How to Look Good for a Party

Co-authored by Candace Hanna

Last Updated: October 23, 2022 References Approved

Everyone always wants to look and feel their best at social events, especially parties. No matter what type of event it is, chances are you will be meeting new people and seeing familiar faces that you will want to impress. Looking great at a party will help you make positive impressions and give you the confidence needed to have a great time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Planning for the Party

1
Groom your hands and feet. Finger nails can play a big role in your overall look. Before the day of the party, make sure you clean up your fingernails. This includes trimming your nails and removing old nail polish.^{[1]
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- If you are wearing shoes that show your toes, be sure to clean up your toenails as well.
- Girls, try finding a pretty nail polish shade that compliments the outfit you will be wearing.
2
Make a hair appointment. If you have not had a recent haircut, at least in the past six weeks, be sure to make an appointment so you can trim off any split ends or shape up your current style.
- If you dye your hair make sure you touch up your roots.
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3
Figure out how to get there. Planning your transportation will prevent any unnecessary stress when getting ready for your party. If possible, try carpooling with a friend who is also going.
- See how far away the party is so you can leave yourself plenty of time to arrive.
- If you are wearing a more detailed hairstyle with products, take a car to protect your hair.
- Depending on where the party is can help you decide to walk, ride a bike, take public transportation, or drive.
4
Schedule the party in your planner. Find out if there is anything already happening in your schedule the day of the party that you need to arrange for. You may also want to write down the date of the party to prevent the conflict of double-booking yourself.
- If needed, plan for a babysitter in advance.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Putting Together an Outfit

1
Find out the dress code. Don't wait until the night of the party to figure out what you are going to wear. It is helpful to plan at least a few days in advance to prevent rushing around to find an outfit. If you can, ask the host of the party or a friend what the dress code is like so you know if you need to dress formal or casual. Here are some key pieces of your outfit to plan.^{[2]
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- If it's casual, consider jeans and a nice shirt.
- If it's formal, wear a fancier button up shirt or blouse, dress, slacks, or a tie.
- If you're outside on a warm day, dress in lighter fabric so you don't get too hot.
2
Choose a classic look. If you can't figure out exactly what the dress code is because you don't know the host or you don't want to ask your date, there are looks you can find that are timeless and work for almost any occasion.
- Girls can always depend on the little black dress. Find a simple black dress that is knee length. You can add a necklace and heels to dress up the look or wear flats to keep it casual.
- Depending on the season, be sure to dress appropriately to the temperature outside.
3
Coordinate with friends. If you have friends or a date who are also attending the party, you can plan together so that you look good as a group, but don't match too much by wearing the same outfits.
- If going with a date, try matching the color of his tie to the color of her dress.
4
Create the perfect outfit. Think about the types of clothes that are most flattering on you. Everyone has a unique body type and finding the clothes that best suit you will help you look and feel even more amazing.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- Be sure to wear clothes that fit well and aren't too tight so that you don't have to tamper with them all night.
- Try to balance out the silhouette of your outfit. If you're wearing a loose top, wear fitted bottoms, and vice versa.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Candace Hanna
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.}
- Pick something that makes you feel confident.
- Don't choose anything that has a stain or tear in the fabric.
- Black is flattering on every body type, but don't be afraid to wear color!
5
Wear comfy shoes. If you have a favorite pair of shoes but they hurt your feet, leave them at home. Whether you decide on heels, sneakers, or flats, make sure your feet are comfortable, especially if it is a dance party. Chances are you will be keeping your shoes on and you want to be able to feel good at the party.
- Coordinate your footwear with the rest of your outfit. If you're dressed more formally, your shoes should also be formal.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Ready the Day of the Party

1
Start getting ready early. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare (you'll need at least an hour, depending on how fast you can get ready). By giving yourself enough time, you can do everything you want without rushing and messing up your hair, makeup, or outfit. Start early to avoid stress! Here are tasks you can do earlier in the day and not last minute.
- Iron your clothes.
- Choose the hairstyle you want to wear.
- Be sure you have everything you want to bring with you ready.
2
Clean up. It is important to take a shower and brush your teeth so that you look and feel your best. Wash your body, face, hair, and shave if needed.You may want to do this a few hours before everything else, that way you'll give your hair time to air-dry.
- Apply a moisturizer to you face and body so your skin looks great and feels hydrated.
- Use deodorant; chances are you'll be sweating a bit.
- If wearing perfume or cologne, make sure you don't over spray. Pump a couple of sprays in front of you and then gently step into the scent so that it covers your whole body lightly.
3
Style your hair. Depending on the event, you may want a more styled look that requires products and a bit more time to complete. There are many great online tutorials that offer steps on how to create the hairstyle you want. ^{[5]
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- Girls: Blow dry your hair and straighten it, curl it, braid it, or scrunch it. If you have naturally beautiful hair or you like your natural texture, wear it as is. If you want, accessorize with a cute headband or hair clip.
- Guys: Brush your hair. If you'd like, apply a bit of gel in it so it stays nice, just make sure not to put on too much. If you want, throw a hat on as well.
4
Finish the look with makeup. If you want, put on some makeup to polish your party look. What you wear is up to you. If the party is during the daytime and outside, a lighter makeup look will work best.^{[6]
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- For a simple look, try using some lipgloss and blush.
- For a nighttime party, consider experimenting with eyeshadow, eyeliner, or mascara for a bolder look.
5
Check yourself before you leave the house. Make sure you have everything needed for the night such as your wallet, keys, and cell phone. Also, remember that less is more. Having too much of something can be a bad thing including perfume, accessories, and items in your purse/bag.
- It is always a smart idea for girls to take off one piece of jewelry before they leave, this prevents an overdone look.
- If you are wearing lipstick, remember to bring the tube with you so you can reapply it later if needed.
6
Have a positive attitude. Remember that the best thing you can wear to a party is a smile and good attitude. Leave all of your troubles and concerns at home and simply try to enjoy yourself. People like to spend time with those who are smiling and happy, so try to bring the best version of yourself to the party.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can guys look attractive at parties?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You could wear a button-up collar shirt with nice dress slacks. Dark-wash jeans also work great.
Question

Do I have to wear trendy clothes to a party?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Focus on wearing something that works for your body type and makes you feel comfortable instead of worrying about what's fashionable and trendy.
Question

What bottoms should I wear with a boxy top?

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Candace Hanna is a stylist and style expert based in Southern California. With 16 years of experience in the corporate fashion and personal styling realms, she runs Style by Candace, a personal styling agency that focuses on helping individuals find their personal expression through clothing. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Shoutout LA and VoyageLA.

Candace Hanna

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

With a boxier top, you want something that's a bit more fitted on the bottom to create balance. You don't want your outfit to be boxy on top and also boxy on the bottom.