The end of the year is quickly approaching, and that for me usually means that it’s time to get the party frocks out. Whether you’re staying in Leeds to celebrate or going home, we all want to look our best on New Year’s Eve. However, our student budget is limited and we can’t afford to spend lots of money on an expensive dress that we’re probably only going to wear once or twice, especially when you also have to spend your student loan on Christmas presents. Being a bargain hunter, I’m a big believer that you don’t have to spend a lot to find the perfect outfit for NYE. So don’t worry girls, whatever your plan is for the last night of the year you’ll look fabulous without having to use your overdraft!
THE LBD
The LBD is a timeless classic and is definitely the most popular choice for NYE. However, just because you’re wearing black it doesn’t mean you have to be boring. You don’t want to end up looking like you’re going to a funeral, so spice up your outfit with some statement jewellery, a colourful handbag or some killer heels! There’s plenty of LBDs to choose from:
This ASOS dress is one of my favourites. You can order it online for only £25. It’s very simple but the detail in the back makes it incredibly sexy while keeping it classy. If the length of the dress is too short for you, ASOS also offers a longer version of the dress for £30. Add some red lipstick to this LBD and you’ll be ready to welcome the New Year looking gorgeous!
If you love the classic LBD but want it to be a little more glam for NYE, why not try a sequined dress? Sequins are big this season and NYE is the best time of the year to look sparkly and fun, find it in H&M for £29.99. If the sequins are a bit too much for you, then maybe you should go for a lace dress. The lace makes the dress very feminine and sexy without making it too flashy. This black lace dress is from New Look and it’s £19.99, a real bargain considering there are very similar dresses for double the price!
Bright colours
The LBD may be an all-time classic but bright colours will definitely make your outfit livelier. So if you find black too boring, you might want to try one of these looks:
You’ll definitely catch people’s attention wearing this dress! This sexy little number is from New Look and is only £25. It’s simple but the mesh and the bow detail add some interest. Wear this dress with some killer heels and you’ll be the queen of the dance floor!
If bright and shiny is more your style, you might prefer a metallic colour. Try this sequined one-shoulder dress, perfect for NYE. However, if you’re going to wear gold, try to keep the rest of the outfit quite simple. I particularly like combining gold with black, so try this dress with some fabulous black platform heels and smoky eye shadow to complete the look. You can find this dress in New Look for £19.99 but you can find similar dresses in the same price range in other stores such as Dorothy Perkins or H&M.
Alternatives
You don’t have to wear a dress to look fabulous in NYE, there are plenty of other alternatives out there that are equally as great! So if you’re tired of dresses or you simply just feel more comfortable in a pair of trousers, you might want to try one of these outfits:
Wide leg jumpsuits are really hot this season and can easily be dressed up or down depending on what accessories you combine it with. Wear your jumpsuit with some big dangly earrings, a thin metallic belt and a chunky bangle. Add some heels to the outfit and you’ll be ready to party! The black and white playsuit is from H&M and it’s yours for only £14,99 (bargain!). The black jumpsuit with the embellished neckline is from River Island and it’s only £25.
If jumpsuits aren’t your thing, you can go for some smart trousers and a nice top. I particularly like high-waisted trousers but skinny jeans can look dressy when worn with an evening top and a pair of smart shoes. H&M has a really good selection of trousers and jeans in all styles and colours for a really good price. These ones are only £12.99:
You won’t have to look around for ages to find the perfect top to match your trousers. There are some really good offers at the moment and you can easily get a lovely top for less than a tenner. New Look has some great offers at the moment. This pink satin top will be yours for £3.80 and if you want to go for a metallic colour, you can get this gold bubble foil shell top for £9.80.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, go for the 1920’s style beaded camisole and you’ll look incredibly glamorous for just £14.
The Shoes
Shoes are an essential part of the outfit; they can make or break it. You can find a good pair of heels for about £20-30but you want to make sure they don’t hurt your feet. You won’t be able to dance all night if your feet have blisters! If you’re wearing new shoes for NYE, wear them at home for a couple of days before the big night. Your feet will then be used to the new shoes by the time you start partying.
The style and colour of the heel is a matter of personal choice. I love this season’s hot trend: block heels. They’re SO comfy and perfect for a night of non-stop dancing. This fuchsia pair is from New Look and is only £24.99.
The colour of the shoes depends on the style and colour of the dress. If you’re going to wear a very bright and shiny outfit then you’re probably better off wearing a black or a nude colour. You can find the black sandals in New Look for £24.99 and the nude court shoes in ASOS for £21.
If you’re wearing an LBD or you’re dress is quite simple, then you should go for a bright colour or an embellished shoe. This red satin pair is gorgeous and incredibly cheap. These New Look shoes are yours for just £11!!!
I’m a big fan of high heels but you don’t have to wear heels to look your best. Flats can look just as nice as heels and tend to be cheaper! As it’s NYE, maybe go for something a bit different from what you usually wear. I’ve chosen these two pairs of pumps from ASOS ( black pair, £17.50) and New Look (light brown, £15.99):
So girls, now you know what’s in the shops this season go and find the perfect outfit to end the year. Regardless of what you wear on NYE remember to have a good time and enjoy yourself. No outfit will be perfect without a smile on your face!