Charlotte, N.C. ? You rocked the office bash, mixed and mingled at the neighborhood progressive dinner, and donned your fave apron for a pal’s cookie-baking session.

Next on the party schedule: New Year’s Eve.

And you have run out of things to wear. You exhausted your wardrobe just last night when your book club met for Yule-tinis.

You’ve got a few days and possibly a few gift cards to plan your New Year’s outfit.

Whether you’re staying home that night, dining at a fancy restaurant, dancing at a club with a velvet rope or nibbling on caviar at a black tie event, our style experts have advice on what to wear.

The club scene

Show some leg. Choose shorter lengths: a satin empire waist dress, a baby doll dress, mini skirt or a long tunic top, recommend celeb stylist June Ambrose and Effie Loukas, co-owner of Lotus/Civilian boutiques.

But you can cover them. Loukas likes to pair shorter dresses with fish nets or textured tights or over skinny pants.

Satin stands out under the lights at a dance club, Ambrose says. “It’s shiny, sexy and fun.”

Hues such as turquoise and orange will get you noticed in dim lighting, Ambrose says.

Wearing black? Add color with accessories, says Loukas. Red remains a fiery option.

Go for the gold, too, says Ambrose. It works well in a club. “You can do a lace overlay that can be really attractive and flattering with a little sparkle underneath.”

Black tie or formal

A black tie invite gives you a reason to “be regal and over the top and as festive as possible,” says stylist/author June Ambrose. “We don’t get too many opportunities to get dressed up in that way, so take New Year’s and (black tie events) and use them as an excuse and dress like you’re going to the Oscars.”

Strapless and one-shouldered styles (Greek goddess) are most popular, say Ambrose.

Work with a great seamstress or tailor, especially when wearing strapless. It’s not a good look to tug at your dress all night, says Laura Vinroot Poole, owner of Capitol and Poole Shop boutiques at Phillips Place and a black tie bash veteran.

Another option, Vinroot Poole says, is to wear crocheted tights with a cocktail dress and strappy sandals. Very chic and warm, says Vinroot Poole.

No leggings. No, really. “I don’t care how trendy they are. No leggings for black tie, and I mean it,” she says.

Party or restaurant

Galas and clubs aren’t your thing, but you’re still going out and want to greet 2007 in style? Glam is still good but hemlines should be a bit longer.

A solid-color silky or satin cocktail dress is a great option, says stylist/author June Ambrose. Those cut on the bias are popular. “It’s a classic style.” Prints are not as popular this season.

Consider investing in a little charcoal gray dress if black is too harsh for your skin tone (and just to stand out from the black-clad pack), Ambrose suggests. It’s as good as black to work with contrasting accessories and may fade less than the darker hue.

Not into sequins or beads? Go soft. “A velvet ribbon as a belt or in the hair can take a dress that’s not so festive and make it festive,” says Ambrose.

A cocktail dress in a solid color lends itself to more decorative shoes. Put on a jeweled pump or slingback, she says. Patent leather (or patent vinyl) is also still trendy.