Send 2010 Out With A Bang (In A Dress)

Update 2:50 p.m.: A tipster has reported that the red dress at Dear Fieldbinder is on sale!

Every woman wants to look her best on New Year's Eve, whether you're ringing it in at a glamorous venue or at an intimate house party. You can't say goodbye to 2010 or hello to 2011 in a pair of sweatpants.

This night's all about celebrating the close of one chapter while heralding the start of the next, and this requires a little silk, a little skin and maybe a five-inch heel (or not). I scoured the many women's boutiques in our fair hood for the hottest and most festive attire for this occasion, finding some beautiful outfits ranging from $42 to nearly $1,000. While I selected my favorite pieces from each shop to share with you, there are many other great New Year's finds in each that you will love as well. My accessory suggestion for all of these? A glass of champagne in each hand...

Barney's CoOp

194 Atlantic Avenue

Alexander Wang, One-shouldered ruched jersey black dress $950

You can't go wrong with black, slinky, or ruched to show some thigh. I love this one-shouldered Alexander Wang dress because it's super sexy but still classic and womanly. This looks like something Eva Green would have worn in Casino Royale, or maybe something Jessica Rabbit would wear if she had another dress in her closet besides the red one. There is a ton of draping and ruching, making this dress hang flatteringly on any body while also revealing the craftsmanship of Wang's design. This dress is also incredibly easy to move in, so looking great doesn't have to be a sacrifice.

174 Court Street

Milly, boatneck top $290

Milly, tuxedo pants $285

Rebecca Taylor, sparkle sweetheart strapless dress $495

I found two great outfits at Diane T, one that even falls under the category of "If you don't want to prance around half naked in 20-degree weather." This is a category I never find myself in, but for those of you out there who do these cropped tuxedo pants and silk blouse with gold teardrops both by Milly are gorgeous and festive. The nearly sheer blouse is boatneck, with beautiful little gold buttons on the shoulders and wrists. The cropped tuxedo pants with satin ribbon down the leg have a Katharine Hepburn "woman in men's clothing" sexiness. I would pair this outfit with some sky-high heels.

For those of you more willing to freeze for fashion, this Rebecca Taylor gray silk dress might be for you. It has a feminine sweetheart neckline, is strapless and has silver sequin embellishment on the bodice. The silk is light and whimsical, and the ruffling and structure of the bodice is very reminiscent of a ballet costume. This is totally "Gray Swan," if you will. This dress would even look great with black tights and stiletto ankle boots and a cropped black blazer or motorcycle jacket (to toughen it up a bit).

198 Smith Street

Myne, "Colette" red strapless mini dress $253

Dear Fieldbinder has quite a few original and sexy (without being over-the-top) little dresses that would be perfect for a New Year's Eve party. They also carry some great designers that you won't find anywhere else in the hood: Opening Ceremony, Dolce Vita and Cynthia Steffe to name a few. I tend to gravitate towards black, silver and gold on New Year's Eve, but if you don't want to opt for a little black dress, try a little red one. This "Colette" dress by Myne is red-hot but simple, with delicate detailing like gold threaded piping along the neckline and bow-like gathering at the back of the waist. Understated, but pretty steamy, the only accessory this dress needs is some red lipstick.

Kaight

382 Atlantic Avenue

Melissa, "Patchuli" peep-toe wedges $140

Matt and Nat, "Laroux" denim studded purse $185

As we hurdle into the future, what better way than to dud yourself out in some eco-friendly gear for your New Year's Eve celebration? Kaight features some of the hottest emerging green designers, promoting environmentally conscious and ethical fashion. Among them, Melissa Plastic Dreams, a Brazilian shoe company that makes eco-conscious, comfortable, waterproof shoes using advanced technology (i.e. plastics). This company has even collaborated with one of my favorite designers, THE Vivienne Westwood. Enough said. Kaight carries quite a lot of styles, but my favorite for New Years is "Patchuli", a beige high wedge with peep toe and ankle strap. The best part is the red stripe along the back of the shoe and red sole. These shoes are super stylish but deceptively comfortable – they will mold to your feet in just a few wears - so you can tromp around all night from party to party.

You're also going to need something to carry around your ID, lipstick, cell phone, etc, and this denim studded "Laroux" (yes, after the singer) purse is perfect for the job. Made by Matt and Nat, a Montreal-based non-leather accessories brand, this purse features a recycled faux suede lining, antique brass hardware like studs, zippers, a chain armstrap, and a PDA, cell phone and zip pocket. I would wear this purse year-round, it's so cool and versatile. Wear it New Year's Eve with a cocktail dress, then wear it with jeans and a bomber jacket the next day to get Advil at the bodega. Perfect.

237 Smith Street

112 Court Street

American Apparel, Stretch Velvet Double U-Neck Mini Dress, Navy $42

There's a time and a place for chain stores like American Apparel. There's also a time and a place for clothing that is simple and not a whole lot to write home about like their stuff is. And to be honest, New Year's Eve could be one of these times, because their dresses are hot and sexy and make you the focal point rather than what you're wearing. God bless American Apparel for affordable little numbers that may have nothing going for them other than some stretchy sex appeal, the versatility to wear it a million times in the future, and a price tag that won't cut into your champagne budget. I loved this stretch velvet dress so much I bought it myself. It also comes in red, maroon, green and black, so knock yourself out. You can dress-up or dress-down this number in a thousand different ways, and you can wear it to brunch New Year's Day without too much shame. Hallelujah to that.