Mules Breya noires posées sur un banc avec un top en satin, des coupes de champagne et des bougies

Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve at home: what to wear (and what to put on your feet)

Christmas Eve with the family or New Year's Eve with friends, are you hosting at home this year? Good news: a New Year's Eve outfit at home can be just as elegant as one for a restaurant, without heels clattering on the floorboards or a dress that pinches at midnight. Here are our outfit ideas for every kind of evening and, above all, what to put on your feet.

The essentials

Pair one dressy piece (satin, velvet, sequins) with one comfortable piece (knitwear, wide-leg trousers).
Match the outfit to the format: a night for two, a family evening or a party with friends all call for different things.
Skip the heels: a black closed clog or a cuffed faux-fur slipper looks smarter than you might think.
Set a dress code for your guests (and let them know if it is a shoes-off house).

What to wear for a party at home

The rule that always works: one dressy piece, one comfy piece. A satin skirt with a chunky jumper, a sequinned top with wide-leg knit trousers, a silk shirt with dark jeans. The contrast is what makes the look, and you stay comfortable from the first toast to the last slice of cake.

For a night in for two

The perfect excuse for satin pyjamas, worn with a long cardigan or a kimono. Elegant, soft and ideal for an evening on the sofa with a good film. A slick of red lipstick and pretty earrings are all it takes to turn it into a party outfit.

For hosting friends

When you are hosting, you are on the move all night: cooking, serving, music, washing up. Choose fluid wide-leg trousers, a shimmering top or a velvet bodysuit, and sleeves you can push up. Avoid delicate fabrics near the hob and keep an apron handy.

For a family evening with children

You will be sitting on the floor, playing and getting up every five minutes. A jumper dress or a ribbed knit co-ord in a deep shade (burgundy, forest green, chocolate) is festive and practical at the same time. Children can climb onto your lap and nothing creases.

For him

A plain shirt under a fine V-neck jumper, or a black roll neck with wool trousers. Simple, sharp and perfectly at home in the living room or the family photo.

What to wear on your feet for a night in

This is often the real question. Heels get tiring fast when you are standing for hours, they mark floors and echo down to the neighbours. Socks alone let the outfit down. In between, there are some elegant options.

The black closed clog: the chic option

The Sienna comfort clog in black is our favourite for a party night: its adjustable metal buckle works like jewellery, and the cushioned footbed hugs your arch so you can last all night. It goes with a satin skirt as well as wide-leg trousers. To choose well, read our guide clogs or slippers for the house.

The cuffed slipper: the cosy-chic option

With satin pyjamas or a knit co-ord, a cosy slipper is a confident choice. The Merano cuffed slipper, with its wide faux-fur cuff and plush lining, comes in pink, beige, taupe, grey, light grey, brown and black, in sizes 36 to 45. Pink and light grey have a genuinely festive feel.

What about your guests?

If you ask guests to take their shoes off, let them know in advance so they can wear nice socks, or keep a few pairs to lend. Our tips for doing it tactfully are in taking your shoes off at home. To kit out the whole household, our build-your-own bundle brings two pairs to €59.98 and three pairs to €79.98.

Pink Merano slippers in vegan suede with a wide faux-fur cuff, worn for a cosy night in

How to look elegant and stay comfortable all night

One shiny piece: sequins, satin or lurex, but on a single item. Keep the rest matte and soft.
Layers: the temperature rises with the oven and the guests, then drops after midnight. A cardigan or light jacket over your shoulders sorts it.
Accessories rather than a stiff outfit: a necklace, a gold hair clip, a red lip. The comfort stays, and so does the party feel.
Warm feet: floors are cold in winter, especially tiles. A lined pair changes the whole evening.

A pyjama party for New Year's Eve: good idea or not?

A good idea, as long as you commit to it! A pyjama party needs planning: tell your guests, choose satin, velvet or checked flannel pyjamas, and add matching slippers. It is friendly, very photogenic and perfect with children. For a more formal dinner, wear satin pyjamas as a co-ord instead, with a closed clog.

Good to know: our vegan suede styles are true to size, but go one size up if you are unsure. Delivery is free and you have 60 days to change your mind.

Frequently asked questions

How should I dress for a New Year's Eve party at home?

Pair one dressy piece with one comfortable piece: a satin skirt and a knit jumper, or a shimmering top and wide-leg trousers. Finish with flat, smart shoes such as a black closed clog.

Can you wear slippers on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve?

Yes, especially at home. A cuffed faux-fur slipper in pink, beige or black goes beautifully with satin pyjamas or a knit co-ord. For a dressier dinner, choose a closed clog.