Skip to content
 

9 New Ways to Dress for Special Events

Stylish solutions for cocktail parties, reunions, weddings and more

Four women sitting outside drinking wine while talking to each other

SolStock/E+/Getty Images

En español

Dressing up is not the way it used to be. We pair tailored blazers with sporty leggings, fancy blouses with vintage jeans and romantic dresses with edgy leather jackets. Shirts that expose shoulders have replaced cleavage-baring tops; midis substitute for minis; and sandals have pushed nude pantyhose and pumps to the curb. We have a que será, será approach to closet clean-outs, donating and tossing without a tear. But then we review our wardrobe and panic: What do we wear for the next big RSVP or summer e-vite? Relax. “Appropriate attire” at 50 is easier than ever.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.