No matter how you normally dress, New Year’s Eve is the holiday for dressing up. What will you be wearing for your sparkling evening on the town? If you haven’t already picked out your floor-length stunner, you’ve got time. At this late date, designers and retailers know what has been selling well for holiday dressing. You can use that knowledge to go with the trends, find inspiration, or set out on your own.

Couture designer Zang Toi has found that his long dresses with embellishments like embroidery and ruffles are his best sellers. Those are second only to long skirts topped by blouses in rich colors like magenta or khaki with pouf sleeves. In his spring 2006 show, Mr. Toi presented a black satin gown with purple orchids that sparked quick demand. “They were for spring, but the ladies loved them so much we rushed them to production,” Mr. Toi said.

From the fall Oscar de la Renta collection, sparkling cocktail dresses and gowns have been key items, as well as embroidered sweaters to keep cold shoulders warm. But at this time of year, Oscar gals also are snapping up colorful dresses from the resort collection to take to tropical climates.

Color has been a necessity at Diane von Furstenberg. While full-length dresses have been popular, the best sellers have been silky camisoles. One of the most in-demand colors this season has been a dark green that goes well with gold or silver accessories.

A camisole or pretty top worn with jeans is a sort of urban uniform now, but on New Year’s the look does serve a purpose: It’s a safe bet for those who hop between house parties and lounges. Designer Julie Chaiken, of the label Chaiken, has seen sustained interest in her gold silk charmeuse halter tops and jackets of metallic lace.

Indeed, metallics aren’t going away anytime soon. “There’s more glitz and glamour. People are really going for the evening look,” a coowner of the boutique Addict, Ashley Thompson, said.

Designers such as Alessandro Dell’Acqua and Jill Stuart have been top sellers during the holiday season at Addict. In addition, Los Angeles designer Pegah Anvarian has been a hit. “She makes these dresses that are flowing cotton with low v-necks. It’s a shimmery fabric. Those have flown out the door,” Ms. Thompson said.

In the battle between black and color, Ms. Thompson says the brighter hues win. “Basic black is not doing a lot. People say, ‘Oh, I have that,'” she said. “People are trying to take that step and have an outstanding dress.”

Designer Kimberley Newport Mimran – whose line Pink Tartan is sold at Searle and Saks Fifth Avenue – votes for color, too. She reports that her pieces with gold, shine, and shimmer have been selling strongly. A silk wrap shirt of white silk dupioni has been especially successful.

As for accessories, handbags are a necessity, but they’re also a more personal expression of style. According to Brenda Kauffman, the fashion director of the Web site Bag Borrow or Steal, the size of a bag should be determined by what you need: “You can carry a large, metallic satchel and that can be as fashionable as a small, jeweled clutch.”

From her Web site, www.bagborroworsteal.com, members can borrow the hottest handbags, then return the items when they don’t need them anymore. This season the most popular “rentals” in the evening category have been Judith Leiber clutches and a Michael Kors metallic leather bag in bronze.

Jewelry and handbag designer Stacey Lapidus – whose pieces are sold at Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman – says her clients have been snapping up necklaces to wear with sexy tops and jeans, as well as using color or crystals to spice things up. Her suggestion: a crystal bangle worn on the arm with a strapless dress or top.

Clothing and accessories are not the only ways to shine. When primping before heading out, remember that you may be out and about for a long time. As makeup artist Tim Quinn of Giorgio Armani Cosmetics points out: “Most women get dressed at 6 p.m. and stay out until 2 a.m.”

He recommends Armani’s Pearl Veil to set a solid base. “It gives the skin an iridescence, which is good on a night when you’re taking lots of photographs,” he said.

Makeup guru Bobbi Brown has her own suggestions for keeping your “face” on. “Wear enough concealer, foundation, and bronzer to keep makeup looking fresh all night,” she said. She also recommends that women leave the house with a product that can perform double duty: Her Pot Rouge can be used on both lips and cheeks.

But no matter what you decide to don when heading out for an evening on the town, take a tip from Ms. Lapidus: “New Year’s in New York is about being comfortable and warm – you’re never going to get your taxi.”