the art of the going out fit
we’ve all seen the videos by now, the jokes about every girl on a friday night prowl wearing the same thing. and it’s always a black top and jeans right? to this i kindly invite you to shove it. black top and jeans is actually the scientifically perfect outfit for going out. it fits any situation, can survive most spills, and looks good…almost always. while this is a perfectly fine outfit to get away with your freshman year of college, maybe even sophomore year, finding the perfect going out pieces and outfit formula is a journey you’re never too young to start. while the black top and jeans is a great place to start, there comes a time in every girl’s life when you might want to a) up the maturity level b) look more fashionable/unique c) change your look to reflect an evolving personal style or d) all of the above.
there is a sort of science to creating the going out fit. it’s nicer than the daily pick, but it’s not what you would call a dressy affair. not every outfit can be pinterest perfect, but with this guide you can begin your journey into going out-hood in style.
PART 1: THE PIECES
the first step to building the perfect outfit is having all the right pieces. this list is designed to help create a sleek, fashionable base so you can mix-and-match and build off of it. the more you find what silhouettes and styles you like the easier the styling will become when you have a good foundation to start with. gathered from my research and personal experience, these are the pieces most likely to be as useful as they are stylish and fit seamlessly into anyone’s ‘going out’ wardrobe. while this is a list of items from fast fashion websites, i encourage readers to treat this as a guide for inspiration rather than a shopping list. but of course, nobody’s perfect. do whatever you want.
leather pants
not just for rockstars anymore
edikted faux leather flare jeans
reformation low rise leather pant
alice + olivia vegan leather pant
wide leg jeans
when you need room to dance
skinny/bootcut jeans
it’s time to retire the ripped jeans. bootcut is so sexy!
nili lotan mid-rise straight leg - therealreal
goldsign mid-rise -therealreal
paige low rise bootcut - postmark
white cotton tee
the swiss army knife of fashion
old navy snug crop (not cropped the legit perfect length)
camisole
keep it sweet
free people sequin lace crochet crop tank top
sequin cropped tank
https://poshmark.com/listing/Hazel-embroidered-lace-top-L-624a43b4b51256622739cf01
https://poshmark.com/listing/BCBG-Mady-Lace-Camisole-Top-64a023ed5d686ba552615367
PART 2: FIND YOUR LOOK
let’s start with the basics. the go-to formulas. the creme de la creme of all going out outfits: jeans and a black top.
if we’re working with the black top and jeans base, there are plenty of ways to level up this look. find a sleek, sexy black top. maybe something off the shoulder or with a little cut out. something that says underground jazz club rather than shein casual.
that brings us to the going out top. personally, i am sooooo over crop tops.
there’s nothing wrong with showing a little midriff once in a while, but i’ve found a full length top and low rise pant to give the most flattering silhouette on my body type, as it gives the illusion of length on my short frame and accentuates my waist. i love breaking fashion rules as much as the next girl, but sometimes it helps me narrow down my options when i’m looking through my closet asking myself what will be the most flattering. you’re only sexy and young once!
and let me start next with some tough love: put the ripped jeans away and get rid of the shein top. sorry, but someone had to say it. in terms of improving the jeans, no rips a start, but lately i’ve been loving a skinny bootcut or a low rise wide or straight leg. skinny and wide cuts are complete opposites, i know, but i’ve found that both bootcut and low rise are more complimentary to my figure as a short girl with a short torso because both the rise and the cut of the jeans elongate me while accentuating my curves. these are also my favorite for going out because they are such versatile pieces to work with.
in my mind you can get away with wearing a lacy, or see through, generally skimpy little top if you pair it with a full length pant. big pants little top. balance is restored in the club.
and that brings us to leather pants. oh edikted leather pants, i tried to fight you for so long but dammit if you aren’t smokin’ hot. the possibilities for these pants are truly endless. i’ve managed to dress them up and down depending on what the situation demands as shown here. mixing your leather pants (which you should definitely buy from poshmark, curtsy, or ebay because the world already has enough to go around) with a non traditional party top, such as a t-shirt will make the pants and your whole ensemble look less tacky and more refined.
note: refined does not mean boring or not hot. put together is hot.
fashion is art, but clothes can be magic. i’m a big fan of wearing whatever you want whether or not how “flattering” it is, but some things are just better when you make it sexy. full length tops are far more flattering because they make your torso look longer, and you might find that they accentuate your figure better. standing at 5’2” i need a little extra length in my life. a fitted top that stops just below your hips will be far more flattering than any top that cuts off your torso like a crop top.
the best place to start looking for your going out pieces is the thrift store, or an online thrift such as postmark, ebay, or therealreal. the best way to guarantee a statement piece that no one else will have is to shy away from the well-visited stores. even something as basic as a white tee can be spiced up by making it unique. you can’t always have a runway worthy bar look, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fashionable.
to be basic is to be free
wearing - edikted leather flare pants, old navy snug crop tee, ba&sh suede bag, vintage jean jacket
PART 3: EXPERIMENT WITH IT
exposed bra
wi’m a big fan of letting people know what color bra i’m wearing. you can sex up any basic outfit with some exposed bra, whether that be a strap or the whole thing.
Sheer top + big jeans
white tee + black or colorful bra
off the shoulder/slouched shoulder top
mix casual and dressy
that piece you’ve been saving for a nice occasion? pair it with some jeans or a tee shirt. boring outfit? grab a pair of wedges or platforms (the most comfortable heels). and voila, you just went from basic to bradshaw.
white tee + leather pants
lingerie top/camisole + big jeans
sparkly party top + basic jeans
jeans + heels
dress + jean jacket
tee + tailored pant
mix textures
get crazy with it. because who really cares.
sequins + leather pants
silk + denim
lace + leather
sequins +
accessorize
any plain outfit can be saved with the right statement bag, shoes, or jewelry
i’ve become somewhat of a party girl since 21, as i feel i was always meant to be. the prophecy has been fulfilled. i find myself staring at my closet in agony, trying to come up with unique, striking outfits that have never been conceived before for….what, my scummy local college bar? as i’ve stopped putting so much pressure on myself to be something grand in order to remain relevant (translating to: i’ve stopped giving a fuck), i’ve stopped putting pressure on my outfits for the night. especially with it becoming a more frequent problem to encounter.
there is a notion of the perfect night out. it’s a myth that will have you wheezing and feverish if you try to chase it. in order to appear effortless, you must remove effort. grab a t-shirt and leather pants. maybe cut the shirt and grab a lacy-strapped bra. you will appear effortlessly cool because you are such. one without effort. i’ve been cycling through my arsenal of favorite tees, jeans, and little party tops. once you have your basics down, then the real fun begins.
