As 2021 comes to an end, I’m anxiously anticipating all that the new year has to offer. While still facing the realities of an ongoing pandemic, it's easy to feel unmotivated to celebrate the arrival of 2022. Growing accustomed to spending more time indoors, many of us are excited to put on winter party wear even if from the comfort of our own home.
If there’s one night of the year, December 31 is the perfect excuse to dress up and get your glam on, simply because you deserve it. However, regardless of how you're in the mood to celebrate you don't have to search far for the perfect outfit, go for what you already own. Whether catching flights for the countdown or celebrating from your couch, here are three NYE-inspired looks that will make your night that much better.
1. LBD
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Nothing says NYE more than a little black dress. Sensational to say the least, while thrifting this sleek bodycon corset dress a few months ago, I knew I had a gem in my hands. Waiting for the perfect occasion, there’d be no better time than bringing in the new year. What I love most about an LBD, we all own at least one so there's no need to shop for anything new. Pair with a classic black heel and chandelier earrings to end this year with a bang.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
2. Lounge-Appropriate
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Celebrating the new year indoors doesn't sound like a bad idea. For a festive loungewear moment, add a glitter or sequin top to windbreaker pants for a sportier approach. Balancing comfort and style, add more sparkle and shine with bold accessories and a cute mule to complete this at-home look.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
3. Leather on Leather
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Bringing in 2022 like an ultimate bad girl with good intentions, I decided to try this leather-on-leather outfit for the celebration. Pairing a laced leather corset and matching blazer with denim jeans keeps this semi-casual yet cool. Opt for a leather boot or heel to complete this NYE-inspired outfit.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Featured image by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
