Banging outfits for New Year's Eve

New Year’s Eve marks the final celebration of the year – and for true gentlemen, it’s a double opportunity: with a stylish look and a beard guaranteed to turn heads, you’ll round off 2019 perfectly and kick off the new decade looking your best. We’ve put together the best styling tips to help you make a statement on any occasion, whether you’re a guest at a gala or at a house party next door.

“Turn me into a disco ball” – requests like this are no rarity for master barber Anthony in the run-up to New Year’s Eve. “Especially as we’re approaching a milestone year, experience tells us people will be partying like crazy,” reveals the boss of Eric:Barbier. His tip: “If you just want your beard to look different for one night, I’d go for coloured hairspray or hair chalk, which can simply be washed out the next morning.” Some men also want a full shave just before the New Year, “to shed some old baggage”, as Anthony reveals.

Once the beard style is sorted, it’s all about finding the perfect outfit for the upcoming party. You should definitely take your surroundings into account: if you’re the only one turning up in a suit, you’ll get just as many odd looks as gala guests in turtlenecks. As a general rule: if you’re unsure, don’t go overboard with wild colour combinations.

Classic and stylish

If you’re spending the evening at a gala or a ball, you’re best advised to follow the classic style tips for New Year’s Eve fashion: a tuxedo with a waistcoat and trousers in the same colour ensures an elegant appearance. Traditionally, these garments are black, though recently many styles have been available in dark blue and grey; the truly daring might even opt for a white one in James Bond style. A black bow tie is worn with a tuxedo, which is why invitations often specify this dress code using the term ‘black tie’. Polished Oxford-style shoes complete the look perfectly.

Is a suit required, but less emphasis placed on the classic style? Then it’s time for patterns: subtly patterned bow ties and ties add a touch of flair to any plain suit with a touch of whimsy. It looks even more cohesive when the colours, dots, stripes or symbols are also reflected in the pocket square and socks – a sure sign that the wearer values style even outside the party. But be careful: if the suit itself already features a checked pattern or striking pinstripes, the tie, bow tie and the like shouldn’t cause sensory overload.

Unconventional, cool, casual

If you’re hosting the last party of the year or attending a house party, feel free to reach into the ‘otherwise-not-really’ section of your wardrobe. On New Year’s Eve, colourful tops, floral embellishments or psychedelic-looking patterns on shirts and T-shirts are welcome – and are guaranteed to turn heads. The style tips here are quite simple: anything goes, as long as it’s to your taste and not boring.

The choice is a little different when heading to a club; under flickering strobe lights and colourful laser displays, crazy combinations tend to look a bit over the top to fellow partygoers. The perfect style tips for a night out at the disco are jeans and plain shirts, jazzed up with carefully chosen accessories such as a watch or bracelets. Make sure that all the jewellery fits into the overall look and doesn’t stand out on its own.

For small, relaxed family gatherings, there’s no need to try to impress with wild outfits either. In this case, the focus is on a smart-casual look; the combination of jeans or trousers with a turtleneck jumper or plain sweatshirt exudes cosiness and calm – perfect for a relaxed evening of shared meals and card games.

Please don’t get cold

There’s one must-have that no outfit should be without: by midnight at the latest, when the first fireworks are launched into the night sky, you’ll need to wrap up warm before heading outside. For smart occasions, long coats or parkas in muted colours are ideal; for private parties, you can quickly slip into a down jacket or bomber jacket until the blaze of colour has passed.

Whether chic, colourful, crazy or laid-back: we wish you all a happy New Year and a stylish start to the year!