What to Wear When You’re Going Out (But Not OUT OUT)

I’ve had many calls recently for a post on what to wear to different evening events. These have ranged from a Fontaines D.C. gig to a theatre trip to watch a play starring Richard E. Grant, plus a few more in between. So this post is for you if you’re going out, but not out out. By this, I mean an event that doesn’t call for anything overtly dressy. Not a wedding, or a black-tie event, or a big fancy party – just one of those occasions when you’d like to make a little more effort than normal.

Even though I love casualwear more than most, it’s nice to make an effort once in a while, so I’ve put together some ideas. I’ve even added some heels. I can’t wear heels all day, but I’ve been known to wear them of an evening when not much walking is required.

JUST JEANS AND A NICE BLOUSE

This is still my number-one go-to for an evening out. I’ve replaced the ‘nice top’ with ‘a nice blouse’ because these days I favour a simple silk shirt or blouse with my jeans. Does that make me middle-aged? Probably, but it happens to us all.

I have a few good silk shirts in my collection now, with some dating back to 2010 and some I bought in the last couple of years. Wear them as unbuttoned as you dare and with a couple of great necklaces. Don’t be afraid to show a touch of bra too – just make sure it’s one of your nice lace ones and not your greyish ugly sports bra that you wear most days (or is that just me?).

THE ALL DAY & NIGHT DRESS

I was sorting out my wardrobe last Sunday, putting away the summer dresses and unpacking my autumn and winter clothes. I realised that I don’t have a single dress that isn’t of the summer variety. I have lots of skirts but no dresses. I used to love a good dress, so I’m on the hunt for something I can wear from day to night. Dressy, but not too dressy. Ideally, a bit floaty and with long sleeves. Something that only requires the addition of a long coat and a good pair of boots and some earrings. I think these two fit the bill.

THE EMBELLISHED JEANS

We walk a fine line here between chic and playful and a Dolly Parton tribute act. If you’re going for something embellished either on top or on your bottom half, I would advise keeping the other part of your outfit more low-key to balance out the bling. Think of the ‘sandwich dressing method’: if you’ve got sparkles on your bottom half, you can put a simple T‑shirt in between and still add a glitzy necklace and/or earrings up top.

FOR THE LOVE OF A LAYER

This is a look I would choose for a gig when you don’t want to be putting anything in the cloakroom. You’ve got your nice cami top for when the venue inevitably gets so hot that you need to strip off, but you’re dressing it down with cargos. You can layer the cami under a long-sleeved tee (which you can then tie around your waist) and a lighter-weight leather jacket that’s not going to get too messed up if you get a pint spilt on it. Of course, you can go for trainers with this, which (let’s be honest) are more practical for a gig, but the ballet flats look cuter.

THE STATEMENT SKIRT

I just wanted to include this skirt as I think it’s really cool but also nice and ladylike. This is something that you could wear to the office all day with flats and then add heels to go out for dinner or drinks. The skirt is doing all the heavy lifting in this look. If you’ve got a statement piece, there’s no need to overthink the rest of your outfit.

THE SEMI-SUIT

Not officially made to match, but that doesn’t matter. Trousers and a blazer in the same tone will always make you feel dressed up. Aligne have been making a blazer in this style for a few years now. It’s since been copied by a few other high street brands, but stick with the original as the structure works so well for most body shapes. It actually gives you definition where before you might have lacked it. It’s kind of made not to be taken off indoors, but I would add a nice cami top because, at my time of life, I will always need to strip off at some point in the evening.

LEOPARD & LACE

Because ‘if in doubt, get the leopard out’. And the lace. But, you know, mainly the leopard. Where some people turn to sequins (don’t get me started on sequins. They aren’t for me. I feel too Sue Pollard when I try to wear them), I turn to this. You don’t have to go the whole hog – just one item (a coat or shoes or a bag) will perk up any going-out outfit.

I can’t actually say if these suggestions will help you, but do let me know if they have!

K x

WearsMyMoney

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