Jan 1 brunch is a very different event from New Year Eve night. Nobody wants tight sequins at 11 in the morning. Nobody wants to stand in the cold in heels. You want something soft, warm and a little bit polished, with enough room to enjoy a long, slow meal.
That is the whole point of this guide. These are daytime outfits for the morning after the party. They are comfortable enough for a slow start, warm enough for a cold walk to the restaurant and pretty enough for photos with the people you love.
The best part is that many of these looks rewear pieces you already wore on New Year Eve. That sequin top, that velvet dress, that sparkly skirt, they all get a second life at brunch with softer layers and flatter shoes. Here are 12 plus size New Year brunch outfits that make Jan 1 feel easy. Our plus size New Year Eve outfit ideas guide covers the night before, so this guide can focus on the morning after.
1. Sequin Top Reworn with Dark Jeans and Loafers
Your New Year Eve sequin top deserves a second outing. At brunch it looks festive without feeling like a costume, because the rest of the outfit is soft and daytime.
Pair it with dark straight leg jeans. Denim brings the sparkle straight back down to earth. Loafers keep your feet happy after a long night. Add a simple cardigan over your shoulders in case the restaurant is chilly, and keep your jewelry simple so the top stays the star.
Style note: a sequin top you already own is the easiest way to look festive on Jan 1 without buying anything new.
2. Velvet Wrap Dress with Ballet Flats and Soft Cardigan
A velvet wrap dress is a perfect brunch piece because it is soft, stretchy and forgiving after a big night. The wrap shape defines your waist without any tight waistband.
Wear it with ballet flats instead of heels. Your feet will thank you. A soft cardigan in cream or blush adds warmth and keeps the velvet from feeling too evening. Choose a wrap dress in burgundy, emerald or chocolate for a rich daytime look.
Style note: velvet reads just as beautifully in daylight as it does at night, especially in a soft, deep color.
3. Cashmere Feel Sweater with Satin Midi Skirt and Ankle Boots
A cashmere feel sweater with a satin midi skirt is the ideal Jan 1 combination. It is soft, warm and just dressy enough for a restaurant table.
Tuck the sweater loosely into the skirt so your waist still shows. The satin adds a little shine, and the sweater keeps the look relaxed. Ankle boots with a low heel give you height without pain. This is the outfit for a brunch that turns into a long walk and a coffee afterwards.
Style note: if your skirt feels too evening, the sweater is what makes it daytime. The softer the knit, the more relaxed the whole outfit feels.
4. Knit Midi Dress with Long Coat and Sneakers
A knit midi dress is the most comfortable brunch outfit you can wear. It stretches, it moves and it needs almost no styling at all.
Add a long coat for warmth on the walk to brunch. The long line makes the dress look intentional. White sneakers keep the outfit relaxed and modern. Add a crossbody bag and a pair of sunglasses and you are ready for a slow morning out.
Style note: a knit dress is the Jan 1 answer when you want to look put together with almost no effort.
5. Plaid Blazer with White Tee and Wide Leg Jeans
A plaid blazer adds instant polish to the simplest brunch outfit. It is structured enough for photos and relaxed enough for a long meal.
Wear it with a plain white tee and wide leg jeans. The tee keeps the outfit casual, the jeans keep it comfortable and the blazer does all the styling work. Roll the sleeves once for a relaxed finish. Add loafers or sneakers depending on how far you are walking.
Style note: a blazer you wore over a dress on New Year Eve works just as well over jeans on Jan 1. If you love daytime outfits, our fall brunch outfit guide is a good starting point for the season.
6. Satin Cami with Chunky Cardigan and Straight Leg Pants
A satin cami from New Year Eve gets a whole new life at brunch under a chunky cardigan. The satin peeks out at the neckline and the hem, and the cardigan keeps you warm and comfortable.
Pair it with straight leg pants in black or navy. The clean line of the pants balances the soft cardigan. Add ankle boots and a simple necklace. This is a cozy outfit that still feels a little bit special.
Style note: layering a dressy cami under a cozy cardigan is the fastest way to rewear a night out piece in daylight.
7. Faux Leather Skirt with Oversized Sweater and Chelsea Boots
A faux leather skirt adds a little edge to a soft Jan 1 outfit. It is also surprisingly comfortable when it has stretch and a smooth waistband.
An oversized sweater in cream, oatmeal or soft gray keeps the top half relaxed. Half tuck the front so your shape still shows. Chelsea boots are easy to pull on and they look polished with a skirt. Add a long scarf for warmth.
Style note: keep the sweater soft and the skirt smooth. The contrast between the two textures is what makes this outfit interesting.
8. Turtleneck Dress with Tall Boots and Crossbody Bag
A turtleneck dress is a one piece brunch outfit. It needs almost no styling, it keeps you warm and it looks polished on its own.
Tall boots add a sleek finish and keep your legs warm on a cold Jan 1 walk. A crossbody bag keeps your hands free for coffee and a menu. Add simple earrings and you are done. Choose a dress in black, burgundy or forest green for a rich winter look.
Style note: a turtleneck dress you wore with heels on New Year Eve looks completely different with tall boots and no jewelry at brunch.
9. Pleated Midi Skirt with Fitted Sweater and Loafers
A pleated midi skirt moves beautifully and feels festive without any sparkle. It is a lovely choice for a daytime celebration.
A fitted sweater in a matching tone keeps the outfit streamlined. The fitted top shows your shape and the skirt adds movement. Loafers keep the look comfortable and daytime. Add a delicate necklace and a soft coat for the walk.
Style note: pleats photograph beautifully in daylight, so this is a great choice if your brunch includes photos.
10. Wide Leg Trousers with Silk Feel Blouse and Low Heels
Wide leg trousers with a silk feel blouse are polished enough for a restaurant and comfortable enough for a long, slow meal. This is the outfit for a Jan 1 brunch that feels a little bit special.
Choose trousers in black or navy with a smooth waistband. The silk feel blouse in ivory or blush adds a soft shine. Low heels give you height without hurting your feet. Keep your bag small and your jewelry simple.
Style note: if you wore these trousers with a sequin top on New Year Eve, the blouse makes them a completely different outfit on Jan 1. For the party itself, see our plus size holiday party outfits that sparkle.
11. Denim Midi Dress with Cozy Scarf and Ankle Boots
A denim midi dress is a relaxed brunch choice that still looks intentional. It is sturdy, comfortable and easy to layer.
Add a cozy scarf in a warm plaid or solid cream. The scarf adds color near your face and keeps you warm. Ankle boots finish the look and handle cold sidewalks. This is the outfit for a casual brunch with family or close friends.
Style note: denim is the most forgiving brunch fabric after a late night. It holds its shape and it pairs with everything.
12. Soft Knit Two Piece Set with White Sneakers and Wool Coat
A soft knit two piece set is the ultimate recovery outfit. It feels like loungewear and looks like an outfit, which is exactly what Jan 1 calls for.
Choose a set in a rich neutral like mocha, charcoal or olive. White sneakers keep it fresh. A wool coat over the top makes it restaurant ready in seconds. Add sunglasses and a tote and you are ready for a slow morning.
Style note: a knit set is also the easiest outfit to pack if your brunch is part of a New Year trip away from home.
More New Year Brunch Ideas on Pinterest
Save your favorite look from this guide and follow Serenecurve on Pinterest for more plus size New Year brunch outfits, winter brunch ideas and holiday outfit inspiration. You will find fresh ideas for every celebration, every morning after and every new beginning. For more daytime inspiration, see winter brunch outfits from Who What Wear and New Year Day brunch ideas from Town and Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to a New Year brunch on Jan 1?
Wear something soft, warm and daytime. A knit dress, a sweater with a satin skirt or wide leg trousers with a soft blouse all work. Save the full sequins and heels for New Year Eve night.
Can I rewear my New Year Eve outfit to brunch?
Yes, and you should. Rewear one statement piece, like a sequin top, a velvet dress or a satin cami, and pair it with softer daytime pieces like jeans, a cardigan or sneakers. The outfit will look completely different.
How do I look polished at brunch without heels?
Choose loafers, ankle boots, tall boots or clean white sneakers. A polished shoe with a low heel or a flat sole looks intentional when the rest of the outfit is neat and well fitted.
What layers work best for a cold Jan 1 brunch?
A long coat, a soft cardigan or a wool coat over a knit dress or a sweater outfit works best. Layers you can remove inside the restaurant are ideal, because brunch rooms are often warm.
