Dressed-Down Dress-Up: 6 Alternatives to Cocktail Dresses

Sometimes your after-dark activities are low-key — but that doesn’t mean you don't want to look gorgeous. How to dress up for a night out without donning a cocktail dress.

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Dressed-Down Dress Up

Sarah Jessica Parker

Not every evening out is a big to-do requiring hours of primping. Most of the time, you’re going to dinner with friends, out on dates, or entertaining at home. A full-on party look may not be necessary, but you still want to look special and different from your everyday style. So, how to look fancy but not formal? There are a handful of looks that best reveal the sexy-casual- cool combo. From a slinky top with basic pants to a touch of shine paired with something simple, casual evening looks can be easy to pull off.