Old Hollywood Inspired New Year’s Eve Dresses & Outfits for Women

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Old Hollywood inspired News Years Eve Dresses. Get inspired from classic fashion icons like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Lucille Ball, Mae West in outfits including floor length gowns, flapper style dresses, classic little black dresses, spaghetti strap dresses and off the shoulder gowns, and strapless dresses

This post is all about Old Hollywood inspired New Year’s Eve Dresses

“Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody.” —Phyllis McGinley

Looking for the perfect outfit to ring in the new year?

Tired of the trendy and cheap, fast fashion looks, and searching for something old–yet something new?

How about some classic and timeless Old Hollywood fashion inspiration?

It’s time to get the inside style scoop from the most iconic fashion icons and silver screen legends on what to wear, as you cheer your way into the new year.

Today we’re looking to the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Lucille Ball, and curvy screen legend Mae West to get their style secrets for the perfect outfit to toast in a new year.

Whether you’re looking for a floor length formal gown, a flapper inspired style, a new take on the little black dress, an unexpected vintage boho chic style, or a casual look, there’s something for everyone!

Now, grab your pre-game bubbly and let’s get ready to slide into the new year with style… 

New Year’s Eve Dresses: Old Hollywood Glam Floor Length Gowns

On the hunt for a dream dress to ring in the New Year?

Check out the stunning red chiffon gown, that the famed costume designer Helen Rose, designed for the gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor for The Last Time I Saw Paris 1954. (below)

The translucent straps, glittering bodice and full floor length skirts in deep red sizzle in the ultimate Old Hollywood Glam style.

This dress initially caused an uproar on set, since the censor said it was too risqué. (Too much skin showing!).

But rumor has it that the director cursed the censor until she left.

So the filming resumed with the long red dress, which would then go on to make history. 

Fun fact!

Helen Rose also designed the iconic wedding dress for Grace Kelly’s wedding to the Prince of Monaco. For more on Grace Kelly’s fairytale romance and 1950s wedding dresses:
Grace Kelly Engagement Ring – Her Stunning Ring & Fairytale Romance
50s Wedding Dress – Inspiring Vintage Dresses from the 1950s.

Another stunning vintage glam style that oozes 1930s elegance is the floor length, figure-skimming bias cut dress.  

Talk about a look that never goes out of style!

Mae West (top left) takes her New Year’s dress to the next level with dramatic statement earrings, a glittering necklace, an oversized diamond bangle, and jeweled accents on her bodice.

Billie Seward and a very young blonde Lucille Ball (top right) opt for sequin dresses and metallic glittery fabrics that ooze 30’s glamour.

The luxurious fabrics of these figure skimming gowns glitter enough, that they don’t require any extra jewels.

Tips to take the bias cut dress to the next level?

Style your hair in feminine retro waves, and apply tasteful retro makeup. 

If you love 1930s glamour, then you’ll love:
1930s Glamour – The Glam Style of Hollywood’s Golden Age

Classic New Year’s Eve Dresses: Gorgeous Floral Dresses

Floral patterns are a timeless look that are just as perfect for dance floor, or sipping bubbly with your BFF.

One classy option is to opt for a floral lace sleeveless formal dress with matching gloves, and glittering statement earrings.

Floral midi dresses come in a range of styles and are universally flattering with fitted bodice and a line skirt styles.

We love the translucent short sleeves on Lucille Ball’s party dress. (bottom left)

Looks like her real life hubby, Desi Arnaz (and co-star of her smash hit TV show I Love Lucy show is stealing a kiss… and there’s not even mistletoe in sight! 

We also love the feminine floral gown that the German singer and actress Inge Brück (bottom right) wears, as she flashes a smile during a New Year’s broadcast in Germany.

New Year’s Eve Outfit: The Roaring Twenties Flapper

Love the sexy glitz of the flapper style? 

What a perfect look for stealing the limelight in dazzling 1920s glam.

Beads, bubbly, and dramatic bell sleeves are all musts, for sexy flappers who want to stay warm!

And don’t forget the streamers, vintage waves, retro make-up, and pumps.

Fun Fact!

The Prohibition Era (where drinking was a no no by law) kicked off in 1928, shortly after the below stars were partying.

And prohibition wouldn’t come to a close until 1933. 

New Year’s Eve Dresses: The Little Black Dress

“A woman can be overdressed, but never over elegant”.  – Coco Chanel 

Coco Chanel, the legendary designer credited with creating the little black dress never spoke truer words.

Actress Joanne Woodward stuns in her little black dress paired with rows of pearls and matching pearl earrings, as she leans in to kiss her hot hubby, actor Paul Newman.

One of the rare true romances that stood the test of time, this couple would go to enjoy more than 50 years of marriage together.

Sigh. True love does exist after all… even in Old Hollywood!

New Years Eve Dresses: Spaghetti Straps & Thin Straps

Femme fatale, Jayne Mansfield, a sex symbol of the 1950s and early 1960s, sizzles in her figure skimming New Years Eve wiggle dress.

Also famous for her numerous publicity stunts and open personal life, it’s no wonder that she had to pose in not one, but two different NY party dresses.

Looks like she’s in the mood for champagne and white dresses for ringing in the new year!

Which do you prefer — her curve hugging wiggle dress style (so tight that you have to wiggle as you walk), or her lace mermaid style?

Elizabeth Taylor and the classy Martha Hyer also turn heads in their stunning formal dresses. (below)

It’s not just the perfect dress that elevates the special occasion look. 

Notice the simple and classy statement jewels each is wearing, as well as their simple make-up, and perfectly coffered hair styles–sculpted waves or a smart chignon updo.

Want to hazard a bet that the famed jewel collector, Elizabeth Taylor, is wearing real diamonds? 

Heck yeah.

“Big girls need big diamonds.” – Elizabeth Taylor

The final two NYE dresses to round out the Old Hollywood strappy dress section ooze classy femininity.

Alice Faye, (bottom left) the lovely musical star of 1930s and 1940s, stuns in a simple white floor length gown. 

Her glittering “1936” signage is only rivaled by her cheeky smile.

The fluidity of Piper Laurie‘s (bottom right) sweetheart princess gown with spaghetti straps contrasts with her dramatic black opera gloves.

Classic New Year’s Eve Dresses: Off the Shoulder

“I like to feel blonde all over.” – Marilyn Monroe

Blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe flashes her famous smile, while an eager admirer helps her fasten her New Years eve party hat. (below)

Notice how her glittery white off the shoulder gown, almost matches her golden locks.

Plus her evening gown beautifully contrasts with her black fur stole.

To recreate this look, try on a stack of figure skimming metallic dresses and faux fur coats.

New Year’s Eve Black Tie Dresses: Strapless Style

Princess Grace Kelly rings in the new year in a classic strapless white dress, with her real life Prince Rainer of Monaco. (bottom left)

Doesn’t her white dress look eerily like the gown Grace Kelly wore as she dazzled the gorgeous jewelry burglar (played by Cary Grant) in the 1955 To Catch a Thief?

For more of Grace Kelly’s style in the Hitchcock thriller:
To Catch a Thief Grace Kelly – 10 Elegant Outfits You’ll Love

Another sultry beauty rings in the new year in a strapless Old Hollywood glam style. (bottom right)

Is she about to put on that masquerade mask and go incognito? 

Notice how both the blue-eyed Grace Kelly and “unnamed beauty” pair long black gloves with their strapless evening gowns. 

Get more strapless style cocktail gown inspiration with Your Guide to the 1940s Cocktail Dress.

Formal Events: Boho Chic New Year’s Eve Dresses

Love free-spirited, relaxed, and unconventional girly style?

Think that Modern Boho chic style is just a refresh on the alternative hippie style of the 1960s and 1970s?

Well, think again!

Pedaling back to the 1920s and early 1930s, is a girly reminder that there’s nothing new under the sun.

These two Old Hollywood legends help set us straight on Boho Chic and provide some fabulous inspo for a Modern Boho formal dress styles.

Alice White, (bottom left) who first gained acclaim in the late silent era films, loves her bow accents and aeclectic flowy style.

And Bette Davis, (bottom right) one greatest actresses in of Old Hollywood history, says yes to the dress with long sleeves, frills, and, umm… pom poms?

We love the retro free-spirited vibe of these boho chic gowns.

New Years Eve Outfits: Costumes & Drama

Bold looks and drama is the name of the game for these vintage new years eve outfits.

Jane Wyman (below) stuns in her costume style long black dress.

Is this a black tie circus performer outfit? 

We adore the drama and unexpected drop waist of this retro style!

Fun Fact!

Not only did Jane Wyman have a distinguished career in Old Hollywood, but she was also famous for being the first wife of the former president and Old Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan.

The exotic Dorothy Lamour, (bottom left) most famous for her seven “Road to…” films cast opposite Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, is once on the road to somewhere in her stunning masquerade inspired costume style.

(Now curious enough to watch one?  Road to Zanzibar 1941 is a fan favorite .) 

Judy Garland, (bottom right) without the pigtails and cute terrier, gets comedic as she tries to sneak into the new year.

(Yes, this is the one and only Dorothy from the original Wizard of Oz 1939)

We all agree that her retro peep toe pumps are sparkling red, right?

Casual New Year’s Eve Outfit

Looking for a cozy, yet classy style to ring in the new year?

A short sleeve sweater dress never goes out style!

The gorgeous Jane Greer is most famous for her sizzling femme fatale role in the 1947 thriller Out of the Past.

This casual outfit is the perfect choice for sipping bubbly, whether out for a NYE party, or while curled up at home watching old classics, as the clock ticks down to the new year.

Retro waves, classic make-up, and gold belt, complete this classy cozy style.

This post was all about Old Hollywood Inspired New Years Eve Dresses and New Years Eve Outfit styles, from glam floor length gowns to casual styles. 

Which new years eve dress styles were your favorite?

Any particular colors, or styles catch your attention?

Do you like the white dresses or floral dresses?

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