For what occasions/events would you get all dressed up?

In My Humble Opinion
1

For simplicity, let’s define “all dressed up” as putting more thought and effort into your attire than for your normal activities, whatever they may be.

Even before I retired, I led a very casual life. Fortunately, the dress code at work permitted me to wear non-blue jean pants and most tops as long as they weren’t revealing or classified as graphic T’s. So dressing up might involve my one dress, or one of a couple of nicer pant suits, and nice loafers or flats instead of sneaks or oxfords - I don’t own any high heels.

Funerals and weddings definitely require nicer attire. On the rare occasions at work when I got an award and I knew there would be photos, I’d step it up a notch from my usual. And once a year when my mom invites us out for a really nice dinner in a fancy-pants restaurant, I’ll pass on the jeans.

I suppose if I got an invite to the White House or something really special, like an appearance on The Daily Show, I might even buy something new. But that’s about it. We don’t go to the opera or to balls or to red-carpet premieres and most of our family events are very laid-back. It’s pretty funny to see me in photos all gussied up as a kid, in a hat and little white gloves and shiny new shoes and purse - I don’t miss the 50s and 60s.

2

I guess I am *always *“gussied up,” then. My everyday wear is a sweater set and skirt, a dress, or a suit, with nice-looking comfortable walking flats. When I know I am meeting a friend for dinner, or going to a show or museum . . . well, that outfit works there too, though I might put on one of my nicer dresses, and throw a pair of heels in my bag.

My clothes are always low-key and casual (no glittery, tight or revealing outfits) and always comfortable, but I just don’t do jeans or sneakers.

3

I’ve been trying to dress up more at work to look more promotable, but I guess that isn’t really what you’re asking.

I love dressing up! If I’m going out for a nice dinner and not going straight from work I always dress up for it, and for things like the symphony. We went out last weekend to celebrate my boyfriend moving in and I wore seamed stockings and a cocktail hat, even.

4

If the queen of England was coming to visit, I suppose I might buy a dress or skirt.

I have a black suit coat and a pair of nice black slacks in case any close family members kick the bucket. I don’t have any heels but I have a pair of Eastlands that I could wear to a funeral in a pinch.

I hate dressing up.

5

I assume that’s *all *you wore, yes?

6

Well, that took this thread in an unexpected direction… and it made me laugh aloud! :smiley:

7

I’m usually all dressed up (by the standards of this board) in that I wear a tie, dress shirt, slacks, etc as part of my everyday wear, including weekends. Occasions that make me dress down include:

house cleaning, especially involving chemicals
house work (painting, cutting the grass, cleaning the garage)
exercise (even though I have bicycling clothes for that)

I have 1 t-shirt and 2 pairs of shorts.

8

Ha! Eventually. But I took the hat off because I didn’t want to squish it. :slight_smile:

9

As soon as I leave the house, I’m dressed up. When I was fat, I had to dress up so I would still look as nice as possible. Now that I have a good figure, I still dress up. Mostly because I can, now, and the novelty hasn’t worn off, yet.

I kinda believe that I need to look dressed up and/or sexy, because my socials skills aren’t that good and beauty somewhat compensates for that.

10

Put me in the “likes to dress up” camp. Even when I’m dressed casually, I try to look sharp and put together. I just don’t care to look like a slob.

11

I’m not sure how to answer this. If I’m going to work, I wear dress shirts, pants, and ties even in the summer, and full suits from autumn to mid-spring; I just feel most comfortable that way. I’d never wear less than a full suit to a wedding or funeral, but that doesn’t signal a change from my Monday-to-Friday attire except that for the wedding (or other fancy party) I’ll wear more festive colors.

I’ll put on a tux at any reasonable excuse.

Another reason to always dress up at work is that, if you reach the point that you decide to look elsewhere and start going to interviews midday, it’s not nearly as noticeable when you’re dressed nicely.

12

I “dress up” for all sorts of activities. For comparison, my baseline dress for “normal activities” (working my retail job, cleaning house, having enough clothing on to not embarrass a delivery person) is a t-shirt, casual pants, Chucks.

Full suit with dress shirt and tie, dress shoes, and when weather-appropriate, a full overcoat and scarf : awards ceremonies, formal dinners, more strait-laced church services, funerals, weddings, business and grad school interviews, business luncheons and dinners, formal dates, etc.

Semi-dressy (fitted dress shirt, dress pants, dress shoes, a tie when appropriate, sport coat in cool weather, wool pea coat in cold): clubs, regular dates, teaching class (can go down a notch in formality), work- and university-related social functions.

Casual (fitted dress shirt that may not be buttoned up, dressy t-shirt, casual sport coat in cooler weather, khakis/chinos/dress pants, nice-but-not-dressy shoes): dancing, casual dates, teaching class, attending class, running errands.

…I like dressing up. Took a date out for brunch the other day, and she and I decided to dress to the nines for it. I was in a brand-new suit, she was in a brand-new little black dress. We looked out of place in the restaurant, but we had serious fun.

13

I love dressing up, and since my work attire is now… well, lets just say if I want to leave the house I need to find alternate clothing, I tend to look for more opportunities to do so.

Unfortunately that conflicts rather dreadfully with my husband whose first question when an outing is suggested is “I don’t have to dress up do I?” As a result girls dinners are often quite fancy :slight_smile:

14

I hate dressing up. I own my own business and typically do not meet my own (very lax) dress code. I wear clean clothes, but jeans and a Hawaiian shirt are my daily attire.

I do not go to funerals (unless there is absotively no way around it), so that isn’t an issue. I now own a generic suit, and if needed I will put it on, but I’m far more likely to find an excuse than to attend a formal occasion.

15

I put more thought into my attire than normal for going to church, but not much more: The things I typically wear to church are all things I sometimes also wear every day; I just try to pick one of my nicer everyday outfits for church.

When I’m scheduled to be a eucharistic minister for church, then I wear dress slacks, shirt, and tie, and when I’m lectoring, I also add a jacket, if it’s not too warm.

I also dress up for church on Christmas and Easter, and for any sort of ceremonial event (weddings, funerals, etc.). And I might dress up for a date (depending on the nature of the date). But that’s about it.

16

Funerals and weddings. That’s it. I can where pretty much whatever I want to work including shorts and sandals.

Mostly I just wear jeans and boots or running shoes because of our long winters.

I despise dressing up.

17

I really like dressing up, as long as I stay comfortable.

I don’t wear jeans any more at all - usually khakis or black slacks, sometimes with a blousy top or just a t-shirt. I wear boots instead of sneakers. I dunno, I just like it better. I dress every day what most people would consider ‘‘business casual.’’

Sometimes I feel like it can be a bit over the top though. My husband’s family is known for implementing a suit and tie/evening dress code at every holiday or event. We’re going to fly out there next weekend for Grandpa’s 80th Birthday - black tie and evening gown required. It gets tedious. I remember one family vacation I had to buy six formal evening gowns. The food is usually worth it, though.

18

ALL dressed up (a dress, girly shoes, makeup, jewelry, and “done” hair) is for weddings, banquets and the like.

I dress more nicely for church or dinner out than I do for work. Usually black dress pants, shoes with some heel, and a blouse (as opposed to a shirt). For special dinner date type evenings I’ll go with makeup and jewelry.

I like getting dressed up, but probably since I only get to do it once every eighteen months.

19

When my mother was dying in 1990, I bought a suit. Wore it once. When my daughter got married in 1994, my wife and me daughter had a fit at the thought of my wearing a 1990s vintage suit. Rather can cause a crisis, I bought another suit. The first one was worn once and has in the meantime gone to a charity. I wore the second one a few weeks ago when a friend got married. Maybe I will buried in it.

Some times if we are going out to a fancy restaurant, I will wear my black jeans. Even a jacket. Never a tie.

20

Weddings, funerals, maybe ceremonies - I dressed up for my friend’s graduation.