Chic at 60ish!

Though I love holidays, parties, and getting dressed up, I admit, I’m often apprehensive about New Year’s Eve. Everyone tries so hard to have a good time, then honestly spends half the evening looking at their watches, waiting for the ball to drop. And I hate that “Old Lang Syne” song, it makes me want to cry.

NEW YEAR, NEW HOME: Last year’s New Year’s Eve table in my beautiful new apartment—silver confetti, gold candles & red flowers in champagne glasses add a little sparkle! Dishes & crystal were my mom’s, new candelabra from Home Grown in Haverford

That said, as soon as someone hands me the first glass of champagne, I’m in the spirit to party! I am fortunate to spend New Year’s with wonderful friends, rotating houses each year so no one needs to drive far—and of course once it’s decided who will host, I begin to think of what I’ll wear and, even more fun, how I’ll do my table if hosting.

CHAMPAGNE CHIC: Lighting candles before my guests arrive, champagne-color cashmere sweater & silk pants from reemacra.com—top hats & horns on the chest behind me help get the party started!

What to wear? I have used this phrase before, but New Year’s is truly the night to look like a glass of champagne. Something sparkly. Something sequin. Something with a little glitz. You want to shimmer. This is the night for black & white, silver & gold.

THE NIGHT TO SPARKLE: Sarah Jessica Parker in Oscar de la Renta in NYC; an array of metallic looks at ralphlauren.com

Jazz it up a bit, have some attitude. Big jewelry, real or faux. Heels with rhinestones or studs. Dangly earrings. Lots of bracelets. Big rings. Here is your chance to go over-the-top. Be fabulous!

SHINE ON: Rhinestone & velvet Chamberlain jacket from lagence.com; Louboutin black patent stilettos at neimanmarcus.com

And then there’s my table. My theme is black, gold, and silver, with a pop of color. Black floral tablecloth, gold lay plates, black Lalique dishes (inherited from my mom!) and bountiful gold & silver confetti draped through my chandelier and sprinkled on the table. For centerpieces, I’m using gold top hats and crystal champagne flutes filled with flowers, marching down the center of my table. Tiaras for the ladies, top hats for the men. (The other way round looks fantastic too!)

TIME TO PARTY: Flowers in top hats & champagne flutes march down the center of my table—a beautiful, creative table says, “This is going to be a fun night!”

Don’t you love the sound of a popping cork?  For me, midnight must include pink champagne in beautiful flutes, and toasts and kisses all around. Years ago, my daughter made us a terrific dance mix to play through the TV (no idea how to do that but it’s very cool). In the old days, after the ball dropped, we used to roll up the rug, dance and work off dessert till 2 am. Not sure if we’re all still dancing at 60ish (too many new hips & knees!)—but all in all, looking forward to a very fun night, despite that creepy “Auld Lang Syne” song!

LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK: My gratitude to every reader—I was hesitant to start “CHIC AT 60ISH,” only to find I love writing every week—and especially love hearing back from you! Gold sweater from ralphlauren.com

Besides the glam, New Year’s is surely a time for taking stock, looking forward and looking back. I would surely be remiss if I did not thank you—my readers—for your overwhelming support, kind words, and compliments. It is my pleasure to please you, bringing you the latest in fashion, style, entertaining, and new trends every week.

A TOAST TO MY WONDERFUL READERS—AS WELL AS CHERISHED FAMILY & FRIENDS! So grateful for my fabulous children, Jonathan & Lauren; Silvia Tcherassi sequin pants from Boyds Philadelphia

On that note, I wish each and every one of my readers a Happy, Healthy, Wonderful & Chic New Year—I’m taking off the month of January & will be back in February for “New Year, New You”—Let’s raise a glamorous pink champagne toast to all the best for all of us in 2025! Ellyn Golder Saft