How to Dress for New Year's Eve, No Matter How You Celebrate

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Oh you fancy, huh? While most guys have heard the phrase “black tie,” many have not had to brace themselves for the formality that this type of event calls for. Black tie means more than just a black suit; it's traditionally tuxedo territory. A formal dinner jacket, matching black pants, a bowtie, and (if you're really old-school) a cummerbund are all tenets of the style. Even your shirt needs to step it up, with a formal white option—fastened with cufflink-like tuxedo studs, not buttons—as the only real choice for true black tie.

But if you don't own a tux, fear not. A solid black or midnight blue suit can do the job. The difference is just in the details. This means a semi-spread collar shirt (no button down collars), uncuffed trousers, and a simplified pair of black oxford shoes. Finish the look off with a solid black tie (though a bowtie is always preferred). Now go and drink some fancy-ass champagne.

You probably haven't used the words “semi-formal” since you were discussing the year-end dance back in high school, but this style is actually fairly common—especially for most situations where you're trying to “dress to impress.” Instead of going full-stop on the formality of the black tie, think of semi-formal dress as “cocktail” attire. You won't need to dress in a tux, but you should expect to wear a suit—ideally one in charcoal gray, navy blue, or dark brown. A simple white shirt should do the trick here as well, but you'll still want to avoid button down collars and opt for a semi-spread collar.

While you should be prepared to come through with a tie on, it's not uncommon for semi-formal events to ditch ties altogether. Remember, while you'd definitely be overdressed in something like a tux, that also doesn't mean that you can wear khakis, jeans, polos, or sneakers. “Formal” is still a vital part of “semi-formal,” so keep that in mind.

Each family is different, but it's best to approach this like you're dressing for a nice holiday dinner. While semi-formal attire calls for suiting up, you can bet that this would be far more casual. While a collared shirt is always a nice gesture, you'll probably be able to impress with just a dressier sweater. When it comes to bottoms, anything from clean khakis to dark selvedge denim should suffice. If you're thinking somewhere along the lines of “respectable post-work drinks,” then you're on the right track. But hey, you're with family right? If you're popping bottles at midnight with mom and dad, there's a good chance that they're not that worried about how you're dressed.

What on Earth possessed you to celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square? Well, now you're trapped at the metaphorical center of the universe with nearly every other human in the universe. At least you'll have company as you simultaneously freeze your ass off and sweat buckets—all thanks to equal parts arctic winds and body heat. But unlike the penguins of Antarctica, you're not going to want to huddle close to your neighbors for warmth, as the smell of flask-smuggled booze and stale air surrounds your pen of co-celebrators.

Considering that partying in Times Square means that you'll be outside for several hours, you'll want to incrementally layer up. Start with a comfortable tee and jeans, add a hoodie or practical sweater, and then top with your winter coat. Oh, and considering you'll be standing on your feet literally all night, we advise wearing comfortable shoes. Be mindful though, considering how “close quarters” the whole event is, the chances of someone stepping on your kicks is astronomically high.

Unless your friend is wild gaudy, a house party is a house party. While the attire is certain to be casual, that doesn't mean you shouldn't come correct with at least a little bit of effort spent on your 'fit. You probably won't be called to suit up or even wear a collared shirt, but you should still try to look clean and together. Go for a slim pair of jeans, a casual sweater or upscale T-shirt, and some clean sneakers.

If the dress code actually calls for dressing up, take it as an opportunity to add a twist on formal dressing. Going for a turtleneck or grandad collar shirt, wearing a brightly patterned suit, or swapping oxford shoes for clean white sneakers are all moves that will help you stand out among dudes who had trouble building a 'fit that…well, even fits. Think of it this way: if you're trying to get a kiss at midnight, it certainly pays to look like you know how you dress yourself.

Remember what we said regarding house parties? Well, throw all that out of the window, because you're hitting your local dive, and the only dress code is that you can't wear your birthday suit. Expect plenty of spilled drinks, strong elbows, and tight quarters as you alternate between Tecate-tequilas and André champagne well past midnight.

Keep things comfortable and casual. After putting on your usual jeans and a T-shirt, you'll want to keep the outerwear lightweight. Sure, it might be cold outside, but considering the climate inside the dive bar is likely to rival a Floridian swamp, you should have something that keeps you warm without overheating. Besides, that last round of shots has enough alcohol to keep you toasty from the bar to your bed.

Either by choice or by unpopularity, you're sitting in bed on New Year's Eve. Honestly, considering that New Year's is basically the worst holiday in the calendar year (unless you like drunk strangers, absurdly priced drinks, the inability to catch a cab, and freezing weather), we can't blame you for sitting inside away from the action. Seeing that you're chilling out in your own home, how you dress is up to you. While it's a little depressing to ring in the new year in a stained tee and some worn-out sweatpants, we're not going to judge. No matter how you dress, at least you know no one else is going to judge you, either. But, as a pro tip, you might want to avoid putting your internal NYE plans on the 'gram; that's better left between your and your four walls.