YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What I ‘dress up for’!

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What I ‘dress up for’! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:14:08 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php marija on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99/page/2#post-2396242 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:51:40 +0000 marija 2396242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You went to the recital?  I WAS THERE!  Did you notice that quite a few people there looked very smart?  I was impressed! I wanted to go to the other three (I think I went to #2) but it didn't work out.  Isn't Randy the sweetest?  He did such a good job!  And I loved his little talks too. I agree about elegant wear.  I need something for a fancy party, and I really don't have much.  I should look for something that will work forever.  There was a great instagram reel of people going to a Toronto Symphony Gala and some women wore amazing dresses.  Really interesting, colourful, artsy and creative. I wish I had that kind of flare! Carla on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99/page/2#post-2396241 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:34:11 +0000 Carla 2396241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well,said, Janet.  Much better expression. Janet on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396216 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:20:27 +0000 Janet 2396216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the concept of “dressing intentionally” rather than “dressing up.” Up implies an event. UmmLila (Lisa) on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396164 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:17:23 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2396164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I dress intentionally for everything, except the odd stop at the shops after a Pilates class. And I do generally wear nice workout clothes too! Murph11 on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396159 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:56:03 +0000 Murph11 2396159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love this post, Carla! Has me wondering if hygienists and dentists realize the percentage of people who "dress" for a teeth-cleaning! I do! Ha ha ha! Sisi on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396146 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:46:41 +0000 Sisi 2396146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting post Carla! I recently decided to dress up as often as possible. I was dressier in the past then progressively became casual/practical. I want to get back to my old style. Being well dressed makes you feel good, right? The problem is that at the moment 80% of my clothes are casual! But I think that a few dressy pieces added to a casual outfit are enough to give a polished look. For example today I "dressed up" to work from home (I added a blue jacket and jewel sandals to a simple white t-shirt & cotton pants outfit). No one will see me, except at the end of the day when I'll go out for some errands, but I feel well put together and happy. Ket on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396128 Mon, 22 Sep 2025 20:12:00 +0000 Ket 2396128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Casual is more challenging for me. Casual for me is a slouchy or loungey type sweater or top with jeans and trainers or flats. Smart to business casual is a nice blouse with nice jeans or pants or a nice dress with heeled boots or pointy toe flats. No matter what level of dress, I will add jewelry and full makeup; sometimes a topper and/or scarf. It all depends on my mood, the style of the outfit, and the occasion. 2 out 3 times I dress up smart casual or business casual (artsy glamorous version of) for: <div> <ul> <li>Weekly homeschool co-op</li> <li>Coffee dates</li> <li>Mom friends' dinner dates</li> <li>Church</li> <li>Weekend trips</li> <li>Doctor appointments</li> <li>Grocery shopping</li> </ul> Weekend trips with Mein Geliebter and Mein Liebersohn are usually more casual.  In the past, I have often wore nicer athleisure for casual wear, or around the house.  </div> Jenni NZ on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396088 Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:06:46 +0000 Jenni NZ 2396088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well I think my opinion will be unpopular and so I have hesitated to post it. I do not regard any outfit with jeans in it or any outfit with sneakers in it as “dressed up”. I can possibly make an exception for MsMary’s pink sparkly sneakers which are the most dressed up sneakers I have ever seen. Now my Skechers are my most worn shoes, it’s just that if I wear them I regard the outfit as inherently casual. You all do you! This is my opinion only. Cee on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396076 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 23:59:23 +0000 Cee 2396076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't dressed up in ages ! The closest was a month ago when I went to dinner wearing a light tan cashmere poloneck, dark denims and a pair of black loafers.  karen23 on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396075 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 23:36:02 +0000 karen23 2396075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>I see all these lists and I realize there are all these different kinds & levels of "dressing up".  Anything from job interviews (and work) before I retired, funerals, memorial services, church, the theater, concerts, concerts outdoors, parties, baby showers, his grandkids' birthday parties, Christmas with the relatives, lunch or dinner at a restaurant, getting my hair done, a serious shopping trip out of town...</div><div> </div> Penny on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396074 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 22:15:45 +0000 Penny 2396074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Right there with Angie - I dress up for everything! Depending on the activity, I have more casual dresses, although I happily wear any day of the week dresses, jewelry, and handbags that would easily work for a wedding. And all of the dresses I own are machine-washable, so it’s easy to care for them. Life’s too short not to enjoy wearing what I love (recognizing that others love a more casual look, and that’s great, too). I do find wearing flats helps keep the look grounded, as Angie noted, and I’ve also conditioned everyone around me for over 20 years now - I think my colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors would be shocked to see me dressed any other way! MsMary on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396073 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:33:39 +0000 MsMary 2396073@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wear shorts and tees (summer) and jeans and sweatshirts/sweaters (winter) at home most of the time, but even those pieces are as cute and coordinated as possible. I dress up every time I leave the house. I enjoy wearing skirts and dresses and I wear them most often when I go out in the evening -- to dinner or to a performance (theatre or music). For daytime errands I like to wear smart casual. I have one meeting or another almost every week (service club or volunteer board) and for those I wear business casual. Carla on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396072 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:30:26 +0000 Carla 2396072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @ Nadine - same!  I DON’T use the entire rod in my small walk-in closet, so hang clothes that have been worn, but aren’t soiled, at that end.  I do try to integrate previously worn items into future outfits in a mix-and-match way.   Nadine on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396048 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:05:47 +0000 Nadine 2396048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love everything about your post, Runcarla, and this entire thread. And Angie, you are always such an inspiration. Your enthusiasm and energy are contagious. A practical question: when I make more effort to dress up (which is still super casual), I seem to wear multiple outfits in a day and end up with loads of clothing that is not ready for a wash yet. What are good ways to handle those items of clothing? RobinF on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396041 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:33:02 +0000 RobinF 2396041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am a casual dresser. My workplace is all men so they don’t care what I wear but I do try to dress in a way that is a little nicer than jeans. But on Friday and weekends I’m in jeans, shorts in the summer, no athleisure. I will dress nicer for a dinner out or theater, that sort of thing, but we don’t do that very often. I don’t mind dressing up but save it for special occasions. One of my favorite parts of cruising is dressing for dinner because it’s so far from my norm. Suntiger on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396040 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:32:46 +0000 Suntiger 2396040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always enjoy your bridge outfits! I agree- no need to dress more casually than I prefer just because others do. Aside from at home or exercizing, I wear smart casual to business casual outfits. In that though, I have a range from simple/minimal to boho/arty/exotic (as I do with my dressier outfits). My excuses to dress up more than that as far as formality level are- work presentations/networking, arty events (plays, concerts, galleries), and anything in places of worship. Star (Lise) on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396038 Sun, 21 Sep 2025 06:26:39 +0000 Star (Lise) 2396038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Same as JAIME. I dress intentionally everyday. Even if just for a walk. Not sure if this is what you mean. Jaime on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396024 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:44:44 +0000 Jaime 2396024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I dress up every day when I leave the house - well not really up, but intentionally. At home I wear super casual clothing that can withstand various challenges from oil and cleaning products, but still in a way that distinguishes me to myself.  Carol on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396007 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:42:45 +0000 Carol 2396007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One of my favorite comfort reads is Lessons from Madame Chic, written by Jennifer L. Scott. It describes all the things she learned from her host family while living in Paris in college.  One of the main ones is that people don't save their nice clothes for special occasions--they wear them everyday.  I loved that, and I adopted it at my last job--a health food store. Instead of investing in a bunch of jeans and tees, I noticed that most of my wardrobe met the safety requirements already. So I would wear dresses, skirts, neck scarves, chandelier earrings, button-downs...I even inspired the nutritional health coach to do the same. "We are wearing all our things!" we would say. Having always been a bit artsy, I will be comfortable in things others aren't. So if and when I want to, I will dress up a bit more than others for...a concert, an art walk, etc.  slim cat on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396006 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:14:19 +0000 slim cat 2396006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I dress up for work mostly. Sadly there is little opportunities besides that - dinner with friends often happens exactly after work .  JAileen on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396005 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:13:41 +0000 JAileen 2396005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>I live in a very casual area.  My winter dress up outfit is jeans, sweater, boots, and a nice coat.  My summer dress up outfit is a dress, a skort and a nice top, or cropped pants and a nice top, all with sandals.</div><div> </div>I dress up for: church concerts  theater performances going out to dinner or lunch parties I don’t dress up for my music classes.  I wear very casual clothes.  Especially my guitar class, I’m lugging my giant guitar, and a tote with my music stand, guitar stand, binder with music and notes.  It’s a lot.  Ukulele class is a little easier, but still a bunch of stuff. Otherwise, in summer I’m in shorts and a sleeveless top (not a tank top) or in winter I’m in hiking pants, a fleece shirt or vest and clogs.   In the olden days, my husband’s office Christmas party was very swanky, with some women looking like they were going to a Hollywood movie premiere.  I tried to look dressy without spending much, buying outfits at the thrift store.  Once I wore a dress I bought for $0.99!  I got a lot of compliments on it, and I enjoyed telling everyone how little I spent. Echo on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396004 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:42:29 +0000 Echo 2396004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I teach in an elementary school, so there really isn't a dress code except for the very basics - no holes in jeans, no spaghetti straps, etc. I "dress up" 90% of the time. I love tulle skirts (people at work call them my princess skirts) and dresses, but I will also shock my coworkers by earing jeans every once in a while, too.  For a long time, I bought clothes for a fantasy lifestyle and never wore them, and then I finally decided that I really, strongly prefer dressy clothes, so I would wear them. Even so, the clothes I wear to ACTUALLY dress up are very different from what I wear to school. Oh, and I've embraced the juxtaposition of sneakers with dressy clothes. Not always, of course, but most of the time I am clocking in around 15K steps at work, so I need to be able to move! Angie on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396002 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:27:11 +0000 Angie 2396002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the shout out, Carla :) I dress up for everything! I have beautiful clothes and I wear them!!!  I wear what some people wear to weddings, for working at home. A casual dress, silk blouse, white jeans, casual skirt, or dressy trousers are "everyday-for-me". Errands, walking doggies, clients, apps, socials, events - I'm out every day. I'm well turned out.  I dress up more when I work with clients, or go to events. What keeps my day-to-day looks casually grounded in my dressy clothes are: <ul> <li>flat shoes </li> <li>cross body bags</li> <li>denim</li> <li>minimal make-up</li> <li>natural hair</li> <li>clear nail polish</li> <li>outfits that move (nothing tight) </li> </ul> I am at my most casual when we go on outdoorsy trips with the doggies. Even then, I am dressier, although very practical. I wear cute loungewear every evening and early morning. I cook a lot too. In which case I scrunch my sleeves and wear a big apron over my daily dressy outfit.  My level of daily dressiness makes me very happy! I would be uncomfortable dressed more casually.  Olive Green on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2396000 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:03:59 +0000 Olive Green 2396000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, words outta my mouth, ladies. I wrote a short story for here yesterday on the subject, then it got lost in the interwebs and now here is the topic… I just attended a gala, dinner, awards, that sort of thing, and there was NO dress code. Casualization after many years of being semi formal.  I had managed to wear my semi `formal capsule of long navy sleeveless dress, now two sizes two big, and a nice concealing navy blazer with pin. I had brought out a small burgundy satchel, never worn, and bought burgundy flats to match.  It looked fine, a little more dressy than others, but DH was in a suit and we are old, so old school it was.  So I came home and ordered a drapey button down blouse and matching dark brown ankle pants. It will be nice with dark chocolate loafers, also new. That would have been good, with accessories, for that occasion and many of the ones mentioned by other retired women.  A hole filled for the next occasion.  Smart casual it is.  Thanks, needed the words.  Irina on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2395995 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:02:01 +0000 Irina 2395995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wear smart casual clothes for: out for dinner or lunch with friends once a month visit to the art gallery/museum  shopping (clothing, shoes but not groceries) Casual or daytime concerts hairdresser/aesthetician  doctor/dentist visiting friends  I wear casual clothes for: daily walks grocery shopping manicure/pedicure pool lunch out with DH in our neighborhood  taking my grandson to a park or playground  I started to edit and organize what I wear at home. Must meet certain requirements like not attracting cat’s hair. Work in progress but I’m committed to update and upgrade my lounge wear.  LJP on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2395991 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:42:34 +0000 LJP 2395991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like everyone else commenting here, I'm happy to "dress up " to go out of the house.  I really miss having to dress up for work but I do my best to do so within the parameters given .  I don't dress up at home though - mostly because I have two cats who leave hair everywhere they go. I can vacuum and delint every day but there is still hair somewhere.  Plus I'm usually doing housework or cooking or working out so ..... I will dress up for special dinners at home with family though!  And you really hit on something , Sally , with noting that looking at unworn clothes in your closet can create a false sense of being bored with them.   Dee on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2395983 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:29:20 +0000 Dee 2395983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, I long for the days when people dressed up a bit more. Luckily, where I live, most people seem to make a bit of an effort, even just going to the grocery store. I dress up for going shopping, meeting friends for tea, family gatherings, travel, dinner at a restaurant, library visit, doctor, or dentist appointments. It's basically smart casual. Most often, one of my various jean styles combined with a button-up or a nice top, belt, and a topper. If I lived in a more downtown urban setting, I might be a little more daring with my fashion, but this suits my comfort level and environmental norm. Janet on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2395982 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:25:17 +0000 Janet 2395982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, I so relate to this. I decided long ago, after my first couple years of self-employment, that I was not going to spend every day at home in sweats. It makes it too easy to feel like a shlub and to not leave the house. It makes me feel less motivated and productive, too. I’ve always erred on the side of being a little more dressed up than the norm, even as far back as high school, when I liked wearing plaid midi skirts and platform heels (I can still envision the exact items I loved!) some days, and jeans and sneakers on others. I got used to people asking me why I was so dressed up, but no one ever says anything anymore. These days I have a baseline of polish when I’m leaving the house, but some days I just want to wear something nice that happens to read a little more “dressed up.” This could be for anything, really. Grocery store and other shopping runs, errands like going to the cleaners, dropping off or picking up materials for my customer jobs, going into my studio for work (not as frequently as I used to, I mostly work at home now), doctor/dentist appointments, meals or coffee out, art-related meetups and events, get-togethers with friends, meetings with my HOA colleagues, happy hours with my Pilates friends, volunteer gigs, etc. I’ve got so many fab clothes, it would be a shame to let wearing opportunities slip by! Suz on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2395976 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 05:10:32 +0000 Suz 2395976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cheers, Carla! I'm 100% with you here.  I dress up to different levels. For teaching days, I wil wear smart casual. I do wear jeans to work but only nicer ones, and more often I wear trousers or a skirt. If I do wear jeans, there will be a more formal element to the outfit elsewhere, e.g. the top and/or topper and footwear.  I dress up in a similar way for appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) and for lunch or dinner and/or drinks and/or theatre/ music with friends or Mr. Suz.  I dress up for professional appearances in person or on Zoom. The level of formality will obviously vary with the venue and location and purpose of the event. And, like you, I dress up when I travel -- my daily level of formality is higher when I am in a city vs. in the suburbs. Activities differ so my clothing differs.  I also dress up for "at home" date night. That might involve my flocked pants or a velvet top and jeans in winter -- nothing over the top, but just a little special.  Lisa on "What I ‘dress up for’!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-i-%e2%80%98dress-up-for%e2%80%99#post-2395969 Sat, 20 Sep 2025 03:19:50 +0000 Lisa 2395969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You've got a great strategy for your lifestyle, milk it! I don't have many occasions to dress up for but they are: -work meetings -out to dinner or holiday's with friends/family -shopping at the mall -whenever I feel like it and I'm leaving the house I like fashion and nice things and since I don't get many occasions to get dressed up, sometimes I'll dress up just because I'm in the mood to do so! I've been known to sport a suit (with sneakers) or a blazer with jeans simply to go food shopping or post office. Many of the summer dresses I added to my wardrobe over the past season were worn for running errands and WFH. I could wear athleisure instead (and sometimes I do) but it can also be nice to change things up and wear a dress, jeans, etc. on some days, even if DH and I are the only one's who see the outfit that day. If I'm leaving the house, it's definitely an excuse to get dressed up, even if it's not for anything special. Life is too short, I try to remember to wear my nice things whenever the mood strikes (and to be careful not to buy too many nice things because I don't dress up every day and I don't want clothes to sit unworn).  Sal also makes a great point above, it's easy to get sick of clothes that hang in the closet unworn. I often wonder if that's because you still get visual fatigue from seeing an item in the closet all of the time, even if you aren't actually wearing it.