Dressed to Thrill : Ring In the New Year With Festive Frocks That Go for $100 or Less

New Year’s Eve outfits for about $100 are easier to find than most women might expect. Post-holiday markdowns help, so does some creative thinking about how to spruce up what you already own.

At ClothesTime, a bargain-hunter’s paradise, there are velvet cocktail dresses for less than $40 and sweaters trimmed in gold ribbon for less than $30.

Other stores, including Whip Cream in the Beverly Center, have marked down some holiday items as much as 50%. “Our customers are more cost-conscious this year, and looking for sales,” says Chris Coyle, manager of Whip Cream. Even at full price, party fare at the store, which specializes in junior fashions, ranges from $70 to $98.

For women whose budgets best fit a new accessory, not an outfit, shoe ornaments have become a favorite wardrobe reviver. Nordstrom stores and Le Petite Jean, a Beverly Hills shoe store, stock elegant clip-on shoe ornaments, encrusted with faux pearls, rhinestones, bows and other trims, priced from $7.95 to $50.

Scarfs in festive fabrics can dress up a plain sweater, tunic or evening jacket. At Robinson’s, a solid sequined scarf by Oscar de la Renta sells for $60.

Deborah Harmon, a Sherman Oaks actress, takes an imaginative approach to accessories. She bought a large scarf in black crepe with gold soutache trim to wear as a sarong on New Year’s Eve.

CBS senior publicist Lori Huhn combats outfit fatigue by mixing old and new. For this New Year’s Eve, the Manhattan Beach resident and infrequent party-goer decided to pair a new, black lace skirt with a chiffon-sleeved black jacket already in her closet. She added a new hat to complete the ensemble. Total investment: $80.

Another money-saving tip: Shop resale stores. April, a new Long Beach consignment store, recently sold a gently worn, red wool jersey dress by Donna Karan for $100, a fraction of the original cost.

For the most temporary yet trendy looks of all, rental stores such as Dressed to Kill in West Hollywood will loan big-name designer chic for about $150. The fee buys an evening with a Bob Mackie black velvet short cocktail dress with gold lame trim, or a black strapless Gianni Versace cocktail number. Given the holiday crunch, the by-appointment-only store suggests a week’s notice.