the fabrics from small sellers, remnant fabrics and second hand. The entirety of the range offered online is carefully crafted by hand. In an attempt to conquer fast fashion and overconsumption she invests a lot of time and creativity in every single piece. Thus, it is all the more devastating to see that a variety of her designs have been stolen, manufactured in horrible conditions and with synthetic materials, by the Chinese ultra-fast fashion brand SHEIN, to be sold for a few pounds. She is only one of several upcoming designers to be named. That is why we must support small and independent businesses!

The corset jacket by the infamous ‘90s brand Catwalk Collection is now considered deadstock, as those are not produced anymore, so you might want to get one as long as they are privately sold. A cute bralette underneath means that you could also open up the jacket or get rid of it entirely if you want to wear it as a top.

The well-beloved NODALETO platform Mary Janes pick up the jacket’s black velvet material, thereby creating a continued theme, as well as bringing top and bottom together coherently.

A cute little handbag to fit all the little things one needs when heading out are perfectly stored in this lovely vintage Vivienne Westwood bag. Vestiaire is always a good place to buy designer handbags since they are vintage (good for the environment and your wallet) and undergo testing for proof of authenticity by professional staff, which ensures that no dupes are sold. Lots of chunky silver jewellery and the eyecatcher, a huge Vivienne Westwood pearl choker, bestow the look with an edgy retro vibe. Also, notice how the cross earrings pick up the green colour of the bag, while the nail polish and lipstick match the colour scheme used in the trousers. Attention to little details like this compliment an outfit. This compilation can be used as inspiration, maybe you have some items in a similar, or would like to try your hand at an upcycling project."

Find Leila's picks:
Shoes - Bralette - Corset jacket -Trousers - Bag - Necklace - Earrings - Rings - Hairclip - Lipstick - Nail polish

Olivia’s New Year's Eve Look

"For me Christmas and NYE is the best excuse to wear a full outfit of glitter and this dress is the perfect example."  Olivia Brecque, editorial intern and Fashion Design Management student at the LCF, considers the holidays as the perfect time to do something good for someone in needs: "To get you in the Christmas spirit I decided to pick my outfits from Cancer Research in Islington as I believe there are endless choices of outfits in Charity shops, not only is it good for the environment but you are helping to raise money for a cause. This outfit in total cost 69£. Any pair of black boots that you own should do the trick as all the focus is on this glitter dress. I would like to thank the staff at Cancer research Islington for being so helpful and kind."

Olivia's top pick:
Earrings 
To make something meaningful this Christmas and NYE, visit Cancer Research UK.

Deborah New Year's Eve Look

"I have chosen a look from my wardrobe because I like the idea of thinking sustainably and reusing clothing rather than buying new clothes that I don’t really need." Deborah St. Louis, founder of Fashions Finest, is a champion in sensible fashion choices.

"Most of the items I have worn many times and in different ways. The ASOS top is a new purchase and I love the combination of burnt orange with the black floral design. The warehouse tan skirt is one of my favourite items which I have had for over 10 years so no longer available online but here is a similar look from Warehouse which I’m sure anyone could find in a charity shop for less than half the price.

I have finished my look with a selection of jewellery that I have had for many years and that will complement any look. Similar jewellery can be purchased at an affordable price from Accessorize. 

My go-to leather handbag has been with me since the '90s and it cost me around £20.00 back then. Here is an alternative from Ted Baker. My go-to heeled boots, which finish this look so nicely, find a similar alternative online at ASOS. 

Now I’m all set to step out and enjoy my NYE party with friends without even having to spend any money on an outfit."

Find Deborah's picks:
Top - Skirt - Handbag - Boots - Accessories 

Valentina’s New Year's Eve Look

"How things change... In the past, I was more bothered by the idea of celebrating the year leaving us rather than looking for party outfits and having fun. The fussy me was not ready to bid farewell to the year, especially if it was a generous one for me!

My NYE outfit idea has the typical broken student, my old me, in mind. Here is a versatile look that allows you to reuse the dress and any item in the new year, again and again. The OOTD plays around colours and feels making the '70s the decade of freedom, youth and carefreeness. The essential piece is this Reformation 'Briea' halterneck mini dress. Pattern, colour palette and neckline take inspiration from the party decade for excellence. Move around in this dress; as the silk flows, the cubed pattern acquires fluidity. Geometries break.
Reformation follows the Net Sustain 8 eco-conscious production keys. A candid ZARA faux fur jacket accompanies the dress to keep toasty and conceal the sensual open back. It is 100% artificial fur and crafted in line with the brand environmentally-friendly standards.

2021 footwear saw barely-there sandals and chunky heels alike. These vegan MONKI ankle boots give a strong sense of stability with their structured heel so your feet will thank you too!"

Valentina Chirico, chief editor at Fashions Finest, moves on matching jewellery. "The handpicked accessories recall the dress warm colour scheme: gold. NuebeStudio polymer clay drop earrings in the shade Sahara are a dainty touch of exclusivity and lush: 100% handmade with 14k gold leaf. Behind NuebeStudio is Noelia, a former Spanish model turned SEO marketer, then jewellery maker.

Gold is rather expensive, so why not add some brass bracelets instead? These stackable brass bangles are handmade and fair trade by People Tree, plus they shine like gold! '70s' earthy and saturated colours find a nicely surprising balance in this Louis Vuitton embossed leather pochette in an acidic lime hue. You can go second-hand for that piece of luxury you deserve."

"My country wants red as the go-to and super lucky colour for the festivities, including NYE. But this year, I want some gold and sunshine in my makeup.

Swirl Benefit Galifornia blush on the apples of your cheeks and forehead for an instant healthy glow. Galifornia is more of a warm peachy shade with a sweet and exotic fruity scent. For more gold and lush I would ask imPRESS, it replies with its 'Luxurious' press-on nails dipped in champagne gold and pearls. If time is running low, I trust the brands' innovative cushioned glue pads for extra hold and its superb salon-worth designs.

I almost convinced myself to celebrate this year!"

Find Valentina's picks
Dress - Jacket - Boots - Earrings - Bracelets - Handbag - Blush - Nails 

Katie’s New Year's Eve Look

"2022 is right around the corner and people across the world are readying themselves for fresh starts, inspirational Instagram stories and resolutions that they will definitely stick to this year. The best way to channel this positivity and abundance into your New Year" - says Katie Bowman, social media intern at Fashions Finest - "is to dress for success, or so the old saying goes."

"This year I will be ringing in the New Year with my best friend and her daughter at their home, so my take on the glamour and glitz of New Year’s Eve may differ from previous years. By this I mean pyjamas.

This pale pink satin trouser pyjama set from John Lewis is the perfect co-ord to sip strawberry daiquiris on the sofa. To keep in with the pink colour scheme, these pink fluffy slide slippers from Ugg matched with this cosy dressing gown from Boux Avenue will make you the envy of everyone who decided to party out in the cold.

So whether you’re out in the club, staying in with friends or asleep before the clock strikes midnight, have a wonderful and safe New Year and enjoy the night in style."

Find Katie's picks:
Pijama set - Slippers - Dressing gown 

Sophie’s New Year's Eve Look

"I have mainly chosen this outfit because you could wear this outfit for any occasion. You do not have to underdress or be overdressed. This is more a sort of casual wear."

Sophie Schot, creative media student and media intern at Fashions Finest, embodies a young and practical take on the festivities.

Find Sophie's picks:
Skirt - Sweatshirt - Boots - Earrings 

What a way to wave goodbye to 2021! There are many ways to dress up for New Year's Eve, all varied and still valid, whether you plan to spend the last night of the year partying all night out or staying in all wrapped up nice and cosy.

Mixing and matching our favourite clothing and wishlist picks was a fun game and a good style exercise. Fun aside and most importantly, our NYE stylebook wants to be more than a simple shopping guide. Indeed, it is not.

We like to think we are like no other e-zine around. We do not want you to feel compelled to buy so that you can feel gratified and conformed. Fashion should make you both look good and feel happy. You can do it in many ways; for example, you can join the secondhand brigade and give new life to pre-loved clothing online or in-store. You can buy to support a cause dear to you, wear independent and handmade labels, rent a luxury outfit or even design and sew your own holiday outfit! Being fashion smart is always among the latest trends, and there is no shame at all in wearing something casual on New Year's Eve or repurposing glam pieces to spice up your daily outfits.

Use this NYE outfit stylebook to steal some great tips. Save on money (and headaches), not on fashion!

In 2021, as sustainability becomes a buzzword in the industry, we are increasingly opting for ‘pre-owned’ / ‘pre-loved’ garments found in charity shops, online auction sites, curated vintage shops, and luxury reseller platforms. But secondhand shopping is not the end of this movement towards a sustainable fashion future. This past year the creativity of looks has become an important marker of style, inspired often by snackable videos of DIY fashion projects proliferating Tiktok.

Photo by Nafinia Putra, Unsplash.

Sustainable fashion isn’t just about spending hours, physically and virtually, rummaging around secondhand shops to find the most unique item. By giving your garments a personalised touch with these 8 tips and tricks on crafting a sustainable style, we can wear our clothes with pride, no matter if it is ‘in fashion’ or not.

By reworking your secondhand steals or mending the back-of-the-wardrobe relics through these tips and tricks, not only will your wardrobe be reinvigorated by authentic staples at a low-to-no cost but it also builds your personalised style.  

Embroidering The Imagination

Nothing says sustainable style more than embellishing your clothes with DIY crafts. Hand embroidery has been practised all over the world for centuries, meaning there are multitudes of techniques and styles to try your hand at. Using transfers, stencils or going free-hand on your jean pockets or hems, around a logo on a t-shirt, or on the cuff and collar of a shirt will add your unique signature to your style.

You can also add beads or sequins to your embroidery too.

##sunflower ##embroidery ♬ sunflower -

To Paint Or To Print

Whilst embroidery may be for those who want a more subtle impact, painting or printing on garments you will achieve a large-scale, unapologetically bold impact. Fabric paints (acrylics can work too) can be used to create individual figurative or abstract designs. 100% cotton fabric will respond the best to the paint but you can try your designs on synthetic fabrics, silk or leather - but before you get going, make sure you test the paint out on a segment of your chosen fabric.

For those who have less time or are less confident in their artiste skills, you can print images through an ink-jet printer onto transfer paper and iron the product onto your chosen garment. 

##paintedjeans ##paintingart Programs - Mac Miller

Button It

However, DIY crafts can be fiddly and not everyone has the time or patience. There is a simpler way to rework your old garments such as simply adding or changing buttons on a shirt, jumper, trousers or skirt. If you’re like me, you have probably accumulated hundreds of stray buttons in your lifetime that you can use. If you are not, why not consider swapping some buttons from other garments around?

##learnontiktok ##tiktokpartner ##sewing BONES - Mahrah

Patch It Up

In the past 18 months, there has been a resurgence in the ‘make do and mend’ mentality, recalling the war-time sentiment. Rather than throwing away clothes with holes in or looking past a garment with a stain on, you can elongate the lifetime of your pieces through patchwork. By patching up holes or stains with scrap materials from pillows, table cloths or kitchen towels you can re-energise the signs of wear-and-tear. Darning holes with opposing coloured thread also offers a new lease of life to your garment.

Ready-made patches can also be bought or you can create your own through embroidery.

original sound - jitterbybug

New Day, New Dye

Dyeing your garment is a sure way to invigorate your clothes with a new lease of life. Some materials such as cotton, silk etc. will respond better to dyes. Reminiscent of the '60s Summer of Love, tie-dye has made a comeback. By following a tie-dye kit or the DIY bleach method, you can imbue your style with a blast of ecstasy whilst California Dreamin’ rings in your ear.

You can also simply dye your item in block colours with dyes from your local craft shop or online.

original “sound - Teresa Caruso

Alteration Station

Altering your clothes is another option. This is not for the faint-hearted though. If you are not confident with the processes of altering, find your nearest tailors. Before embarking on a journey to the tailors, make sure you have a measuring tape handy so you can go in prepared with the details of what you want to do. You can ask to get things taken in, up and sometimes out depending on the garment. You can also ask to change the style entirely.

original sound - Kaitlyn

 

Simply Accessorize

Sustainable styling can also be about reducing expenses. If you have got a big event coming up and you have the urge to buy something new that you might not wear again, why not just look for accessories to reinvigorate your outfit like a scarf or some jewellery?

Groove Is in the Heart - The 90’s Band!

Reducing Time / Reducing Choice

Sustainable style can also be about reducing choice and time spent on daily outfits. You could plan your outfits around what you're doing in a week to save time. Or even pick a colour you could focus around this week. Or perhaps a specific silhouette. This way you can really start to narrow down your wardrobe and realise that you don’t need a lot of clothes to be stylish.

This way you can really start to narrow down your wardrobe and realise that you don’t need a lot of clothes to develop your personal style. This narrow approach is perfect if you are packing to go away: reducing space in the suitcase.

original sound - BuzzFeed!

Conscious consumption habits are not the end of the discussion around sustainable fashion. By approaching your everyday fashion looks through the lens of constant renewal through creative means, we begin to gain a greater appreciation for our clothes. This renewed appreciation allows us to move toward a more cyclical fashion industry and away from our inclination to consume and waste. And TikTok has the answers!