What to Wear: New Year's Eve / travel

Where to party? Who to kiss? Lucky number (20)13 is about to ring its way into the new year, and before the ball drops on 2012, we have the last minute fashion picks for a trio of destinations. Here’s to giving this year the old heave ho—in style, naturally.

Beach Bunny: Tulum, Mexico

A favorite of the fashion industry, this Mexican oceanside town has come a long way from its sleepy origins as a down-the-road cousin to Cancun. Here chic doesn’t necessarily mean all-out razzle dazzle. Instead, go for more of a natural look in this easy-breezy cocktail dress with ruffles that mimic the sea ($256 by Sandro). Refined silver flat sandals will work even at the fabulously designed Be Tulum. For a more luxe look, these white pumps with silver trim ($79.99 by Vince Camuto) will show off your hard-won tan. (No tan? Get a little sunny boost with this highlighter stick from NARS ($39) in the complexion-flattering St. Barts shade.) Add these free-spirited earrings in silver with blue and green stones ($68) and this quirky-cute clutch with elephant motif ($105). This being more of sleepy town (many places close at 10 p.m. on non-holiday nights), start your evening early with the last sunset of 2012, where these two-tone sunglasses by DVF will come in handy ($93).

Where to Go: Start your night with a drink at the quaint and charming Posada Margherita. Diners can stay and enjoy the Italian menu on the beach, or go for more local-inspired fare instead at Ginger, an intimate restaurant with a modern menu that includes dishes like grilled chicken thighs rubbed in Yucatan spices and tropical ceviche. Night owls and scenesters can party at Mezzanine featuring an underwater-mermaid theme and DJ talent from Ibiza (dinner and party for $120/person, or party only for $20/person).


City Girl: New York City

In the city that never sleeps, gild the proverbial lily with an outfit ready for an all-nighter. Sure a sexy frock is the default look, but with temperatures usually near freezing, try these fancy pants instead in gold and black lace ($160). On top, add a bit of Gotham edge with a black leather tank ($275 at All Saints) worn with a cropped chain vest—an unconventional take on the usual party jewelry ($188 by BCBG Max Azria). Pull the look together with chain and black leather heels ($129) and this knockout glitter globe gold clutch ($395). Finally, perk up lips for midnight with a memorable red, such as YSL’s slightly plumping Rouge Volupte color in Red Muse ($34).

Where to Go: With restaurants everywhere, the choices are near limitless. For out-of-towners, the Meatpacking District offers dinner and clubbing packages like the 9:30 p.m. seating at Toy in the Gansevoort Hotel ($175 per person for five courses). If you’re ready to throw down the greenbacks, bottle service for up to six starts at 11 p.m. for a $1,500 minimum, which includes two bottles of vodka and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. There’s also an open bar option for $150 per person from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Or, escape the traffic in Manhattan by booking a room at the Wythe hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Downstairs, the Reynard restaurant is accepting New Year’s Eve reservations, and will be featuring innovative American fare like carpaccio with sea urchin and cobia accompanied by rutabaga, smoked almond, and swiss chard. You’ll also be walking distance to plenty of bars along Bedford Avenue and Wythe for people-watching and drinks-ordering, like the Brooklyn Brewery which will have 10 different beers on tap with BBQ for grub ($100/person).

Meanwhile over in the Vinegar Hill/DUMBO area, Vinegar Hill House is offering a gut-busting dinner that the restaurant is calling "La Grand Bouffe," after a 1973 French-Italian film by Marco Ferreri about a feast. (You can always start that diet in the new year.) Per person, $80 will get you exotic servings of wild boar and veal kidney, while a late night seating coupled with champagne goes for $100. You can always walk it off by taking an after-midnight stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge (free!).


Mountain Maven: Lake Tahoe

Vail and Aspen may have the fancier lodges, but when it comes to natural settings, Lake Tahoe and its surrounding peaks are tough to match. An alpine New Year’s Eve will certainly be chilly so layer up with a few basics. If you’re wearing a skirt, like this sequined and patterned dazzler by Express ($59.90), have a pair of merino wool stockings underneath, perhaps in a rich navy ($69 by Falke). Tuck them into a pair of taupe shearling boots with a rubbery sole for grip ($132.99). For a turn around the Heavenly Ice Rink before grub and beers at MacDuffs Public House, wear a warm sweater on top, like this fuzzy angora blend with a plunging v-neck ($95 by Aritzia). Accentuate the neckline with a snow cluster pendant necklace embellished with flattering pearl beads ($26). Don this fun faux fox fur hat ($195) and add this small silver bag with long strap for the girl on the go ($136 by Sandro). To pump up the neutral on neutral look, add a smoky eye for the night. Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes are a beauty editor’s favorite; for drama, this "Smoked" line-up at $49.

Where to Go: Casinos abound on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and near Heavenly. Head to the Montbleu Resort, Casino and Spa, where three Vegas-style parties will be going off (read: go-go dancers, performers, and DJs). Tickets are $55 in advance or $75 beginning Dec. 29.

Into a more low-key, family-friendly affair? Head to PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn; the resort will be hosting a fireworks show at 9 p.m. followed by a 21-plus party at Olympic House ($10 per person). Alternatively, Kirkwood will be celebrating its 40th birthday as well as ringing in the new year, and will feature fire dancers and a parade. The adult version will be at Red Cliffs Day Lodge where music will be pumping into the wee hours of the night.