With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, one thing’s for sure: you’ll need a killer outfit lined up. The holidays provide us with the perfect excuse to dress up – especially a New Year’s Eve party. It’s one of those nights you’ll want to take your time getting ready for. Get a Hydrafacial, get your eyelash extensions and pick out the perfect ensemble because this is one of those rare opportunities to get fancy and have fun with your look.

Think glittery shoes, sequin dresses and sparkly rompers for women, along with colours that really pop. For the men out there, here’s a chance to wear a bow tie and suspenders, gold or silver accents, and a great opportunity to dress formal but still have fun with your style.

Here are some tips for both ladies and gentlemen on what to wear to a holiday event or a NYE party:

Ladies

Women are encouraged to wear anything that sparkles or glitters to a NYE party. This season, we’re seeing plenty of rompers, skirts, and dresses embellished with sequins and glitter in a variety of styles and colours. Don’t forget about glittery or sequin shoes to add that sparkle to your step. In addition to shimmer, a holiday party is a great opportunity to wear either bold pops of colour (like a royal blue dress) or romantic golds and silvers. If you’d rather opt for a little black dress, don’t be afraid to choose a sparkly black dress instead of your usual LBD and pair it with gold sequin pumps.

Classic party skirts from partyskirts.com

1. Metallic, shiny or sequin-embellished skirts

This holiday season you’ll want a skirt in either shiny silver, shimmering rose gold, sparkly black, or gold sequins. Take inspiration from fashion leaders like the Vancouver-based company Party Skirts, or TopShop and ASOS. Party Skirts has a great Sophisticated Steel Skirt($195 regular, but several are marked down during boxing week). It has a metallic shine to it, perfect for a holiday party. Their high-waisted skirts are flattering, feminine, and a great wardrobe staple. For a pop of colour, opt for a bold sapphire blue like Party Skirts’ Sapphire Classic Skirt ($195). TopShop’s Scallop Sequin Mini Skirt ($75) is the ideal black sequin skirt with a flirty scallop hemline. Another great sparkly black skirt is the Boohoo Sequin Midi Skirt($50) from ASOS.

ASOS rose gold Foil Bandage Skirt (left) ASOS Motel Weaver Sequin Skirt (middle) ASOS Sequin Skater Skirt (right)

If you’re seeking a more romantic gold or silver skirt, look no further than these three awesome skirts from ASOS: Premium Foil Bandage Skirt in rose gold ($70), All Over Sequin Ted Baker Skater Skirt in nude champagne ($95), or Motel Weaver Sequin Skirt in soft silver and pink sequins ($40).

Sequin dresses from studio15.com

2. Sequin dresses

Sequins are a party staple this season. For something bold and fun, the royal blue deep v-neck sequin dress ($65) from Studio 15 will help you create the perfect look. It’s got the bold colour and the sparkle you need to stand out on NYE. Studio 15’s black and gold one-shoulder sequin leaf dress ($60) is another great holiday option.

Rose gold sequin romper from Forever21.com

Every type of dress has its own unique elements. Some are one-trick-pony dresses, meaning they are great for a single purpose but lack versatility. However, a midi dress is just the opposite. Its mid range length helps it look great for business, formal or casual events. You only have to select the exact length and accessories for your body type. For example, a midi dress can be almost ankle length, end just past your knees or end anywhere in between. The shorter you are, the shorter your midi dress should be because you need to give your legs the appearance of length. Wearing heels with your midi dress can also help you look taller. On the other hand, a longer midi dress or one worn with flats may be appropriate if you are already tall.

3. Sequin Rompers

Throw on a sequin romper and you’re ready to hit any type of NYE party – casual or fancy. Rompers are very versatile in the sense that they’re often considered both dressy and casual; playful and feminine. This rose gold sequin romper ($45) from Forever 21 is a festive statement piece that shows your playful, glitzy side. It’s the perfect romper to stand out and sparkle at a party.

glitter and sequin shoes from foxylingerie.com

4. Glittering High Heels

Glamorize your feet with glitter or sequin high heels. It can be tough to find a budget-friendly, good quality pair of glittery high heels. You’re in luck, though, because Foxy Intimate’s Gold Sequin Pump ($42) and Princess Glitter Shoe ($39) are gorgeous, affordable options to glam up your outfit and add that necessary sparkle to your step.

Gentlemen

How can the men stand out this holiday season? When a man puts on a bow tie and suspenders, he immediately looks dead sexy. The classic black bow tie and black suspenders against a crisp white shirt is always killer, but the holidays are the perfect time to have fun with pops of colour. A NYE party or a holiday event is a great excuse to get out those playful red suspenders, or that gold bow tie. You can also incorporate colour with an accent blazer or a brightly coloured tie.

Suspenders from JJsuspenders.com

1. Suspenders

JJ Suspenders has everything you’re looking for when it comes to the suspenders you’ll need to smarten up your outfit. They’ve got handmade, high-quality classic black skinny suspenders ($39) and flirtatious red suspenders($39) as well as several other fun colours and patterns to choose from. All you need now is an awesome bow tie.

KnotTheory.com bow ties

2. Bow tie

Knot Theory is a unique bow tie company with endless colours, patterns and styles of bow ties to choose from. All bow ties are hand made in Canada and each two-toned bow tie can be worn over six different ways. For NYE, try a gold bow tie from their James Bond collection ($69). It’s black and gold, so it can be worn as a gold or a black bow tie. If you’re looking to be more distinct with your style, opt for the 6-Way Red Linen and Blue Gingham bow tie ($55) which can be worn with all red facing, or red with a Gingham knot, or all Gingham. Knot Theory also offers patterned bow ties such as Houndstooth, polka dot or even mini moustaches.

Accent blazer from Express

3. Accent Blazer

If your bow tie is black and your entire outfit is neutral, it’s not too late to find a way to stand out. An trendy accent blazer such as the Slim Photograph Twill Red Blazer from Express ($138) will perfectly stylize your attire and add both personality and style.