Put down that going out shirt. It's going to be OK. Sure, getting dressed for a big (non-black tie) New Year's Eve party is tricky. You can't be too formal, but you don't don't want to that cornball in an unbuttoned shiny shirt. Fortunately, we're here to help. And trust us, getting inside any club–and making a good impression once you're there–gets a whole lot easier if you're dressed well. Which is why we've put together this list of sophisticated, most-definitely-not-cheesy outfits that are perfect for nightlife. But first, a couple of tips.

Stick With Dark (But Not Too Dark) Colors

Given the late hours and moody lighting, a dark outfit with shades of blue, black, and gray will make anyone look sharp. Just don't go overboard and wear black from head to toe, or you'll look like a bar-back.

Strike the Right Balance

You want to ride the fine line between casual and put-together. A lot depends on the particular venue, and what could count as being wildly over- or underdressed in one spot might be right at home in another. So, of course, do some research to figure out the level of formality. But even if the club is especially dressy, you don't want to look like you just came from the office, so leave the tie at home.

1. A Dressed-Down Suit

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Heading to a slightly dressier club? Pull out a suit. But since a navy or gray would look a little too much like you just got off work, go with a just-different-enough color like this subdued blue. That should be formal enough by itself, so you can finish the look with a sweater and some clean, minimal sneakers.

Napoli light blue plain suit ($399) by Suitsupply, suitsupply.com; Cashmere sweater ($380) by Mr P, mrporter.com; Court classic leather sneakers ($495) by Saint Laurent, mrporter.com.

2. A Tee That Looks Like a Million Bucks

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Go casual with washed-out gray jeans and a tee that's a bit sharper than usual, thanks to the stripes. Layer with a light bomber jacket, which makes your outfit look a little more deliberate without feeling stuffy. And to balance it all out, throw in a pair of sleek Chelsea boots.

Transcend Lennox jeans ($199) by Paige, nordstrom.com; Axel techno stealth bomber ($325) by The Arrivals, thearrivals.com; Stripe tee ($450) by Saint Laurent, endclothing.com; Craftsman leather Chelsea boots ($495) by RM Williams, mrporter.com.

3. Some Extra-Sharp Denim

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Black jeans are plenty appropriate for the daytime, but where they really excel is after hours. Look for a pair with an extra-slim cut and a little bit of shine, then top them off with a slubby T-shirt and an updated riff on the classic chore coat. For a hint of formality, pull on a pair of jodhpur boots.

Fit 2 stretch jean ($195) by Rag & Bone, mrporter.com; Air crew ($22) by Everlane, everlane.com; Felted chore coat ($195) by Buck Mason, buckmason.com; Jodhpur boots ($290) by Ami, mrporter.com.

4. A Breezy Blazer

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Combine a blazer (this one's merino wool with minimal lining to keep you cool on the dance floor) and understated desert boots with chinos and an earthy T-shirt. The result: a polished but not overly formal vibe, made entirely of wardrobe staples that you should already own.

Cotton chino trousers ($198) by APC, matchesfashion.com; Milano merino wool blazer ($435) by Sunspel, mrporter.com; Classic pocket tee ($29) by Todd Snyder, toddsnyder.com; Desert Welt ($380) by Clarks Originals, clarksusa.com.

5. The Can't-Miss Button Down

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An overdyed black oxford is foolproof, since it looks incredible on most anyone and is appropriate for almost any occasion. That extends to the club. Tuck it in, roll up the sleeves, and unbutton one more button than you normally would (but no more than three). Round things out with extra-cool sneakers, washed jeans, and a web belt.



Delaware stretch denim jeans ($155) by Hugo Boss, mrporter.com; Jasper oxford shirt ($40) by Frank and Oak, frankandoak.com; Two-tone low suede sneakers ($329) by They, theynewyork.com; Extra long web belt ($22) by Urban Outfitters, urbanoutfitters.com.

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