How to Have a Stylish New Year’s Eve at Home, Inspired by Batsheva Hay, Christian Siriano, and More
Is there a more exciting prospect than kissing this year goodbye? 2020 will forever be known as the year COVID-19 hit, and everyone in the world is ready to bid it adieu. Of course, the pandemic is still very much here, meaning that a big, splashy, blowout bash to end the year is very much out of the question. But fear not! Your at-home festivities need not be a bore. Feeling determined to have a good time this New Year’s Eve and plan something fun, safe, and wildly festive, Vogue reached out to five fashion insiders to find out what their plans are for ringing it in.
Designer Batsheva Hay, stylist Jason Bolden, and more of the fashion flock shared their advice for celebrating New Year’s Eve in style this year. Their itineraries are worth perusing, whether they plan to cozy up to the fire with some marshmallows and hot toddies, or feast on some pasta and a good book. To be sure, these suggestions are all about ushering in 2021 with some self-love and much-needed R&R.
Below, here’s how five fashion insiders are waving off 2020 in style and comfort.
Batsheva Hay, designer
“We will be at what we call our ‘quarantine lake house’ (the house we lived in from March to June while NYC was locked down) upstate. There is a nice big fireplace out there. My kids like dancing around a big, open house. We like to hike in the local nature preserves. If there is any ice skating open nearby, I’m sure my kids would love that too. I’ve also been wearing velvet as much as possible since the weather got colder, so I will definitely be in one of my velvet smock dresses with rhinestone buttons, which feels like the right mix of comfortable and festive. We will also roast marshmallows for the kids, and my husband and I will have hot toddies. Lots of crackers and nice cheese usually makes me feel celebratory too.”
New Year’s Tradition: “Cheese plates and watching the ball drop—isn’t that the same for everyone?”
Jason Bolden, stylist
“I will be with a few close friends and family on an island relaxing this New Year’s Eve! I plan on wearing a custom Prada pajama look that I’ve been dying to wear since the last Met Gala. I also plan on eating all the pasta I can get my hands on, and drinking loads of water. Leading up to New Year’s Eve, I’ll get some running in too, and reading more fashion memoirs. I’m leaving the night-of planning to my husband.”
New Year’s Tradition: “The only New Year’s tradition I’d say I have is setting my intentions at the top of the year and checking in with myself after to see how things are going.”
Christian Siriano, designer
“Normally, I would be hosting a big party like I do almost every New Year’s, but this one will be spent with my good friend Alicia Silverstone, whom I haven’t seen in so long. We will be dreaming of being on a beach having fun in the sun. Whatever we decide to actually do in the end, I plan to wear my favorite Saint Laurent tuxedo shirt, black jeans, and these cool new Prada boots I bought myself for a birthday present in November. [We’ll be having] anything that involves yummy tequila and dancing all night to ’90s hits!”
New Year’s Tradition: “For some reason, the last few years I have always hosted a masquerade-type party, and everyone takes off their cool mask to kiss at midnight—and well, we will all be wearing masks again this year. But I don’t think the kiss at midnight will happen, sadly. So it’s time for a new COVID-friendly tradition!”
Tamu McPherson, editor in chief of All the Pretty Birds
“My husband, son, and I will be spending New Year’s Eve at home here in Milan. It will be low-key and cozy. I would love to wear a Petar Petrov devoré-velvet maxidress. It’s so velvety and soft, perfect for festive dressing at home. At this moment, I am dreaming of ordering a decadent meal from our favorite Japanese restaurant. We will drink our favorite Franciacorta. We’ll watch movies until just before midnight and turn on the news to ring in the new year. Don’t tell anyone, but my husband loves fireworks and crackers. He mentioned getting some. However, I have no idea where he would launch them in Milan!”
New Year’s Tradition: “We normally celebrate New Year’s Eve at our friends Margit and Paolo’s home in Switzerland. Margit is a goddess in the kitchen and each couple invited brings a side, dessert, or alcohol. It’s a family affair and all of our children are present. My husband treats them to fireworks and crackers at midnight. That part gets pretty wild.”
Allison Bornstein, stylist
“This year, we are going to spend New Year’s in our cabin upstate! We just bought it and it will be a fun way to start a new chapter and a new year. I will wear a Refine slip dress and add some fun jewelry. I love a slip dress because it can have sort of a nightgown vibe, so it makes sense for an at-home party. I’ll be barefoot too, of course. I am also a terrible cook, but I am really good at assembling a cheese or crudité plate, maybe because it’s like styling?! I can work with what is already made, and make it look nice, so I will probably just eat a ton of snacks and drink wine. Always wine for me! I love to prep as well, so I am sure all day I will be making the house look nice (for no one) and then be tired by midnight.”
New Year’s Tradition: “My tradition is that I never want to go out and always try to convince everyone to just stay in with me. So this situation sort of works out perfectly for me. Now, everyone will have to be home, just how I like it!”
