Maybe it’s much too early in the game, but we thought we’d ask you, just the same: What are you wearing New Year’s Eve?
Some of us (ahem, yes, yours truly) are guilty of leaving the choice of the all-important NYE outfit to a game-day decision. After all, our closet if FULL of black cocktail attire and sky-high heels. But this NYE, we decided it’s time to up our game to all-out glam. So we asked three SB readers — Colleen Canale, Anca Marr and Lea Richardson — to get with wardrobe consultant and stylist Jamie Yarbrough and find three looks for three different NYE events.
What are YOU wearing New Year’s Eve? Our models have some ideas — (L-R) Lea Richardson, Anca Marr and Colleen Canale, with aristocrunk rappers Lord T. (right) and Eloise (left), in the gorgeous Cadre Building.
Jamie outfitted our models with stunning looks from Betty Hays, Joseph and Oak Hall for three glamorous New Year’s Eve looks to welcome 2017 on Beale Street, or at fundraisers for the Memphis Songwriters Association and the Phoenix Club.
Wardrobe consultant and stylist Jamie Yarbrough with models Lea and Anca
Our friends at the historic Cadre Building in Downtown Memphis offered the gilt-bedecked event space for our shoot and even sweetened their offer by arranging for crunk rappers Lord T. & Eloise to drop by as a little arm candy for the photos. Enjoy the holiday season in the nine fantastic looks shown here!
The Event: EX-HA-LA-TION at the Cadre Building
- December 31, 2016, at 9 p.m. – January 1, 2017, at 2 a.m.
- The Cadre Building, 149 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 38103
- Tickets are $50 – $100 and can be bought online here.
Our aristocrunk arm candy, Lord T. & Eloise, are headlining the Cadre’s NYE Party, EX-HA-LA-TION, a let-it-all-hang-out way to welcome in 2017 that also features DJ Wick-It The Instigator and DJ Jordan Rogers in a funk-tastic evening to benefit the Memphis Songwriters Association.
What to wear? Think city chic with a dash of sass, or at least some gold accents to complement Eloise’s skin tone or white to complement Lord T.’s tendrils (and to make a statement in the black lights at the party).
Look #1:
Anca impresses the band wearing, from Oak Hall: Cinq a Sept red blouse, $345; Jocelyn black fur bib, $165; Lafayette 148 black satin pants, $398; St. John earrings, $195
The Jocelyn black fur bib, $165, and St. John earrings, $195, add a luxurious and classic accent to Anca’s outfit. Jamie says if you’re not in a dress mood for NYE, “Satin pants and a dressy blouse are a great option to wear to your New Year’s Eve party and still look fabulous! The fur bib will add warmth and elegance as well.”
Look #2:
Lea sparkles in this ensemble from Betty Hays: Shilla white dress, $179; Tolani taupe/gold wrap, $109; Lixenberg gold handbag, $298; Kim Gambrell earrings, $79
Understated elegance: Tolani taupe/gold wrap, $109, and Kim Gambrell earrings, $79, from Betty Hays
Look #3:
Colleen dazzles in this look from Joseph: Diane von Furstenberg rylen jumpsuit $468; Beth Orduna necklace, $995; Valentino pump with studs, $795. “What’s a party without those Valentino studded heels!?” asks Jamie.
The Event: New Year’s Eve on Beale Street
- December 31, 2016, from 8 p.m. until …
- Guitar drop from Hard Rock Café at the stroke of midnight
- Free concerts in W.C. Handy Park start at 9 p.m. featuring Emblem recording artists Glorianna with blues act Jeff Jensen Band
- The clubs and restaurants of Beale will have live music and special dinners, including Blues City Cafe, Itta Bena and B.B. King’s
If you want to be in the middle of the most festive party in town, but a bit away from your 50,000 closest friends, then glam out and pick a perch from which to watch the spectacle that is New Year’s Eve on Beale Street. You’ll want to book your table now to ensure you have a spot from which to be counting down to the new year following dining and dancing!
What to wear? Go for an outfit that fits the vibe of Beale — soulful and eclectic — that can take you from dinner to the dance floor to the street for the guitar drop at midnight.
Look #1:
Lea’s wearing, from Betty Hays: Shilla black dress, $159; Mitchie’s fox fur cuffs, $129; J Jansen handbag, $429; J Jansen earrings, $139
Look #2:
Colleen’s Beale Street look is playful and sexy. From Joseph: Peter Cohen black halter, $450; Self Portrait patchwork skirt, $375; Margaret Ellis silver earrings with pearl,$350; Christian Louboutin glitter speck clutch, $1,250; Aquazzura Wild pump, $795
We love this take on a classic pearl earring from Margaret Ellis, $350.
Look #3:
Anca is fun and flirty in this look from Oak Hall: Rachel Zoe Melody dress, $425; Abittar earrings, $345; pave bangle, $145; Marquis cluster bracelet, $145
Abittar pave bangle, $145, and Marquis cluster bracelet, $145, from Oak Hall
The Event: The Year’s Eve Fire Ball benefiting The Girls & Boys Clubs of Greater Memphis
- December 31, 2016, at 9 p.m. – January 1, 2017, at 1 a.m.
- James Bond-themed party at Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road, Memphis, TN 38117
- Tickets include an open wine and beer bar, plus food and dancing to Bluff City Collective Soul
- Tickets are $75 and available online here
What to wear? Get your Bond girl on, and go all-out glam for this NYE bash! Think sexy, slinky and sparkly!
Look #1:
Colleen is wearing, from Joseph: Jonathan Simkahi diamond mesh dress, $795; Erickson Beamon earrings, $495; Becca Belz cuff, $425; Jimmy Choo Pearl gold champagne shoes, $795
Jamie says that just because this dress has no beads or sequins doesn’t mean it will not live up to the NYE glam. “The sexy cut-outs on the side, and simple black and white pattern, make it a must have for a NYE party!”
Becca Belz cuff, $425
Look #2:
Lea wears, from Betty Hays: Frank Lyman metallic dress, $199; Kim Gambrell necklace, $179, and earrings, $79; Mitchies fur scarf, $169
Take a closer look at the necklace, earrings and fur scarf!
Look #3:
Anca is all-out glam wearing, from Oak Hall: Parker beaded dress, $550; MGV tassel earrings, $120
MGV tassel earrings, $120, from Oak Hall
Thanks to Jamie for her fabulous styling! Learn more about her business online at Style By Jamie Lea, email her at [email protected] or call her at (901) 257-9070.
Thanks to Micki Martin for her fabulous photos, and to our models Colleen, Anca and Lea!
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Blair Eadie 
