If you’re the type to plan your outfit in advance, you likely already know what you’ll be wearing for New Year’s Eve. But if you’re more focused on festive treats (hello, Terry’s Chocolate Orange), your party wardrobe is probably the last thing on your mind as the year winds down.

Of course you can opt for a fail-safe sequin dress or the jeans and nice top combo, but we’re here to tell you that this New Year’s Eve is all about the suit. No, it’s not just for officewear and interviews– in our eyes, and the street style set alike, a suit means party time. 

At the autumn/winter 2024 catwalks, Fendi and Carolina Herrera reimagined classic workwear with tailored suits worn shirtless and paired with bold lipstick. Eudon Choi presented double-breasted velvet blazers in chic shades of grey, alongside draped dresses and trench coats. Meanwhile, Dries Van Noten made a striking statement with fluorescent pink and midnight blue hi-vis suits.

So, how do you style a suit for an evening? From razor-sharp designs to luxurious textures and unexpected colour pairings, this season’s suit trends bring fresh energy to eveningwear. Below, we’ve made an edit of the best five suit styles to try now – proving that the look to goes far beyond the 9 to 5.

Forget the LBD for a moment, it’s all about the black suit. Effortlessly stylish, it will go with any top and accessories you team it with. The best part? It looks instantly New-Year-Ready with a simple slick of lipstick and black shades  à la Anouk Yve, above.

Note: pointed kitten heels instead of courts takes it firmly away from workwear territory. 

Party season is all about luxurious textures and fabrics that look instantly premium, so velvet is a must-have. What other way to soften up suiting than with a sumptuous blazer and wide leg trousers combo? Lois Sterling opts for a Monsoon green number, but we also love this belted wrap option, available at Debenhams. 

When it comes to styling, velvety fabrics complement high-shine metallics so go for a golden top or silver mules to complete the look. 

When you think of partywear and ringing in the new year, sequins are likely one of the first things that spring to mind. They’re the perfect choice to celebrate in style, making a bold statement on their own with little styling. You can keep your look simple with minimal accessories like Claudia Winkleman or go all-out with statement earrings and a beaded bag.

Either way, this burgundy suit from Coast is so dreamy you’ll wear it again and again and… you get the picture. 

We’ve all been loving the checked blazer of late, but for party season it’s all about switching the trusty daytime style for an evening-appropriate animal print. 

The ever stylish Grece styles hers simply with just a golden adorned handbag to let the suit take centre stage – we’ll be following suit (pun intended). 

The brighter, the better when it comes to colourful styles. Though you can keep it tonal with the same colour top, we love pairing contrasting shades for more of a statement. Style this pink Sézane pick with a verdant green or pillar-box red cami. Add a silver bag for a clash that always works. 

Images: Getty; brands.