Question: Every weekend I go through the same routine: What will I wear to dinner? What will I wear out dancing? And every weekend I end up wearing the same outfit:
Jeans and a tank top with a black blazer. I don’t feel cute or dressed up when I go out. Most of what I wear, I can get away with wearing during the day on a nice summer afternoon. I’m in need of serious fashion advice and tips on cute, classy, and trendy ideas on night life outfits and tops. What are some good outfits and where can I buy them? —JK
Answer: Ah yes, the jeans/tank top rut. Been there, done that (and still do it on occasion!) There’s no harm wearing the tried-and-true if it makes you feel great, but you’ve admitted to feeling uncute, so here are three completely new party outfits to help you break away from the boring. Consider this part one of my answer. In part two, I’ll cover cute going-out tops that will breathe new life into your old jeans. And for more great outfit ideas, definitely check out the celebrity style section of my blog; I feature celebs mostly to show how their stylists piece together simple yet stylish ensembles, then I break it down for the budget-babe set.
Now, on to the outfits!
1. Dresses. One piece and you’re done. Well, almost. You will of course need to shave and you will need shoes—possibly jewelry and a matching handbag—but other than that: One piece, and you’re done.
2. Short shorts. Swap your jeans for chic black shorts and add a loose-fitting top that covers the waist, yet still allows you to see the shorts underneath, lest onlookers wonder, “Is she wearing any pants?”
3. Skirt + tank top. There’s a skirt shape to flatter every figure; pick yours in a bright hue or stylish print and pair it with a simple, solid tank (or tee if you’d prefer to cover some arm).
Where to shop for “going-out” clothes on a budget:
Do you ever find yourself in a clothes rut? Which look would you totally wear for a night out on the town?
Guest blog submitted by the Budget Babe
dahlia / 2012 posts
I wouldn’t wear any of those outfits.
That first outfit would be terrible for anyone with even the slightest of hips. What a strange, unflattering shape that dress is. The second one wouldn’t look good on me because the top has no shape and would accentuate my wide shoulders too much, and the shorts are too short. If I were Heidi Klum, I’m sure it would look fabulous (but then again, what doesn’t Heidi Klum look good in?). The third outfit is just weird; “ghetto tennis match” comes to mind.
guest
The blue dress reminds me of an oompa loompa xD
guest
Ew. not cute.
guest
It’s possible to find cute clothes and look cute without a heavy price tag. And I do shop at half of the stores listed for some cheap/cute items. But I agree with methodElevated…
Those outfits shown in this entry are hideous and LOOK cheap. What you wanna do is look cute and if you’re on a budget, you don’t want to flaunt that your outfit is cheap. Gotta hide it.
guest
I thought this was a great post! I would definitely wear the dress. Thanks for the tips and links also!
orchid / 129 posts
Torrid and Express are anything BUT cheap!
Check out Deb and Rave too.
guest
im sorry but that blue dress is hideous
guest
if i went out this might be helpful…
guest
Express = AMAZING. I love their clothes. Wetseal and Charlotte Russe are also good & the prices are pretty cheap which is another good thing.
Armani Exchange has some cute tops and skirts but I only buy them when they’re on sale or clearance. I can’t afford to spend $70 on a friggin’ skirt -___-
guest
Umm Express and Arden B. are not cheap! Even though I love Express.
guest
I think the outfits you put together are cute!
guest
I only like outfit #2. I do that all the time.
guest
i always find myself in clothing rut when i’m going out, i love to go back through my closet and find cute things to put together but sometimes it’s nice to get something new and since i don’t live too far from the mall, i usually go to mall before i head home and buy at least one new item. though i’ll bargain shop, like either forever 21 or charlotte russe or even the clearance racks at nordstrom rack. when i go out, it’s usually in a dress or dressy shorts since it’s always nice at night in california.
guest
I like the idea** of the pieces you put together
BUT I dont like the item you’ve chosen
guest
depends on where im going and whom im going with. i like #2 the best especially the shorts. love love love forever 21, wet seal, express, bebe and sometimes old navy.
orchid / 173 posts
I like the shorts outfit. It looks cute and comfy, but not as boring as jeans.
guest
… cute articles of clothing.. just horribly pieced together
guest
none of those outfits would work on my body but if I woke up and those were the only 3 outfits in my closet, I’d wear the dress despite the fact it has the wierd pleating at the hips.
guest
forever 21 is definitely a great place to look for clothes to go out with
dahlia / 2942 posts
Haha I’m surprised Target is on that list.
guest
Now that is UGLY lol
guest
I only like the second outfit…a little lol. The rest are hideous. I work every weekend and attend college so I don’t have to worry about the “What will I wear out to dinner or out dancing?” crap.