Evening wardrobe ideas

[Rufustherednosedreindeer]

I am fed up of having to nip to the shops every time I have a night out. I never think "ooh I know what I will wear" I never have anything suitable

What do you lovely ladies do? I like to look smart but there is pub with friends smart, pub Christmas/birthday do smart. Restaurant smart, club/wine bar smart. Dinner dance smart, smart casual smart, oh my god my head hurts!

There are masses of events and I don't want to have a complete wardrobe full but it would be nice to have some go to items

So any thoughts would be gratefully received

I had this 'moment' a few years ago and realised i wanted to be able to dress for restaurant night out, smart lunch, whatever, spontaneously ... Not least because living in the sticks means that spontaneous shopping isn't always possible.
My solution was to haunt Hobbs outlet for a while to pick up some bargains while the 'pressure' was off. I now have a smart pair of black trousers (Hobbs) (ones that don't end up being used for the school run because my jeans are in the wash), a pair of plain black court shoes with a non scary heel (got them from Boden - 60s ones I think), a cream lace top from Phase eight (utterly ancient), a slightly sparkly skirt from jigsaw sale a couple of years ago that works with a plain black jumper or a dressier top for smarter dos (have worn to a wedding), and a proper red knee length cocktail dress - again Hobbs outlet, and a plain black leather clutch (loads of them around this year, eg Gap). With plain tops, a well fitting white shirt, a grey sparkly top and a plain black jersey maxi skirt from my real wardrobe, that lot has covered everything for a few years.

Hope that helps. It seems quite a lot of stuff I don't wear that much now I write it down but it works for me. It also makes sales shopping more fun!

Ooh that's a good idea sonotkylie I really like the sparkly skirt which you can dress up and down and I was thinking about a clutch bag. At the moment I end I'll nicking my 12 year olds bags!!

Might need to make my self a sales list

This year I decided that I wanted a wardrobe of going out clothes too so that I didn't have to spontaneously shop and panic buy. I have a pair of cropped black trousers (gap) and a few blouses-black lace, navy, white and a sequinned top and sequinned cardi. I've got a couple of pair of heels- very high, kitten heel and block heel. I've Also got a black wrap dress.

Think about styles you like. Separates are good if they can mix and match to make different outfits or buy a plain dress which can be worn with different shoes/jewellery.

I think the key is to be comfortable in your style.

If you prefer smart trousers and a blouse then go for that look.

If you love dresses then go for that.

I am a dress person so have several dresses. They vary according to how dressey they are. some are fine for a summer stroll, others full on cocktail party/black tie.

I think the key at the moment is a good pair of cropped trousers, shoes, and a variety of tops for different occasions

I do have a couple of good dresses but they are either summer or winter, I think I need something inbetween

I'm always quite low key as I prefer under dressed to over dressed.
I have black cigarette pants, cream blouse, black suede heels and Black leather clutch as one option.
I have a very simple black long sleeve dress, animal print clutch purse and matching animal print pointy toed and wedge heeled ankle boots.
Finally I have a pleather pencil skirt, navy stripe fitted breton and red heeled courts and a metallic shoulder bag.
These outfits generally cover all outings at this time of year.

Thanks scarlett most times it's just the pub (even then it's nice to make an effort) but I am getting stuck when it's a work do or a friend suggests a nightclub

May be easier to change friends! I am deffo going for the cigarette trousers, I just bought a very loud pair from River Island which fit (not all of them do!) but it needs a plain but glamorous too to go with it

Oh yes, its also key to have friends in different groups so you can re wear everything!
Whatever you get, it must fit beautifully, flatter and make you feel fantastic! But if you are shopping in advance for a few things, its much easier not to panic and buy something that 'will do'. And if you are buying in the sales, then you can buy better quality stuff. With me, I think the big thing was having shoes and a bag that worked with everything I have as before I might have had the outfit but no shoes or bag to work with it.
Enjoy yourself!

Great advice already. Would add to not rush it, or panic buy anything. The your time and buy stuff when you find it, not when you need it in a rush! You can build up a nice collection over the next few years rather than buying a job lot of stuff that will just 'do'

scarlet - those outfits sound gorgeous!

I am absolutely going to take myself in hand this coming year

Thanks for all your advice

I tend to wear a dress, usually back but I recently bought a navy jersey blazer for pub type occasions with jeans

I am on the lookout for a smart batwing type jumper to wear with chunky jewellery, I hate panic buying!!