Inspiration Board: New Year's Eve

Nothing is more NYE-appropriate than the sequin dress! Seriously, how often do you have the chance to go totally all-out in head-to-toe sparkle, other than for this very special occasion? The bodycon is the silhouette which immediately comes to mind, but small details can make huge differences to this look. The bold striping of Lana's choice has a definite Art Deco feel, but a bateau neckline and three-quarter sleeves, or an unusual neutral such as navy can make this style an au courant, cool girl's dream come true. Pair it with strappy, cutout or architectural sandals for a ttly fierce look! Cap sleeves or a sweetheart neckline - even an illusion one - can give the sequin dress a hint of vintage styling. Enhance that vibe with mary-jane or t-strap shoes. I adore heels, but flats will work ;). A print done in sequins, whether houndstooth, chevron, or leopard is bold and modern. Clean, strong ankle boots are the perfect urban finish to this statement. A simple sheath, especially one made memorable by a ones-shoulder detail, halter or strapless design, is always chic. Match it with minimalist sandals for an eye-catching but sophisticated look. Caveats wit the sequined dress: keep the baubletry to a minimum - the dress is your jewelry :), and go for an alternate texture with your shoes. I'm drawn to suede and velvet, but satin and leather are fabulous as well. The most important thing is to avoid glittery or sequined shoes; too much of a good thing isn't always better ;)

The tulle skirt has been an important look among fashion bloggers all year and it's raging stronger than ever right now. It's also been a staple of the ever-fierce Alicia Fox, always an excellent reason for giving a style a try! The tulle skirt sounds very girly and ballerina-esque, but it lends itself to more variations than you might imagine. Pair an A-line mini one (especially a party-prefect polka-dot one!) with a chunky sweater and tall boots to be more cool girl than sweet girl. Alternatively, play up the ballerina feel, but take it modern with a cropped top and delicate lace-up sandals. Think dancer-gone-fashionista. This look is ultra-trendy and incredibly chic. A cropped sweater will work just as well as a top. I especially love it when paired with a midi skirt - they are so much fun to twirl in! Ankle strap pumps in a bright metallic -go for glitter, sequins, pearlized patent or mirror leather- add the requisite dash of New Year's sparkle for a gorgeous understated ensemble. Lastly, contrast a feminine tulle maxi with a waffle/thermal top (perhaps with embroidery or lace applique), a leather jacket and tough, biker-referencing boots. This is a bohemian take on the softness of tulle, making it free-spirited and wild.

If you aren't in love with head-to-toe shine, a fantastic alternative is the sparkle jacket! This look can be dressed up, or, for those of you who wouldn't be caught dead, alive, or comatose in a dress, waaaaay down :). Maria added shorts to a blazer-style jacket, while an oh-so-now look among the fashion cognoscenti is the sparkle bomber jacket - a current favorite of the slay-happy Taylor Swift. Pair said bomber with a slim sweater and skinny jeans - I especially love a moto-style accented with zippers- and you can paint the town on Dec 31st with your favorite sparkly or metallic sneakers on your feet. How 'bout that? Comfort AND style killage? Let me at it, right? :) You could also be completely T. Swift-ified and wear a crop top and flared mini skirt under your sparkly bomber. Blue is an authentic Taylor color and is seriously fab for New Year's, but silver, black or gold will do beautifully. Speaking of beautiful, you could also eschew the sporty look and go for modern sophistication instead. Look for a simple tuxedo jacket, particularly a cropped style, that has just a hint of glitter at the lapels, shoulders or cuffs. Match it with a pencil skirt and a special top. A silk blouse would be stunning and classic. My personal go-to would be a magnificent lace blouse. This is another pairing where you can let your shoes do the flashing: sequin or metallic please...unless you want to be daring and go for colored suede ;) The classic collarless, boxy jacket is also a candidate for sequin embellishment. My favorite of these would be the Chanel-inspired slightly cropped version with front patch or slash pockets. That sleek, easy luxury can be played up with a turtleneck and slim pants - no denim please..stay with wool, satin or other finely woven fabric. A tuxedo-stripe embellishment would be stellar here as well. Finish with interesting metallic pumps.  The very last step in all these looks is the same: have a fantasmic New Year's night, whatever you're wearing!