For December 31, 2017, festive means sparkle — metallic, crystals, glitter, sequins. If you can’t bring yourself to slip into sequins, then grab a glitter eye shadow or glimmering accessory. Wear sparkle somewhere. Read more here to learn about crystals.

By Maureen Mancini Amaturo

The only thing more exciting than the countdown to the 12-o’clock kiss is the outfit you wear. New Year’s Eve is a go-big-or-go-home fashion adventure. It’s the night when you can pull put all the stops. For December 31, 2017, festive means sparkle — metallic, crystals, glitter, sequins. If you can’t bring yourself to slip into sequins, then grab a glitter eye shadow or glimmering accessory. Wear sparkle somewhere.

The Dressing

Sparkle doesn’t mean expensive. There are great options at the fast-fashion capitals, like Forever 21, Marshalls, and T.J. Maxx. Don’t forget Rent the Runway (renttherunway.com). Check out the Cynthia Rowley Rainbow Sequin Mod Shift Dress, which retails for $448, but the rent-to-wear price is $50-$80. Pair this dress with an ankle-strapped, high-heeled sandal, and you <are> the party.

Prefer pants? Try metallic jacquard slim-leg or sequined jogger pants. Check out what Michael Kors and Tahari are offering at Macy’s. If you’re wearing sparkle bottoms, keep it low-key on top, and vice versa, i.e. a twinkling top, blazer with bling, or sequined bomber jacket, try a velvet (or denim) pencil skirt or pants.

Sparkle phobia?

All is not lost. Alternate top party picks are:

• Velvet, especially in rich, jewel tones

• A jumpsuit, the No. 1 alternative to a party dress this year

• High-waisted pants and a silky or satin blouse–both fabrics have a sheen for a subdued shine factor.

• Pencil skirt in velvet or lace •Colorful faux fur jacket — in the same color as your dress for monochrome elegance, for a more casual look, with denim. If you want to dress to thrill, and you really mean it, try a multi-colored faux fur coat. For show-stopping chic, wear white faux fur over a white dress or white pants and a white blouse.

New Year’s Eve Accessories

• Swarovski jewelry: add a crystal cuff bracelet or clear choker so even if you’re wearing a classic LBD, your sparkle stands out.

• Sequined clutch/wristlet

• Glitter ankle boots, great with slim-leg velvet or denim pants

• Glitter makeup (Eyes: Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow, Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips. Lips: L’Oreal INFALLIBLE PAINT Metallics, Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil Liquid Lipstick)

• Dramatic drop earrings

• Embellished headband, with stones, flowers, beads.

Picture Perfect

Holidays and special events are big photo ops. You want to look great for posterity, right? These tips can help you ace picture-taking.

Some colors photograph better than others. Lee Eiseman, the Executive Director at Pantone Color Institute and author of the new book, “The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition”, says, “Solid colors are always best, as opposed to patterns. Very pale pastels and whites can make the subject looked washed-out. However, color in makeup can help considerably. Cameras sometimes have difficulty adjusting between very bright contrasts, so it’s best to keep brights as solid pieces, as opposed to separates.”

Eiseman’s options? “The best colors are deep reds, teals/turquoises, and other shades in the blue-green family (the most universally flattering family of all colors). Rich and deeper greens, purples, and blue are all good. If a neutral is preferred, gray is the best, even better than black. Earthy and warm browns are good. Black and white together can offer too much contrast as well. Mid-tone or more vibrant rose-pink tones and corals are flattering.”

As for a striking pose, try the celebrities’ trick. To create the illusion of longer legs, lean back and extend you’re your legs instead of standing straight. Cross them for a narrower silhouette (to look thinner).

Happy 2018. As John Lennon said, “Well, we all shine on.”

Matte silver sequined Norma Kamali top at Great Stuff

Glittering clutches at Clutch

Navy paillette camisole at Angela’s

Silver and white paillette jumpsuit at Angela’s

Rose glitter boots by Dirty Laundry at Marshalls

Sequin and metallic thread tops at Clutch