Don't trick yourself into going out just because you want to get dressed up - the two experiences are not mutually exclusive

Popularly held belief: New Year's Eve is both overrated and overpriced (I paraphrased this sentiment from Entourage's Ari Gold).

Unfortunate fact in spite of the above: We still make plans and waste money and wake up feeling especially let down by the expectations we set at a bar so high that not even LeBron James could dunk on them.

New theory: In spite of the fact that intellectually, we know that New Year's Eve is the overwhelming manifestation of exactly the kind of pressure we resolve to abandon at the start of a new year, we also always remember the night. And thus there is palpable pressure, you see, to make memories we want to remember.

So how does one reconcile two disparate beliefs in order to achieve satisfaction?

Goal modification.

Mindset reorientation.

An excuse to get dressed up that is not mutually exclusive with doing something that requires you to get dressed up. This is the important one — and I don't know if this is the case for you, but often times I will quite frankly make plans just to have an occasion to wear a new dress, or head band, or robe. Which I didn't realize until I started writing this thing and now that I'm here, I feel my head exploding!

Example: This New Year's Eve, I will refuse to attend a dramatic restaurant with a menu of (g)astronomic prices you'd think were fixed for domestic dwelling space fees. But this will not count out the outfit I anticipated to be perfect for the occasion. Indeed, the striped ankle-length dress and starry stole and heels so high I'm forced to make another reference to Lebron James dunking will weather the lack of weather experienced indoors, where I plan to drink libations with 3-5 of my closest friends over crudités and hummus.

Céline dress, Creatures of the Wind fur sole (another option here), Charlotte Olympia shoes

And for the gala being held where dreams come true at Grand Prospect Hall? Here's my RSVP, "No." I'll be far too busy whipping cream into my hot chocolate at the all-you-can-eat, breakfast-for-lunch buffet.

Johanna Ortiz polka dot outfit, J.Crew turtleneck, Paula Mendoza earrings, Benoît Missolin headband, Simon Miller bag with Shourouk tassels coming out of it

And because there is a possibility you already planned to stay in, here's a recommendation that betrays your classic robe and pajama pants. Go silk or leave home!

Thakoon robe, Dries Van Noten pants, Vilshenko shirt, Sanayi 313 shoes, Edie Parker bag

The holidays may be over, people, but if my clothes can do anything, it is prove that my spirit and cheer can't be crushed.

Photographed by Krista Anna Lewis