Style guide
The New Year's Eve outfit in Cannes
December 31 is approaching, and with it the question that comes back every year: what to wear for New Year's Eve? Between a dinner in town and a private party in the hills above Cannes, the dress is not quite the same.
Sequins, velvet, gold: here's how to put together a festive look that holds its own under the lights of the Croisette's restaurants as well as those of a private salon, right through to the twelfth stroke of midnight.
New Year's Eve is one of the rare evenings of the year when you can allow yourself sparkle without justifying it. It's the moment for fabrics that catch the light, confident sequins, and gold finishes, for a look that marks the passage into the new year. In Cannes, between the tables of the grand brasseries on the Croisette and the private parties held in villas in the hills, two moods coexist, and each calls for its own outfit.
Dinner in town or a private party: two moods, two silhouettes
A New Year's Eve dinner at a restaurant, on the Croisette or in the Suquet, calls for a short or midi dress, where the fabric does all the work. Sequins, metallic jacquard, or deep velvet are enough to create the moment, with no need to go for a floor-length gown: you'll be seated for several hours, perhaps dancing later in the evening, and a cut that leaves room to move remains the most comfortable.
A private party at friends' or in a Cannes villa allows for more freedom: a long dress if the host specifies one, but also a sequined jumpsuit or a matching skirt and top set, for a look that stays festive while suiting a more informal evening, moving between the living room and the terrace.
Three fabrics that make New Year's Eve
Three families of fabric sum up the spirit of December 31, and combine easily with one another within a single look.
Sequins, for instant sparkle
Mirrored, matte, or ombré, sequins remain the signature of New Year's Eve. An all-sequined mini dress or a sequined top-and-skirt set catches the light of candles and garlands without any extra effort.
Velvet, for depth
Quieter than sequins but just as festive, velvet brings a dense, warm fabric, ideal for winter evenings. It works particularly well as a small leather accessory, grounding a sparkling outfit in something more understated.
Gold, for the finishing touch
Lamé, lurex, or gold jewelry: gold works just as well as an entire dress or as a single accessory on a more neutral base. It's the most flexible of the three, able to carry a look on its own or elevate an already dressy outfit.
Our selection of party dresses
A selection of dresses designed for December 31, from all-over sequins to the most understated touch of gold.
Accessories to complete the outfit
A bag that catches the light, a velvet piece to ground the outfit, or a festive knit for a more informal New Year's Eve: these three pieces complete the dress selection above.
View the full dress collection
Try it on before December 31
A sequined dress or gold lamé is rarely chosen from a photo: the weight of the fabric, how it falls once worn, and how easy it is to sit or dance in can only be checked in the fitting room. Since New Year's Eve comes around quickly once December begins, it's best to come try things on early, leaving time for any alterations before the big night.
Meet us in Cannes
The full selection featured in this guide is available in store, at 15 rue Notre-Dame, 06400 Cannes, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm. To book a fitting or check a size or availability before New Year's Eve, our team can be reached at +33 (0)4 93 39 46 46, by email at info@leshop17.com, or on WhatsApp. You can also find our new arrivals on Instagram, @leshop17.
More outfit ideas for special occasions can be found on Le Shop 17's guides page.
Go further: designer evening dresses in Cannes and our Christmas gift ideas in Cannes.
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