The Worst Celeb New Year's Eve Outfits Of All Time
New Year's Eve fashion is all about fun, sparkle, and glam (just like New Year's Eve manicures). But sometimes, that's easier said than done, because even our favorite celebrities don't get it right every time. Instead, some have seen out the year without a big, firework-esque bang and have limped into a new style era with a disappointing fizzle. Take Paris Hilton, who took dressing up for the big party night a little too literally while ringing in 2003 in Miami.
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The reality star posed in a strapless, blue and white mini dress with lace detailing under the ruffle skirt. She paired it with strappy silver heels, a small bag in a different shade of blue, and a tiara. The former "The Simple Life" star gave us Cinderella vibes, just not in a good way, because her 'fit looked more like a half-hearted costume than fashion-forward party attire, reading way too juvenile and coquettish for a NYE party. But she's not the only one who ended the year in an ensemble that missed the mark.
Carly Rae Jepsen's red and black look was mismatched
Carly Rae Jepsen's red and black outfit for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013" felt confused. She wore a black crop top with sheer sleeves and lace, fingerless gloves, plus a super long, A-Line maxi skirt. The bright red number overwhelmed her frame and didn't complement the edgier, almost goth pieces on her top half. The skirt also appeared difficult to maneuver, thanks to its layers of tulle and mesh, which potentially made it difficult for her to move freely on stage.
Kesha's hotpants were too chilly for NYE
Granted, Kesha's look for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2011" was on brand for her, but it wasn't practical. The "Timber" hitmaker stood in the middle of Times Square on the last day of December in tiny, purple sequin hotpants over holey fishnets, complete with a ripped pink top and sparkly jacket. She paired the messy ensemble with open-toe stilettos (which showed her toes poking through her hosiery) and unflattering, bright turquoise lipstick. The other issue? She had to be freezing in her barely-there bottoms and no coat.
Pamela Anderson's nude and black number was bland
Pamela Anderson attended a New Year's Eve party in Las Vegas in 2011, wearing a plunging nude dress and matching platform shoes. The former "Baywatch" star attempted to spice up her color palette with a black clutch, but it was too understated. The actor needed to make more of a statement (via the likes of more eye-catching, bedazzled, or colorful accessories) as the nude — which was too close to her skin tone — and black were too bland for a Vegas night out on NYE.
Taylor Swift's gloves ruined her look
As much as we liked the glittery black and gold skater dress Taylor Swift wore for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009," it was let down by her fingerless, leather-look gloves that stretched as far as her bicep. The accessories were too edgy for Swift's style at the time and didn't complement the delicate femininity of the dress. Combined with her black hosiery and boots, her outfit was also overly monochrome for the most celebratory night of the year. Unfortunately, this "Fearless" style era wasn't her worst either.
Kim Kardashian's shiny, sequin number was too busy
Kim Kardashian rang in 2009 in Las Vegas in a distracting dress. She wore a very shiny gold maxi that was too long for her 5-foot, 3-inch frame, thus dragging it along the red carpet. Equally, the large sequins over smaller sequins, plus the bedazzled chain detail around her waist and keyhole chest opening, were too busy — even for New Year's. The look would have been chicer had "The Kardashians" star pulled her hair into a sleek updo, allowing the dress to have its moment.
Charli XCX exposed her white bra and undies
Charli XCX's all-white look during "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2015" wasn't her best. The star wore a lace dress with a sheer chest panel and two mesh slits with silver clips over her legs. Though the star appeared to be going for a sultry bridal-inspired look, the shiny dress material looked cheap, and her overtly exposed underwear was distracting, as well as being a fashion mistake that's a total turn-off.
Abigail Spencer's look was better suited for a summer bash
Abigail Spencer attended The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas' grand opening on New Year's Eve in 2010, but she was dressed for a far more casual summer event. Her floaty, floral, green maxi dress didn't give NYE vibes at all. Though it's admirable that she stayed true to her personal style, considering stars like Taraji P. Henson and Whitney Port attended in fun and flirty party garb, the "Grey's Anatomy" star looked totally out of place on the red carpet.
Mary J. Blige's trench-inspired garment looked out of place
Mary J. Blige attended Tila Tequila's MTV New Year's Eve Masquerade 2008 in a mismatched look. It's hard to tell if her short-sleeve trench coat-inspired garment was supposed to be a coat or a dress, but she wore a long-sleeve, high-neck black top underneath with boots and a beret, which made her look frumpy and felt out of place for a glitzy New Year's bash. The star also wore dark aviators, which was a strange choice for an indoor, winter event.
Rita Ora's loud coat wasn't practical for the Big Apple
Rita Ora was spotted in Times Square on New Year's Eve, ringing in 2024 in a loud coat that totally swamped her frame. Her outerwear almost skimmed the floor and was covered in patches of long, white faux fur. Though we can't fault the "Your Song" singer for wanting to stay warm on the wintry night, the maximalist, cream number was too busy and bulky, and likely got dirty (especially at the ends) after a night in the epicenter of New York City.