Whether you love, hate or love-hate New Year’s Eve, there’s something to be said for getting suitably dressed for the occasion. The power of a perfectly fitting dress, a fun shoe or a sprinkling of sequins to ring in the new year is palpable, especially (but not only) if you’re going beyond the confines of your couch. Maybe you’ve been invited to a black-tie dinner, which calls for a sophisticated or statement-making gown. Maybe you’re off to a friend’s new house – an inner-city terrace where you’ll drink beers and listen to Charli XCX in the backyard. Or maybe you’re heading down to the peninsula, where you’ll position yourself at a seaside pub for the countdown. Either way, a great ensemble will set the tone for your night – and maybe even for the year to come.

The Dressy Dinner

A ball or fancy dinner party grants permission to go all out (a rare pleasure in this age of dressing down). A floor-length black gown, like this cupro halter-neck from Viktoria & Woods, exudes luxury, especially when teamed with a sculptural cuff or dramatic earring – but it’s also a piece you’ll wear and rewear for years to come.  For men, a classic M.J. Bale suit – suave, well-cut, meticulously crafted – nails the assignment.

Fairytale Dress, $850 from Viktoria and Woods, Level 2

Flynn Jacket, $649 from MJ Bale, Level 1

The Backyard Barbecue

It’s the kind of occasion where you want to be casual and comfortable, but you also want to feel put-together and chic. It’s not NYE every night of the year, after all. A dark denim dress gives an air of cool without trying, and this Zimmermann one boasts flattering boning and an A-line midi skirt (fun to twirl in when the music inevitably blasts). A chambray or navy shirt is the menswear equivalent – or really, any 100 percent linen or cotton button-down from Sportscraft.

Crush Denim Corset Dress, $1100 from Zimmermann, Level 1

Short Sleeve Stanton Shirt, $129.99 from Sportscraft, Level 2

The Dance Party

Perhaps you’re going to a club, or to a house or warehouse where your MO is to dance. Consider it your cue to sparkle: this Camilla and Marc mini dress – dotted with beads and pearls – will shimmer as you move, keep you cool in the heat, and work equally well with towering heels or a cute pair of flats for hard-working party feet. And for men? Try Calibre for party shirts that, in the words of the Arctic Monkeys, really do look good on the dance floor.

Constellation Dress, $750 from Camilla and Marc, Level 2

Assorted shirts from Calibre, Level 1

The Sunset Picnic

Few cities do parks like Melbourne, which is a good reason to gather at the Botanic Gardens or Edinburgh Gardens for spritzes, champagne, cheese and charcuterie before watching the fireworks. Wear something easy and breezy – like this one-shoulder Aje dress with a subtle zebra print. It’s festive but not fussy – a vibe that men can achieve, too, with a classic Ralph Lauren polo.

Daze Dress, $249 from Aje, Level 2

Custom Slim FIt Stretch Polo, $179 from Ralph Lauren, Level 1

The Beach Getaway

Linen by the beach? Groundbreaking. But really, a lightweight linen dress or two-piece is hard to go past for summer nights in the salty air – and that doesn’t have to mean being beige or boring. This Alemais mini shirtdress is splashed with a vibrant print that screams celebration. Linen is a fail-safe option for men, too, and a timeless shirt from Jac and Jack paired with chinos or shorts will work – cliches aside – from day to night and straight into 2025.

Alemais Nadia Mini, $569 from Husk, Level 2

Christopher Shirt, $280 from Jac + Jack, Level 2