The 6 Night-Out Formulas I Swear By

Getting a “What are you wearing tonight?” text used to raise my blood pressure. Every Friday night was the same scene: I slammed my laptop shut at 5 p.m., and by 5:06, my entire closet was strewn across my bedroom. After college, I spent way too much time trying to figure out my personal style, only to keep reverting to the same baggy jeans and tiny tops that carried me through my early 20s. A few years later—with more wisdom—I finally cracked the code on what works for me in every aspect of my wardrobe, including the always-looming going-out looks.

These six combinations almost gamify getting ready for a night out. When the clock is ticking and you need to get out the door, you can always fall back on these six classics.