Holiday Party and New Year's Eve Outfits Under $50 That Look Like a Million

The text comes in on a Tuesday: holiday party Saturday, dress up. Then another one: New Year's Eve, we're going out. You open your closet and see the same three going-out tops you've worn all year, and you start doing the math.

Here's what nobody at that party will ever know: what you paid. A great holiday look isn't about the price tag. It's one piece that catches the light, a fit that looks on purpose and a little confidence. All of that fits under $50.

Look 1: The sequin mini

• The look: a sequin or metallic mini dress with simple black heels
• Under $50: resale apps and thrift racks are full of sequin dresses worn once
• Best for: New Year's Eve and a big night out

Look 2: The black slip dress

• The look: a satin slip dress, statement earrings and a red lip
• Under $50: a simple slip dress costs little, so spend the rest on the earrings
• Best for: almost any party, any dress code

Look 3: Velvet

• The look: a velvet top or dress in deep green, burgundy or black
• Under $50: velvet reads expensive even when it isn't
• Best for: family parties and holiday dinners

Look 4: The satin set

• The look: a satin top with black trousers and heels or boots
• Under $50: wear trousers you already own and buy only the top
• Best for: the work holiday party

Look 5: All black, one shine

• The look: a fitted black outfit you already own, plus one shiny piece, like a sequin top, a metallic bag or sparkly earrings
• Under $50: often under $20, because you're buying one thing
• Best for: when you don't know the dress code

How to make an affordable outfit look expensive

• Fit: pin it, hem it or belt it. A fitted dress beats a baggy one at any price
• Steam it: wrinkles are the first thing that reads cheap
• One shine: sequins or sparkly earrings, not both
• Details: cut every tag and loose thread, and run a lint roller over it
• Shoes: clean and comfortable enough to stand in all night
• Hair and nails: simple and neat beats complicated and rushed

Where to look

• Thrift and resale stores
• Resale apps
• Clearance racks after Black Friday
• Your friends: swap closets, because your old dress is someone else's new one

Going out in the cold?

• Sheer black tights keep the mini dress and add warmth
• A long coat over everything looks polished in every photo
• Boots you can stand in beat heels you'll take off by eleven

Getting paid to dress up

Here's a secret from our side of the business: the holidays are the busiest season for event work. Brands throw parties, stores stay open late and New Year's Eve needs friendly faces at the door, on the floor and behind the welcome table. The girl who knows how to look polished on a budget is exactly the girl who gets booked.

• Holiday events: store openings, brand parties, holiday markets and New Year's Eve events
• Pay with Rockstarr Media: up to $75 an hour on select bookings
• Age: 18 and older. 21 or older for events that serve alcohol

Rather spend New Year's on an island?

If your dream New Year's is a sunset and a cocktail somewhere warm, Rockstarr Media is casting the host of JET SETTERS, our travel series by private jet to exclusive islands. It's for girls 21 and older who can carry a camera the way you carry that sequin dress. Choose JET SETTERS Host when you apply.

How to apply

• Step 1: apply free on our casting page. It takes about three minutes
• Step 2: choose Model, New Faces, or JET SETTERS Host if you're 21 or older
• Step 3: add two clear photos, one close-up and one full length, natural light, no filters
• Step 4: watch your texts and your email from casting@rockstarrmedia.com, and check your spam folder too

Who can apply

• Age: girls 18 and older. 21 or older for alcohol events and JET SETTERS
• Experience: none needed
• Cost: free to apply. You never pay to be considered

Wear the sequins. Take the picture. Then apply, because this season somebody is going to get paid to look this good.