New Year’s Eve is a night filled with jeweled tones, sequins, and good energy. Your zodiac sign in Astrology has a unique fashion blueprint, and the style that you resonate with most often has something to do with your sun, rising, or Venus sign. When it comes to New Year’s Eve, it's a night when you are ready to celebrate. It’s a time when you are letting go of one cycle, and about to prepare for another. Some signs may prefer to stay in on a night like this and reflect on all this year has taught them and do their new year's rituals. (I’m looking at you homebodies: Cancer, Virgo, and Taurus.) Other signs prepare for this day months in advance, and that includes what they will be wearing.
What To Wear On New Year's Eve Based On Your Zodiac Sign
Fire signs may or may not do New Year’s Eve the best. From the festivities to the fashion, to the excitement for it all; you definitely want to go shopping with a fire sign or plan a night out with one. We also can’t forget that New Year’s Eve happens during Capricorn Season, and this is their time to shine as well and put on their best suit. This year when it comes to fashion, we have seen old trends come back such as long gloves and tall boots, and on a day like NYE, the classic and timeless little black dress is a moment as well. You will find many Sagittarius’ in bright colors, Aries in black, and Libra in gold.
Your zodiac sign is an expression of yourself and who you are, and New Year’s Eve is a night when you are shining in your unique style but with a little flare.
What an Aries Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: A Black Slip Dress
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For an Aries New Year’s Eve Look, something both sleek and powerful is their style. Aries has mastered the art of a simple look with a unique flair, and that’s the vibe we are going for this New Year’s Eve for them. A long black dress with a sequin bust and a thick choker is playful yet powerful, just like Aries. There is something so badass about Aries, and their looks will say that.
What a Taurus Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: Tall Boots
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Wearing a tall boot instantly gives you a new power in life. This aesthetic is top tier, not to mention boots can make any look 10x better. Tall black boots are the perfect statement piece for a New Year’s Eve look for Taurus. If a Taurus does decide to get out of their comfort zone this New Year’s Eve and go out on the town, they are going to go for something that is sexy and comfortable. A dress and some tall boots are easy to put together and trendy.
What a Gemini Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: A Silver Dress
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Metallics and air signs just go together, I don’t make the rules. A Gemini New Year’s Eve outfit is going to be ahead of its time, a little bit funky, and a little bit hard to get. They have connections with the designers or the associates in which they shop frequently, and might also be the designer themself. A Gemini has a creative spirit, and this energy goes into their fashion sense as well. This silver look with bold earrings is fun and engaging, just like Gemini.
What a Cancer Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: A Feather Dress
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Feathers have been making a comeback as of late, and they bring the perfect detail to any dress or look. Cancer closes out the year in something short, flirty, and fun! On most days of the year, Cancer prefers a neutral tone, and never shies away from black. However, on occasions, and especially celebrations, Cancer loves a pop of color and to wear something special. If it’s a really memorable night then they will keep that look forever, and feathers definitely give that wow factor to Cancer’s nostalgic heart.
What a Leo Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: A Faux Fur Coat
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You can always spot a Leo in a room by the confidence and warmth they exude, but also by what they are wearing. They always stand out in some way, and on New Year’s Eve, it is no different. A fur coat is a perfect way to make any outfit pop, and it gives you a feel of luxury as well. With a fur coat, you give your look a glamorous moment and it’s something unique to wear as well. This New Year’s Eve, Leo will be expressing their wild side and will be the show-stopper at any and every event they attend with a fur coat.
What a Virgo Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: A Black Dress
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Virgo is the Queen of less is enough. A Virgo’s New Year’s Eve look is refined, well-thought-out, and practical. A Virgo wants to look good but will also be taking their comfort into account as well. If they plan on going out dancing all night they will most definitely take that into account when choosing the appropriate shoes for the night. A little black number is a perfect choice for Virgo as it screams, “I look good for me, not you.” A Virgo is feeling confident and accomplished during NYE. I mean, let’s be honest, they’ve probably done more in the past 365 days than most- and their look is going to say it all.
What a Libra Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: A Gold Jumpsuit
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Libra exudes beauty. They know all about the divine feminine, and they embody this type of energy. The perfect NYE look for Libra has gold in it, and a jumpsuit gives a nostalgic moment for the occasion. A gold jumpsuit is one-of-a-kind and something that gives you a special quality for the night. Libra loves art and considers fashion an act of art, so their New Year’s Eve look is going to be something that’s timeless first and foremost.
What a Scorpio Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: Gloves
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Gloves have been a trendy statement piece as of late, and the glove look is a perfect choice for this coming New Year’s Eve. Scorpio loves a little mystery, and the gloves give a quality of power, beauty, and protectiveness. This energy aligns with Scorpio, and on New Year’s Eve- it’s a look. Complete the outfit with a dress that matches, heels short enough to dance in, and a sleek back hairstyle, and you have a look for Scorpio for New Year’s Eve.
What a Sagittarius Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: Sequin Dress
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There is no New Year’s Eve without sequins, and is there really Sagittarius without sequins, either? The Best Look Award for any NYE outfit is going to be Sagittarius every time, as this is their night to shine. A Sagittarius wears looks you could wear on NYE every day of the year, as they love to be the most fabulous person in any room. A sequin dress will have a Sag in the spotlight all night and will be the life of the party.
What a Capricorn Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: Blazer
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A blazer is a Capricorn's signature look, and no matter where they are, they always tend to have a sophisticated sense of style. A Capricorn invented business casual, and they know how to make a blazer into a moment. This New Year’s Eve, Capricorn is most likely getting off work right before the festivities begin, so this look is an easy transition for them. A sleek and sexy blazer is just how to end the year, and Capricorns are walking into the new year handling business as usual.
What an Aquarius Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: Leather Dress
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Aquarius has had a tough past few years. Saturn has been in their sign since 2020, and this is the last New Year’s Eve they will be spending with Saturn, a challenging planet, in their sign for a while. So for this New Year’s Eve, Aquarians are going all out. They are ready for a change of pace and are wearing their wounds on their shoulders as 24k gold metal. A leather look defines this type of victory, inner courage, and confidence that is perfect for an NYE outfit, and paired with some gold accessories, is excellence at its finest.
What a Pisces Would Wear for New Year’s Eve: Iridescent Dress
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A colorful mini dress is the perfect vibe for Pisces on New Year’s Eve. Pisces’ fashion is constantly changing, being a mutable sign, and on New Year’s they are looking for something fun, and something that makes them happy when they look at it. Pisces favors all things that inflict emotion, and an iridescent moment on NYE does just that. Paired with silver or black heels, and you are ready for the perfect night out.
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A Goddard College graduate, who earned an MFA from Pratt Institute and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Marymount Manhattan College, Mahogany offers unapologetic realness with a side of grace and empowerment. "I started touring locally. I started creating chat books so that those poems will go in the hands of the people who were sitting in the rooms," she shared.
"And then I started facilitating poetry workshops, so I used my chat books as curriculum. And that, in turn, allowed me to further invest in my art and show the community and people who were hiring me that it wasn't just a one-off, that it's not just, you know, a fly by night—that I am invested in this art as much as I am invested in your community, in your children's learning, in our growth."
Mahogany has a special way of moving audiences, and her superpower sparks shifts in perspective, post-performance introspection, and strengthening of community bonds, especially among Black women. (One can undeniably recognize her gift for arousal of the spirit and mind merely from her listening to her insights from the other side of a Google Hangout call. I can only imagine the soul-stirring, top-tier sensory encounter when watching her perform in person.)
In this chat with xoNecole, Mahogany reflects on sustaining a creative career, the aftermath of writing a banned book, and using poetry for both healing, community-building, and activism.
Anthony Artis
xoNecole: What are three key things that have laid the foundation for a sustainable creative career for you?
Mahogany L Browne: What has helped me is that I'm willing to go in being an expert at knowing poetry and knowing the way in which art can change the landscape of our lives, not just as a poet, but also as a poetry facilitator. How you move through classes, those things are mastered, right? So when I go into another space that's maybe tech-heavy, I don't mind learning and being, you know, a student of the wonder of how we can make this magic, work together.
Two, you’ve got to know how to pivot. Sometimes we say, ‘Alright, this is what my life is going to be. I'm going to be a New York Times best-selling author. I'm going to, you know, have an album that's Grammy-nominated. And then, say you get dropped from your record label. That doesn't mean you can't make an album anymore. You can also still create an album that can be submitted to the Grammys. So, what does a pivot look like as an artist who doesn't have an institution behind them? Pivot being a student of the wonder.
Relationships also really help. How do I serve the community? And in turn, that tells me how the community can show up. For me, I have long-standing ties with a community that will outlast my one life. So, what does it mean to create space where these relationships can develop, can be nurtured, can be rooted, can be cultivated? Creating space—it happens through relationships.
xoN: With today’s economic challenges, what does your current creative process look like, and what are you working on?
MB: I’m always thinking five years ahead. I just reviewed the pages for two children’s books and recently released a YA novel. I’m drafting an adult fiction manuscript now.
Anything I create is founded with the root of poetry, but it can exist in captions. It can exist in commercials. It can exist as a musical. So that's where I’m at now.
xoN: You started performing "Black Girl Magic" in 2013, had an acclaimed performance of it via PBS and the work went on to viral success shortly after. Talk more about the inspiration. And what do you think about the continued relevance more than a decade later?
MB: I wrote it as a rally cry for the mothers who had been keeping themselves truly in harm's way by, you know, being a part of the community right after the death of their child or their loved one. They are usually mothers of victims of police brutality—and just seeing how they showed up in these community spaces, they are devout to the cause but obviously still grieving.
"I wanted this poem to be just a space of reclamation, of joy and of you, of your light, of your shine, of your brilliance, in any which way in which you fashion. Every room you enter is the room you deserve to be in. What does it mean to have a poem like that that exists?"
And the first time I did the poem, the Weeping that occurred, right? It was like this blood-letting of sorts. The next time I performed it, I'm moved to tears because I'm seeing how it's affecting other women who have just been waiting to hear, ‘You belong. You deserve. You are good. We see you. Thank you, despite everything that they said to make you regret being born in this beautiful brown, dark-skinned, light-skinned, but Black body.’
Black women are the backbone—period. Point blank. And so, that that poem became a necessity, not just to the fortitude of Black women in the community, but like you know, in service of healing the Black women.
xoN: One of your books was banned at a school in Boston, and it was later reinstated due to parental and activist support. What was that experience like?
MB: Well, I think it happened because they were racist. That's it. Point blank. The reversal of it was empowering, right? I realized, oh, I thought we just had to sit here and be on a banned book list. But no, parents are actually the leaders of this charge.
So to see that, the parents said, ‘Nah, we're not gonna let you take this book out of my baby’s school just because it's a Black kid on the front saying, ‘Woke’ and they're talking about being a global citizen. They're talking about accountability. They're talking about accessibility. They're talking about allyship, and you don't want them to have compassion or empathy or have even an understanding, right? So no, we rebuke that, and we want this book here anyway.’ To see that happen in that way. I was, like, reaffirmed. Absolutely.
xoN: You recently organized the Black Girl Magic Ball at the Lincoln Center in New York. Honorees included author and entrepreneur Rachel Cargle and National Black Theater CEO Sade Lythcott. What impact did it have and what expanded legacy do you hope to leave with your creative works?
MB: I was really interested in not celebrating just the book, but celebrating the community that made the book possible. And so I gave out five awards to women doing that thing, like, what does it mean to be a Black girl in this world?
I just thought it was gonna be an amazing time. Everybody's gonna dress up—we're gonna celebrate each other. And boom, I then realized that it responded to like a gaping hole. There was a missing thing for Black girls of all walks of life, all ages, right?
"It's very intergenerational. That was intentional to come together and celebrate just being us."
You have all these instances where just being you is either the butt of a joke or it's diminished and not worthy of a specific title in these larger institutions. So what does it mean to just to be loved up on and celebrated?
It felt like a self-care project at first. You know, for the first couple of years, folks were coming and they were getting that sisterhood. They were getting that tribe work that they were missing in their everyday lives.
I love the Black Girl Magic Ball because we got us. If I go out with a bang, they'll remember that Mahogany worked her a** off to make sure all the Black girls everywhere knew that she was the light. We are the blueprint.
For more information on Mahogany L. Browne, her work, and her future projects, visit her website or follow her on IG @mobrowne.
Featured image by Anthony Artis
Anyway, all of the talk about vampires — you know, due to the film — did cause me to wonder something that might seem rather random, yet that’s oftentimes how my mind works: Do vampires give each other hickeys? As I Googled for an answer, besides a book that has a title close to that name, I did notice an ABC feature from when the vampire Twilight film series was all the rage several years back. It was inquiring if teens were suddenly biting each other (back then) because of the movie(s).
The sexologist who was interviewed came to the conclusion that since biting is “an extension of the hickey” and hickeys are (typically) considered to be passionate, that’s why teens were interested in doing it. As far as what vampires do with each other? I couldn’t find a definitive answer.
I dunno. With hickeys also being called “love bites” and “suck marks” and with folks oftentimes describing vampire-themed movies as sexy, I would think that they could. Either way, what we know for sure is that those of us in the real world do it — and so, in honor/acknowledgement of that, I figured that now would be a perfect time to share some facts about hickeys. Ready?
1. Humans Are Copying Animals When They Give Hickeys
Aight, so what exactly is the origin story of hickeys? It would seem that it came from the literature of authors who wrote about what animals like lions and wolves do whenever they are showing affection towards one another. Apparently, humans saw this and eventually began to follow suit.
Hey, that doesn’t sound so crazy to me, considering doggy style continues to be a fan favorite among our species, and…have you ever seen two cats have sex before? I have, more than once, and the male cat is typically biting on the female one, in her neck region, during the act. So, when I really stop to think about all of this, it definitely tracks.
2. Hickeys Are Oftentimes a Low-Key Power Play
Ah, perfect. If you click here, you will actually see a picture of two cats having sex, and — like I just said, the male cat is biting the female cat. One reason why is because male cat penises have barbs on them which can make the entry or exit of intercourse literally painful for the female. And so, the male cat holds her in place by biting her, so that she doesn’t run away. And yes, along these same lines, some believe that hickeys can serve as their own power dynamic shift, even among humans — especially based on where a person decides to put one. I guess it would be like “peeing on your territory” in a way — hmph, which is something else that animals tend to do.
anon GIF - Find & Share on GIPHYGiphy3. Hickeys Are Nothing More than a Bruise
Okay, so what actually causes a hickey to happen? Well, when someone sucks and gently bites on your skin, it can break some of the surface blood vessels that are underneath your skin to break. When that happens, it results in a bruise. If someone does this to you for about a half a minute, you should notice a hickey emerge in a matter of minutes and, depending on how “good” of a job they did, a hickey can stick around for as much as a couple of weeks.
4. “Temperature Play” Speeds Up the Healing Process of Hickeys
Again, depending on how “good” of a job someone did at giving you a hickey, it could last between two days and two weeks. If you want yours to fade faster, because, again, hickeys are a bruise, it’s a good idea to bring some temperature play into action. What I mean by that is, start off by putting an ice pack on your hickey for up to 10 minutes, twice a day, for the first two days.
Then, after 48 hours, apply a warm compress for 10 minutes a few times a day. You might also want to apply a bit of peppermint oil to your hickey and gently massage that area as well; that will help to bring more blood flow to the spot, so that your skin can heal faster.
5. If You Take Blood Thinners, Hickeys Will Last Longer
If you’re someone who takes blood thinners, that will keep hickeys aren’t for a longer period of time. That’s because blood thinners are specifically designed to slow down the blood clotting process that’s in your body. So, if you’re big on hickeys and you even take aspirin on a fairly regular basis, you’re gonna have to accept that the “hickey healing hacks” may not actually work for you (at least not as quickly or effectively).
6. Certain “Natural Things” Can Make Them Last Longer Too
Speaking of blood thinners, even if you aren’t on any meds, did you know that certain foods provide blood-thinning effects as well? Some of those include ginger, garlic, aloe, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, and even supplements including vitamin E and melatonin. Just something to keep in mind. (By the way, vitamin C and the bromelain in pineapples can help to heal hickeys as far as supplements and foods go).
7. No, Hickeys Will Not Give You Cancer
It actually wasn’t until I was doing research for this article that I even heard the myth that hickeys can give you cancer. What in the world? Yeah, if you heard that somewhere before, pay that tale no mind, because science absolutely says otherwise. For the most part, hickeys are relatively harmless.
8. They Can Give You an Infection, Though
And why did I just say, “for the most part”? Yeah, you caught that, huh? Well, there is an extreme instance where a woman had a stroke due to a hickey because it happened on top of a major artery — that’s hella rare, though. What is more common is oral herpes transmitted through hickeys.
Not to mention the fact that a hickey is usually a bruise more than a wound; however, if your skin does end up being broken or you’re giving a hickey and blood is somehow transmitted…well, I’m sure you could see how this could be potentially problematic. Bottom line, get — and stay getting — tested. Just to be on the safe side. Hickeys or not.
9. A Dream About Getting a Hickey Is Actually a Warning
Remember how I said earlier that sometimes the person who is giving the hickey is doing so as an act of power? Well, along those same lines, if you happen to dream that someone is giving you a love bite, keep in mind that it probably isn’t about anything sexual; usually, it means that you are either in a toxic or stressful situation and you’re trying to figure out if you should approach it with logic or emotion. The more you know.
10. Sometimes Pain Creates Pleasure
Someone who enjoys being tortured or humiliated during sex, they fall into a category that is known as sexual masochism — and no, that is not what I am referring to here. What I am speaking about is the fact that, because pain and pleasure sensations are housed in the same part of the brain, when mild pain is felt, that could be why it arouses you — and that could be why you may enjoy receiving hickeys (I mean, if you actually do). They both have been proven to create a dopamine and opioid surge, which can intensify your sexual responses and reactions.
____
Hickeys do tend to create a very polarizing response: folks either adore them or loathe them. Either way, now you know what they’re all about, so if you’re on the “A” team, share it with those who are also in your club.
It could make them appreciate hickeys — love bites, suck marks — that much more, chile.
Dig in. #wink
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